To assist in fostering a culture of responsible drinking, SAB and AB InBev have launched SA's first locally-brewed, alcohol-free beer called Castle Free, set to hit shelves in mid-November. The alcohol-free brand allows consumers to practice 'pacing', which refers to complementing the consumption of alcohol beers with alcohol-free beers as a means of moderation. In other top news, Taste Holdings and Famous Brands have issued grim trading updates. Investors are seeing fast food and casual dining stocks as risky investments, and some company executives have admitted that the sector is not as resilient as many had thought. Last week also saw local fashion designers showcase their wares at SA Fashion Week. Among the highlights was the launch of Better Cotton sustainable capsule collection commissioned by Woolworths and designed by Rich Mnisi, Thebe Magugu, Selfi and AKJP. The cotton used for the range has been sourced from the SADC region and has undergone a dyeing process that uses only eco-friendly chemicals. Pick n Pay has also made the news for the modern revamp of its Constantia store and announcing that it's cutting prices on 500 essential items to ease the pressure on consumers ahead of the festive season. All that and more. Happy reading! Lauren Hartzenberg Retail Editor: Bizcommunity.com

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