Growth in consumer spending makes you wonder, 'Can retail save the South African economy?' This was in question at last week's #BeyondRetail2016 event, covering a range of views and kicking off with 'the economist's view' of Dr Azar Jammine of Econometrix. Leigh Andrews will share more of these over the course of the week. According to developer Pareto Limited, the redevelopment of Menlyn Park Shopping Centre was driven by strong demand from retailers seeing robust trade results year-on-year. The centre will reopen on 24 November as the largest mall in Africa, with a total lettable floor space of over 170,000sqm. Speaking of economic expansion, in a move to expand Grand Parade Investments' food portfolio, the group has begun its rollout of the popular American donut and coffee chain, Dunkin' Donuts across South Africa. The first store opened in Cape Town on Thursday, ironically coinciding with national nutrition week, one of the health department's efforts to get South Africans to opt for healthier food options, and as the country weighs a sugar tax. Andrews followed the tweets of Bloomberg BNA's Sustainable Business Summit 2016 in New York and identified two top insights: that putting sustainability top-of-mind is good business practice, and that it makes sense to do business online. For more on how other businesses are doing good, visit our #SustainabilityMonth special section.
Jessica Tennant, Retail Editor (@Biz_Retail)
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