A 2021 consumer survey by BPO provider and customer experience partner, Merchants, found that although the Covid-19 pandemic has created a more understanding response from consumers, they are no longer accepting this as an excuse from service providers. 2 Mar 2022
NielsenIQ's analysis of its South African Retailer Measurement Service data has revealed almost 60% of the top consumer goods product categories experienced price increases ahead of Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) during Quarter 4, 2021. 2 Mar 2022
Spaza shops, the heart and soul of many communities, have the potential to be so much more, thanks to mobile technology solutions which are not only moving these traders toward a more advanced trading marketplace, but also helping them to become increasingly self-sustainable. 1 Mar 2022
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused untold disruption to the business world, turning it completely on its head. It has changed long-established working practices, the fortunes of entire industries and even deeply embedded mindsets. 1 Mar 2022
While there is still a significant disconnect in South Africa between digital-savvy shoppers and those who make purchases in-store, the pandemic and lockdown conditions have narrowed the gap. That does not mean retailers can rest on their laurels when it comes to the customer experience. Research shows that given the variety of apps available to them, South African shoppers will ditch a brand after just one or two poor experiences. 1 Mar 2022
South African food producer RCL Foods reported on Monday, 28 February, a 21.6% increase in half-year profit, boosted by strong performances from all its businesses. 28 Feb 2022
Muvatera Ndjoze-Siririka, acting CEO of NTA with Tom Mkhwanazi, CEO of W&RSETA, at the signing of the MoU in Johannesburg on 24 February. Source: Supplied
The Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSeta) and the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) have renewed their existing relationship by signing a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enabling both parties to enhance their skills planning through collaborative research, shared experiences and skills development activities of mutual interest. 28 Feb 2022
The events of the last few years have hit the fast-forward button for the South African e-commerce industry. According to Geopoll, e-commerce grew by 66% YoY in 2020, while brick and mortar retail fell by 30%. 25 Feb 2022
The Craft Beer Marketing Awards (CBMAS) has expanded its worldwide judges panel to include more than 500 beverage and beer industry professionals from 24 countries, including South Africa. 25 Feb 2022
Montego Pet Nutrition is working to lead the expansion of pet food manufacturing on the African continent, which it pegs as the "next big growth market" for manufacturers in this category. 25 Feb 2022
Source: Reuters/Mike Hutchings
Distell, set to be acquired by Dutch beverage company Heineken, said its half-year profit rose 17.5% on Thursday, 24 February, due to foreign currency gains even as the South African drinks maker continues to face the impact of the pandemic. 24 Feb 2022
Move over Frank Sinatra - Amanda du-Pont and Pongrácz are here to add some new life to an old favourite. 24 Feb 2022
Miguel Patricio, CEO at Kraft Heinz and Matias Muchnick, co-founder and CEO at NotCo. Source: Kraft Heinz
The Kraft Heinz Company, the owner of Heinz, Capri-Sun and Kool-Aid, has teamed up with food tech startup TheNotCompany in a joint venture designed to reimagine sustainable food production globally and set a new standard for plant-based innovation. 24 Feb 2022
Source: Supplied
Massmart retailer Game is relaunching its homeware offering and updating 75% of the range across categories including furniture, décor, flooring and lighting. The refresh is part of the brand's Retail Reimagined turnaround strategy, and the move is designed to gain Game more market share as a general merchandise retailer and improve its affordable homeware category. 24 Feb 2022
Excise tax hikes have been kept more in line with inflation this year, when compared to the 8% increase of 2021. While the alcohol industry has welcomed the excise hikes of between 4.5% and 6.5%, it said that this may not be what is needed to enable the industry to live up to its full potential to contribute to SA's economic growth. 24 Feb 2022
Excise duties on alcohol and tobacco will increase by between 4.5% and 6.5%, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced during his Budget Speech on Wednesday, 23 February. 23 Feb 2022
A product recall has been issued for Similac Alimentum 400g Infant Formula in South Africa, as part of a global voluntary recall issued by US-based manufacturer Abbott Laboratories-Nutrition. 23 Feb 2022
South Africa's beer industry is calling for an excise tax increase in line with inflation or lower, to help it recover from the Covid-19 crisis and related restrictions and allow the industry to contribute more significantly to the country's economic growth story following the pandemic. 23 Feb 2022
For the past four years there has been a growing demand in the cannabinoid or CBD market, fuelled by increasing global trends and changing local legislation. In 2018 we saw the legalisation of cannabis for personal consumption, while CBD products with a quantity less than 20mg for daily dose were legalised in 2019. These changes have opened the market and contributed towards international market growth which is predicted to grow to $91,5bn by 2028. 22 Feb 2022
While the SONA 2022 touched on various socio-economic matters at the heart of the South African reality, the continued focus on industrialisation and localisation, in my opinion, is the most relevant. 22 Feb 2022
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