Retailer JD Group said on Thursday, 26 January, cash sales in its furniture retail division grew by 9.8%, when compared to the previous corresponding period, with overall sales increasing by 3.6%. 26 Jan 2012
The South African retail sector has received a significant shakeup since the announcement of Wal-Mart's entry into the field. But there are lessons that can be learnt from a global retailer in the sense that continual improvement is always positive. As a global retailer, Wal-Mart has developed expertise in the area of negotiating with international suppliers, whilst our retailers do not operate on the same global scale. However, I maintain that with South Africa's level of expertise, retailers will hold their own against the global giant. 25 Jan 2012
LONDON, UK: British supermarket chain Asda said on Monday that it planned to create 5000 jobs this year, in a move hailed by Prime Minister David Cameron amid rising unemployment in Britain. 24 Jan 2012
Armed with cash or backed by readily available credit, SA consumers continued on a merry shopping spree during the Christmas season. This is according to trading updates from Mr Price, Massmart and Shoprite. 20 Jan 2012
South Africa may have produced two Nobel laureates in literature but a famous bookshop in Johannesburg is nevertheless about to close, a victim of the country's poor reading culture. 19 Jan 2012
Despite coming off a very high base, The Foschini Group on Wednesday, 19 January, reported sales growth of 17.3% for the period 27 November to 31 December 2011. 19 Jan 2012
Real retail sales in SA dropped by 0.3% month-on-month (m/m) in November 2011 as consumers cut back on their earlier exuberant buying. In September real retail sales had surged by 1.5% m/m and jumped by 0.7% m/m in October. 19 Jan 2012
Clothing, footwear and textiles retailer Edcon on Tuesday, 17 January, announced the appointment of Mark Richard Bower as deputy chief executive and chief financial officer following the resignation of Stephen Robert Binnie. 19 Jan 2012
Shares in health and beauty retail and supply chain Clicks Group (CLS) were down almost 3% on the back of a less-than-stellar sales update. 18 Jan 2012
After posting an 11.4% increase in 26-week sales, shares in upmarket retailer Woolworths Holdings (WHL) advanced over 3% to R42.95, hitting an all-time high on Tuesday, 17 January. 18 Jan 2012
International retail professional Helmut Hoerz is joining Pick n Pay for a two-year assignment as head of merchandising, the retail giant announced today, 17 January. Hoerz will also sit on the Group Exco and report to CEO Nick Badminton. 17 Jan 2012
WASHINGTON, USA: US retail sales growth will slow to 3.4% this year, but still outpace the country's GDP growth, the National Retail Federation said on Monday, 16 January. 17 Jan 2012
Shoprite Holdings said on Monday, 16 January, that for the six months ended December 2011 it grew turnover by 13.2% to some R41.1 billion. 17 Jan 2012
Ending speculation, lingerie chain La Senza SA has confirmed that none of its local stores will face closure. 16 Jan 2012
Mr Price Group (MPC) has recorded sales growth of 15.9% for the third quarter (Q3 FY2012) over the comparable period in the prior year. 12 Jan 2012
Retail group Massmart Holdings (MSM) reported on Wednesday, 11 January, that the group's total sales for the 26 weeks to December 2011 had increased to R31.6 billion, representing growth of 15.2% over the prior 26-week period, with year-to-date inflation estimated at 1.1%. 12 Jan 2012
Wal-Mart's entry into SA will be good for consumer prices, research has revealed. 10 Jan 2012
According to the National Stokvel Association of South Africa (NASASA), four main categories of stokvels can be identified - basic revolving savings schemes, loan schemes, home loan schemes and shared buying schemes. The main economic spenders around the end of the year are the shared buying scheme members, who use wholesalers and other retailers to purchase in bulk. 10 Jan 2012
LONDON, UK: In a traditionally strong period for the upmarket grocer, Waitrose has delivered a solid performance for Christmas 2011. New stores and an improved website provided strong total growth at 9.5%. LFL (like for like) sales grew by 3.8% buoyed by strong marketing messages and an innovative festive product offer. 10 Jan 2012
LONDON, UK: British clothing retailer Next said on Wednesday that its pre-Christmas performance was "disappointing" as a drop in sales at its many stores in Britain and Ireland overshadowed a jump in online business. 6 Jan 2012
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