It's a promising start to the third quarter with innovative companies like wiGroup, SweepSouth and newly founded FlipSell offering seamless, safe, secure and convenient solutions to the way things were in the retail industry. WiGroup founder Bevan Ducasse recently won the FNB Business Innovation Awards, SweepSouth received a new R10m round of funding earlier this year, and FlipSell, the newest kid on the block, now offers a platform for buying and selling pre-owned goods, with secure payments, convenient pick-ups and direct deliveries. Yes, clever lads!

Friday, 1 July marked the official launch of Australia's award-winning Furi and Stanley Rogers brands in South Africa. I had the opportunity to test out these products on the media day, and was most impressed by Furi's ergonomic handle and the sharpness of the blades which make chopping veggies the equivalent to slicing through butter. My personal preference of the two cutlery designs now available in SA is the classic Baguette range. These knives and cutlery brands marry well with local distributor Prestige Quality Housewares' existing range of baking products, kitchenware and foodie accessories. For more info and a list of stockists, go to #FreshOffTheShelf, where you'll also find Albany's new D'light range. Cinnamon & Popcorn flavoured bread, anyone?

This month we're covering the annual national corporate activations held in honour of Madiba, and those that believe in doing good every day. Getting started, Leigh Andrews interviews Eleni Giokos, a business correspondent at CNN International, who says, "There's nothing like interviewing passionate people that are impacting society positively. As much as I enjoy spending time with leaders, speaking to people on the streets gives you an even better perspective. Shifting from the boardrooms to the streets is an exciting part of my work."

How is your business doing good? What are you doing this #MandelaMonth? Have any opinions you'd like to share on the subject of CSI? Email retailnews@bizcommunity.com for a chance to be featured.

Jessica Tennant, Retail Editor (@Biz_Retail)
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