South Africa can expect significant growth in contactless payments on the back of Covid-19. It is also likely that the public's newfound (and sensible) aversion to contact will spur additional innovation, especially given the uncertainty around second and third waves, says South Africa's largest payment solution provider, DPO SA. 7 Apr 2020
The Department of Small Business Development has issued directions to assist SMMEs operating grocery stores to comply with lockdown regulations. 7 Apr 2020
Dis-Chem Pharmacies has donated an initial R2m to the independent Solidarity Fund, recently set up to combat and track Covid-19, and cushion the impact of the virus on the most vulnerable members of society. 7 Apr 2020
To enable customers to help those in need during the national lockdown, the Shoprite Group via its affiliate Computicket has launched virtual vouchers that can be redeemed at any Shoprite, Checkers or Usave supermarket nationwide. 7 Apr 2020
Pick n Pay shoppers can now email their shopping lists directly to selected stores for collection. The retailer introduced a new 'Collect Direct' email ordering service for over 174 of its franchise stores during the lockdown period. 7 Apr 2020
Woolworths board members, group CEO Roy Bagattini and the retailer's senior executive team members have agreed to forego up to 30% of their fees and salaries over the next three months. The savings arising from this will be used to provide additional financial support to staff who find themselves in "extreme hardship" as a result of the current coronavirus crisis. 6 Apr 2020
The Shoprite Group has rolled out temperature testing and mobile clinics for its employees to help ensure its stores remain safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. 6 Apr 2020
The Covid-19 lockdown has placed digital transformation front and centre for most businesses. Many large retailers and other enterprise companies are turning to insurtech to help kickstart their revenues in a post-lockdown new normal. 6 Apr 2020
On the most recent episode of Marketplace Africa, CNN International's Eleni Giokos spoke to Massmart chairman Kuseni Dlamini in a remote interview about how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting shopping habits. 6 Apr 2020
Pick n Pay has introduced express queues for hospital workers to shop for their essentials as quickly and as efficiently as possible during the SA lockdown. 6 Apr 2020
Many people believe that grey goods are always counterfeit and illegal to purchase. But they're not necessarily fakes. Sometimes referred to as parallel imports, grey-market goods are the genuine, non-counterfeit goods of a trade mark owner, imported into an economic area and sold without the trade mark owner's consent. 3 Apr 2020
To help support its franchisees during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Spur Corporation suspended franchise fees for the second half of March and the whole of April. 3 Apr 2020
Some of South Africa's largest retailers operating during the lockdown have introduced additional safety measures, including barrier screens at till points and protective visors, to guard against the spread of the novel coronavirus in stores between customers and employees. 3 Apr 2020
United States - As the fear of the coronavirus spreads, consumers have been flocking to stores to stockpile emergency supplies, resulting in empty shelves as retailers can't keep up with demand. This situation will likely intensify. 3 Apr 2020
On Tuesday, 24 March 2020, the SA government, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, gazetted special regulations titled Covid-19 Block Exemption for the Retail Property Sector, 2020', which encourages retail tenants and retail tenants who are competitors to meet with shopping mall owners and reach agreements aimed at addressing matters such as payment holidays, rental discounts and limitations on the possibility of being evicted. 2 Apr 2020
The winners of Winemag.co.za's Label Design Awards for 2020 have been revealed, with three gold awards allocated for wine, and two each for beer and spirits. 2 Apr 2020
FNB has announced Clicks as its new health & beauty eBucks rewards partner, after FNB's partnership with Dis-Chem ended recently. Members of the FNB's rewards programme can now earn and spend eBucks at over 650 Clicks stores nationwide and online. 2 Apr 2020
The coronavirus has turned the world upside down and inside out. With the staggering spread of the virus, the whole world is feeling the effects of their economies' being put on hold. Both the health effects and the economic knock-on ramifications are rather worrying. 2 Apr 2020
No take-away foods. No home deliveries. No hot counter meals. No restaurant fare. For now, and the foreseeable future, Covid-19 has us all cooking from home, seven days a week. Lockdown rules and the need for social distancing also mean that we need to do our best to reduce the number of times we are leaving home for essential food shopping. But mindless panic buying and frightened hoarding aren't actually going to help when it comes to ensuring we've got balanced, nutrient-dense foods at home that will help to support our families' immune systems. 2 Apr 2020
The year 1907 was a time for celebration. Clever humans had invented a material that was more malleable than metal, more durable than wood and more cost-effective than glass. It was magic, and they called it... plastic. 2 Apr 2020
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