Large flower artworks made from recycled plastic waste are the focal point of Woolworths' Christmas window displays in the retailer's top 15 stores. 7 Dec 2018
The cost of load shedding to the South African economy is becoming apparent as whole shopping malls close for hours at a time at the height of the December shopping season. 7 Dec 2018
There is currently a grand consensus of academics, policymakers and food campaign groups that "something must be done" to reduce food wastage. Malnutrition is real, but so too is the obesity crisis. But when everyone agrees, you can afford to be a little sceptical. Because food is about much more than just calories and nutrients. Food is also part of a wider cycle of products and services that we consume - and they also play a part in this story. 6 Dec 2018
Advances in telecommunication technology have transformed the tools used for marketing and consumerism and ultimately, the way that businesses operate. The Statista 2017 Report indicated that the number of smartphone users in the United States is estimated to have reached 224.3 million, with smartphone users worldwide exceeding 2 billion. Undoubtedly, we are running headlong into the end of the industrial era of consumption and into a consumer power-shift. 6 Dec 2018
Coca-Cola Africa has committed to investing $38million (more than half a billion rand) over three years to stimulate recycling industries across Southern and Eastern Africa, and also announced its new PET bottle made entirely out of previously used plastic. 6 Dec 2018
Four men were arrested when 200 workers demonstrated on Wednesday in front of the Dis-Chem store in Canal Walk, Cape Town. Workers are demanding better wages and working conditions and the recognition of their union. 6 Dec 2018
French luxury fashion brand Chanel has initiated a ban on the use of exotic animal skins in all future designs. The skins in question include crocodile, lizard, snake and stingray, as well as fur, of which Chanel uses little. 5 Dec 2018
Western children have more toys, games and possessions than ever before. And Australia has one of the highest rates of average spending per child on toys. Faced with a glut of children's toys at home, more and more parents are presenting gift cards in lieu of presents. 5 Dec 2018
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
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