Recession, economic uncertainty, political upheaval - these factors, among many others, are playing havoc with retail stability and longevity around the world. In the United Kingdom, well-known brands such as House of Fraser and Orla Kiely have either gone into administration or closed down. 30 Jan 2019
Prague, the historic capital of the Czech Republic, is to host the Bata Fashion Weekend 2019. This year, as the brand also celebrates its 125-year anniversary, the event will take place on 12-14 April at Žofín Palace. 30 Jan 2019
Technology and changing customer demographics have set a new stage for retail. Success today is defined by the ability to keep up, or get out in front of, trends that are driving consumer purchases. 30 Jan 2019
The country's franchising industry has grown from contributing 13,3% to the South African Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2017 to its current figure of 15,7%, despite the tough economic climate and its impact on franchises, according to a recent survey conducted by the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA). 29 Jan 2019
Significant global and local societal shifts marked 2018. Now more than ever, FMCG brands that clearly communicate their identity and what they stand for will win going forward. 29 Jan 2019
We enter 2019 with vigour and great excitement for yet another year of fueling the human flame at Varsity Cup 2019. We kicked the ball off with a beautiful launch to this year's tournament, at Crown Plaza, Rosebank, Johannesburg. 29 Jan 2019
Uber Eats shares the most popular foods among its South African users for 2018, and the food trend it predicts for 2019. 29 Jan 2019
Apollo Brands, the official distributor of Under Armour in South Africa, has just launched connected fitness in South Africa. 29 Jan 2019
Global processing and packaging firm Tetra Pak has a new CEO. 28 Jan 2019
Bricks-and-mortar retail stores are under intense pressure from online competition. Feeling the most heat are clothes shops and department stores. 28 Jan 2019
Amazon is field testing a new delivery robot called Scout, which the company describes as a "fully-electric delivery system" designed to safely get packages to customers using autonomous delivery devices. 28 Jan 2019
Beer-lovers across the country will be celebrating the third South African National Beer Day on 2 February this year. Held annually on the first Saturday in February, the day sees a series of beer-related events being at breweries from Franschhoek to Woodstock, Pretoria to Rustenberg, Clarens to Nottingham Road, and more. 25 Jan 2019
United Kingdom - Christmas may seem like a distant memory, but retailers won't forget it in a hurry: it was the worst on the UK high street since 2008. Marks & Spencer and Debenhams saw sales fall, while the likes of specialist retailer Halfords and discounter B&M also struggled. Even that most Christmassy of stores, John Lewis, is forecasting a dive in profits after discounting to keep up with competitors. 25 Jan 2019
KFC, one of the world's largest quick service restaurant chains, has publicly committed to ensuring that all plastic-based, consumer-facing packaging across its global system will be recoverable or reusable by 2025. The goal supports the fried chicken brand's long-term plan to implement a more sustainable packaging strategy in its restaurants, by both developing and using sustainable packaging options. 25 Jan 2019
More than ever before in 2018 we saw sustainability playing a major role in shaping trends in the retail sector. Sustainability took the centre stage in Cape Town as it came close to being the first large city in the world to run out of water. We also saw the rise of global commitments on packaging improvements as well as phasing out of single-use plastic. 25 Jan 2019
Being vegan appears to be all the rage in Britain. The news that McDonald's has launched a new plant-based "Happy Meal" for children based on a vegan "wrap" would seem to bear this idea out. 24 Jan 2019
Bata South Africa stepped in and assisted Shimza as he once again donated Toughees school shoes to hundreds of orphaned children from Tembisa at the Rabasotho Hall in Tembisa on Tuesday, 22 January 2019. 24 Jan 2019
Hungry students at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California were recently introduced to Snackbot, the outdoor, self-driving robot delivering snacks and beverages from PepsiCo's portfolio of better-for-you brands, Hello Goodness. 24 Jan 2019
The focus of innovation in the conscious consumption space is certainly not trend based. The environmental and health issues facing the planet are now so interrelated and pressing that they are most certainly not going away. The core points of differentiation that the smarter companies will be focusing on are here to stay. 24 Jan 2019
In essence, the basics of retail have remained much the same for millennia but technology has given consumers more options and more power. Now, retailers, like all other businesses, must rapidly adapt to the changing needs of their consumers, or risk being consigned to the scrapheap of history along with Blockbuster Video and Kodak. 23 Jan 2019
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