US luxury department store chain Neiman Marcus filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Thursday. 8 May 2020
We have had issues raised regarding our current pricing structure. Due to the increased demand of hand sanitisers worldwide, a lot of people and companies have suddenly begun manufacturing hand sanitisers and become experts! We have not had a price reduction on the ethanol that we use and probably won't for a while, such is the scarcity of the true ingredient. 7 May 2020
Market research firm Forrester predicts that due to the coronavirus, retail sales in 2020 will decline by an average of 9.6% globally, a loss of $2.1tn, and that it will take four years for retailers to overtake pre-pandemic levels. 7 May 2020
Businesses across South Africa are showing tenacity and innovating in the face of lockdown and its tiered, sometimes vague, levels of protocol. This is according to Derek Cikes, commercial director at payment solution, Payflex, who says that many companies have remained positive and proactive during this time of "economic upheaval". 7 May 2020
Hair and beauty technicians have started an online petition pleading with government to allow them to operate during the current level 4 lockdown. 7 May 2020
Uber Eats has introduced a new feature that makes it easier to send food to others. From 6 May, customers will be able to send meals and treats to friends and family and share the status of delivery with a simple tracking link. 6 May 2020
The right to have access to food is enshrined in the South African Constitution, which is why companies operating in the food manufacturing, retail and supply chain must remain focused on protecting their employees - the people who make it possible to feed South Africans. 6 May 2020
The Shoprite Group has thanked its customers for reaching the R1m mark in funds raised for the Solidarity Fund, and matched customer contributions with another R1m. This brings the total raised for the Solidarity Fund to R3m, including the Group's initial R1m donation made in March. 6 May 2020
As 1.5 million workers in the South African economy returned to work this week, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel has met with representatives of the clothing textile, footwear and leather sector. 6 May 2020
The banning of alcohol sales during lockdown was initially intended to help protect communities, but reality has set in and the outcomes remind us of costly lessons learned by the US almost a century ago, says SAB's Hellen Ndlovu. 5 May 2020
As part of our #LockdownLessons series, Bizcommunity is reaching out to South Africa's top industry players to share their experience of the current Covid-19 crisis, how their organisations are navigating these unusual times, where the challenges and opportunities lie, and their industry outlook for the near future. 5 May 2020
The first and only Prada store in South Africa, located along Sandton City Shopping Centre's Diamond Walk, has been closed for good, the luxury brand announced last week. 5 May 2020
Tobacco companies want access to minutes of behind-closed-door meetings where ministers voted on Covid-19-busting regulations. 5 May 2020
Food Lover's Market has launched its fourth annual Hunger Month in-store campaign this May, aimed at encouraging consumers to contribute a meal to FoodForward SA by purchasing partner products in any Food Lover's Market nationwide. 4 May 2020
Uber Eats resumed food operations on 1 May 2020, and customers are once again able to order meals via the app between 9am and 7pm daily, with the option of contactless delivery. 4 May 2020
This too shall pass. And once it has, we will need small-, micro- and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) more than ever to boost our flailing economy, drive innovation and create jobs. 4 May 2020
The latest report by WPP and Kantar, in conjunction with the World Retail Congress, the BrandZ™ Top 75 Most Valuable Global Retail Brands Ranking, drives home the retail sector's pivotal role in the global economy and provides an indication of the top-performing brands that are most likely to prevail in a post-corona market. Indeed, historical BrandZ data confirms that brands with the strongest brand equity recovered nine times faster following the financial crisis of 2008. 4 May 2020
Burger King announced, in line with government's level four lockdown guidelines, that it will be opening select restaurants around the country to deliver its full menu locally as of Wednesday, 6 May 2020. This service will be launched in partnership with Mr D Food and Uber Eats. 4 May 2020
E-commerce is the fastest-growing channel for global packaged food sales, recording a 21% growth in 2014-2019, according to global market research company Euromonitor International. 4 May 2020
Some of South Africa's largest quick-service restaurant brands have partnered to provide meals to communities in which access to food is a major challenge. Nando's, McDonald's and KFC will be working with Joint Aid Management (JAM) to feed hungry South Africans affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and national lockdown. 1 May 2020
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