With a vision to phase out traditional cigarette brands in favour of healthier alternatives, Philip Morris International has invested billions of dollars into the research and development of its IQOS range of devices, which heats instead of burns tobacco. 5 Dec 2018
The moment you provide the South African consumer with what they need, they will start purchasing whatever you are selling. This was the main message from trend analyst Nicola Cooper when she delivered a tailored trend talk on the localisation of global trends at the recent ATF Trade Expo, which was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. 4 Dec 2018
Traditional brick-and-mortar retailers have no chance of surviving the onslaught from e-commerce unless they invest in their customer experience. This is according to redPanda Software group CEO Gareth Hawkey, who explains that traditional retailers must compete with e-commerce providers by gathering insights and learning about their customers and their behaviour. 4 Dec 2018
Unilever will acquire the Health Food Drinks portfolio (GSK HFD) of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in India, Bangladesh and 20 other predominantly Asian markets for $3.8billion. GSK HFD is a leader in the Health Food Drinks category in India, with popular brands such as Horlicks and Boost. 4 Dec 2018
Sears did more than pioneer the mail-order catalogue over a century ago. The iconic retailer helped make America a more inclusive place at a time when Jim Crow was rampant and women couldn't even vote. 3 Dec 2018
While shopping centres and stores are preparing for the festive season rush by investing in advertising, marketing and merchandising, an often overlooked aspect of retail is staff training. This is according to Laure Schonfeld, a Human Resources professional, entrepreneur, training development specialist and self-proclaimed 'global shopper'. 3 Dec 2018
Jacques Vermeulen has been appointed group CEO of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), effective from 1 December 2018. 3 Dec 2018
Online sales over the extended Black Friday-Cyber Monday weekend exceeded figures for 2017. This is according to African automated payments clearing house BankservAfrica, which processed a total of 581,189 online transactions over the period. 3 Dec 2018
On her breakthrough 1963 debut album, Streisand resurrected a Cole Porter gem 'Come to the Supermarket'. Malta may not be the old Peking of the lyric but it has the German supermarket brand whose range and diversity is as exotic to South African eyes - and tastebuds - as the one extolled in Barbra's virtuoso Grammy-winning recording. 30 Nov 2018
In #FreshOnTheShelf, we round up some of our favourite food and beverage products that have hit the shelves recently. 30 Nov 2018
The Environ Skin Care success story is far from over. The almost 30-year-old homegrown brand has just notched up its latest achievement by being named the Top Medical Skin Care Company in the 2018 Aesthetic Everything Aesthetic and Cosmetic Medicine Awards, a global competition run from the USA which is voted on by consumers. 29 Nov 2018
With sustainability and recycling on the legislative agenda globally, it's only a matter of time before non-sustainable practices are met with penalties and brands are taking preventative measures. 29 Nov 2018
South African company Afro Girl has just released the multilingual Hunadi doll, which speaks speaks in 4 of South Africa's 11 official languages. Hunadi comes dressed in traditional pink shweshwe clothing and wears locally handmade leather shoes and accessories, while her packaging unfolds into a dollhouse. 29 Nov 2018
Cyber Monday is online retailers' response to the bricks-and-mortar marketing push of Black Friday. Online shopping is only set to increase, as smartphones and apps continue to capture more of the market. 29 Nov 2018
Africa Trade Week, to be held from 23 to 25 June 2019 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, will see the co-location of three exhibitions, resulting in one huge trade fair to highlight pan-African business opportunities, products, services, equipment, supplies, innovations, technology and solutions. 28 Nov 2018
Rowan Leibbrandt, founder of premium drinks company Truman & Orange, travels the world in search of high quality, interesting boutique liquor brands to introduce to the local market. 28 Nov 2018
Heineken South Africa is pleased to announce the appointment of Millicent Maroga as its Corporate Affairs Director. Maroga is member of the company's management team, reporting to Managing Director Gerrit van Loo. 28 Nov 2018
DigiSwipe is a digital wallet that replaces all your traditional barcoded cards using a single app. Users enjoy the app free of charge and simultaneously contribute to the environment by no longer requiring plastic cards. 28 Nov 2018
Fashion retail giant H&M is closing its struggling independent brand Cheap Monday, which is known for its low-priced skinny jeans. 28 Nov 2018
In-store retail spending over the Black Friday shopping period this year dropped by 10% compared to 2017, while sales volumes decreased by 2%. This is according to data from retail management platform Vend, which powers hundreds of small-to-medium and independent retail stores across Africa. 28 Nov 2018
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