Pick n Pay chairman Gareth Ackerman has spoken out against the ban on sales of alcohol and tobacco, saying that it risks creating more cynicism and division than any other decision taken by the government during the Covid-19 pandemic. 5 Aug 2020
The Shoprite Group is exiting Nigeria after 15 years. The Cape Town-based company - the largest grocery retailer Africa - announced the decision in a trading update this week. 5 Aug 2020
For every eligible career Barbie doll sold at ToysRUs stores this August, Barbie will donate a doll to the Children's Hospital Trust (CHT) and Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital. This initiative forms part of Mattel South Africa's Barbie #ThankYouHeroes programme and aims to donate about 1,500 dolls to the CHT. 5 Aug 2020
The alcohol industry welcomes the positive response from the National Treasury to its request for a deferment of excise tax on alcoholic beverages. The National Treasury has proposed a 90-day deferral for the payment of excise taxes on alcohol. 4 Aug 2020
The Competition Commission has welcomed the decision of the Competition Tribunal on 28 July 2020, that confirms as an order the consent agreement between the Commission and KwaZulu-Natal-based company Cambridge Food Jozini, a division of Cambridge Food and subsidiary of Massmart. 4 Aug 2020
The South African Breweries (SAB) has halted R5bn in investments in South Africa over the next two years due to the consequences of the 12-week long alcohol ban, and Heineken South Africa is reevaluating plans to establish a new major production facility in KwaZulu-Natal. 4 Aug 2020
I need to say upfront that I'm a partner in a business that sells alcoholic drinks. Gin mostly, but we do - sorry did - a bit of everything. Of course, I'm aware that there are many other industries and entrepreneurs in the same boat; other businesses that, prior to lockdown, also had businesses with exciting prospects. 3 Aug 2020
Pick n Pay Clothing customers can now shop the brand's full range of merchandise on the new PnP Clothing online platform, for delivery to shoppers' doorsteps nationwide. 3 Aug 2020
Rihanna has launched her much-anticipated skincare line, Fenty Skin, in partnership with Kendo Brands, an LVMH-owned beauty developer. Fenty Skin is Rihanna's second global beauty brand, following the launch of Fenty Beauty introduced in 2017. 3 Aug 2020
Online shopping is something South African consumers have had to become more familiar with recently. While we've had e-commerce options before, locals haven't adopted the technology as easily and quickly as other countries - until now. 31 Jul 2020
Game emerged on the South African retail scene 50 years ago, when founders Alan Hellman and Jack Schaeffer opened the first store in Smith Street, Durban. The retailer and its playful pink branding have stood the test of time, with over 100 Game stores dotted across the country today and a footprint in 12 African countries. 31 Jul 2020
Grand Parade Investments (GPI) said in a statement to investors this week that it has renegotiated the terms of the sale of its Burger King South Africa licence, after the Covid-19 pandemic and related lockdown shaved off R100m in the food chain's value. 31 Jul 2020
Credit: Polina via Pexels
Forty percent of "leading" food firms, including Kroger, Tesco, Nestle and Unilever, now have dedicated teams focused on plant-based products, according to new research from collaborative investor network the FAIRR Initiative. 30 Jul 2020
Obesity and diet-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, are major public health problems in South Africa. But many in the food industry strongly oppose globally recommended policies that could address these issues. Such policies include restrictions on marketing of junk food to children and improvements to food labelling. 30 Jul 2020
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While Covid-19 has turned our personal lives upside down, it's also changed the way we shop and consume goods. 30 Jul 2020
The V&A Waterfront is pushing ahead with its plan to develop Makers Landing, a local food destination comprising a business incubator and food emporium focused on SA flavours and culture. The project is the result of a R63m investment made in partnership with the National Treasury's Jobs Fund to create opportunities for food talent within a new, 360° farm-to-fork food experience. 30 Jul 2020
In #FreshOnTheShelf, we round up our pick of food and beverage products that have hit the shelves recently. 29 Jul 2020
Uber Eats has released its second annual Cravings Report which details some of South Africa's most popular and peculiar orders placed on the food delivery app. 29 Jul 2020
South Africa compares itself to Sri Lanka and the Kingdoms of Lesotho and eSwatini as the only four countries that have prohibited the sale of alcohol as part of lockdown response to the Covid-19 pandemic. 29 Jul 2020
DPO Group (DPO), an African payment service provider operating across 19 countries, has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Network International, a signifcant enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA). DPO Group will support the expansion of Network International's presence across Africa, one of the most under-penetrated and fast-growing payments markets in the world. 29 Jul 2020
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