#HeritageMonth | Local bag brand Sak.Sak sees opportunity in Mzansi's pride

[Evan-Lee Courie] With its playful name, distinctive product personality and proudly local manufacturing model, the South African bag brand is betting that being local can be more than just a label...

#HeritageMonth | Nehanda Design is scaling local craftsmanship without losing its soul

[Evan-Lee Courie] For Nehanda Design founder Nehanda Magan, South African heritage is not something confined to a calendar month. It is embedded in the materials, stories, people and natural landscapes that inform the brand’s products...

#HeritageMonth | From Kalahari to the world: How Oryx Desert Salt built a premium retail brand

[Evan-Lee Courie] Sam Skyring has taken one of the most familiar pantry staples and turned it into a premium consumer brand, with products on shelves, including Whole Foods Market in the US...

#HeritageMonth | Made In RSA's Nick Dreyer says local products need more than patriotism to sell

[Evan-Lee Courie] For Dreyer, Heritage Month offers an opportunity to rethink how South African heritage is presented to consumers, not as nostalgia, but as a contemporary retail proposition capable of competing locally and internationally...

Dis-Chem, Clicks and Cashbuild join Woolworths in global trust top 50

[Karabo Ledwaba] Woolworths has taken the top spot among South African retailers in the 2026 World’s Most Trustworthy Companies ranking, placing 15th globally...

Franchise networks face mounting pressure from costs, franchisees and staff

[Larry Hodes] Larry Hodes, CEO of Grow Franchising & FASA Board Member, shares three pressure points that can weaken an entire franchise network...

Your brand’s credibility is now more valuable than a pretty website

[Mkhuseli Vangile] According to Mkhuseli Vangile, founder and CEO of The Dynaste Communication Firm, trust is emerging as one of a business's most precious assets...

#HeritageMonth | Local brand Ndilulo Activewear bets on self-belief, confidence and community

[Evan-Lee Courie] Ndilulo Activewear (the Xhosa word for ⁣I am) offers a window into the opportunities facing emerging South African brands competing against established international names...

How Ocean Basket is building for the next 30 years

[Evan-Lee Courie] Ocean Basket's chief marketing officer, Jonathan Muir, explains how the South African restaurant brand is using an omnichannel model, franchise support and data to remain relevant and scale for growth...

Woolworths plans to strengthen its private-label food offering with in2food deal

[Karabo Ledwaba] The Competition Commission has recommended that the Competition Tribunal approve Woolworths’ proposed acquisition of in2food...

#WomensMonth | Nelisiwe Shiluvana on rising to top finance role at Famous Brands

[Evan-Lee Courie] Famous Brands’ group financial director reflects on mentorship, resilience, technology and the importance of creating pathways for the next generation of women leaders...

#WomensMonth | Beer Association of SA's Nirishi Trikamjee on reshaping the beer industry

[Evan-Lee Courie] Nirishi Trikamjee, interim CEO of the Beer Association of South Africa (Basa), reflects on why the future of the beer industry depends on greater gender diversity...

Jockey marks 150 years with a brand refresh and e-commerce push

[Evan-Lee Courie] As Jockey celebrates 150 years globally and 75 years in South Africa, the brand is using the milestone to strengthen its retail proposition, refresh its visual identity and accelerate its digital growth...

#WomensMonth | Massmart's Unathi Kildase says "leadership in retail is ultimately about people"

[Evan-Lee Courie] This Women's Month, Kildase shares insights into purposeful leadership and creating pathways for women in retail...

#WomensMonth | Pepkor's Konaye Dlatu: Leaving an impact

[Evan-Lee Courie] Konaye Dlatu is the trailblazer behind Pepkor's digital strategy...

#WomensMonth | Nicole Hapgood-Strickland on engineering corporate wear for real-world use

[Evan-Lee Courie] For Nicole Hapgood-Strickland, fashion is about far more than what meets the eye...

SA's franchise growth outpaces structure, risks brand reputation

[Larry Hodes] South Africa has one of the highest rates of franchise sector participation of any economy. It is also quietly running out of the people who make the networks actually work...

If you stepped away for 90 days, would your franchise survive?

[Larry Hodes] Most franchise owners believe their business will hold, but the honest answer is more complicated than most expect, writes Larry Hodes, CEO Grow Franchising...

Poor franchisee support threatens growth, jobs and royalties across South Africa

[Larry Hodes] Franchisors and franchisees are both reporting falling revenues and tougher trading conditions. The standard responses “open more stores," “tighten brand audits”, “cut costs" are not working the way they used to...

SA’s franchise growth may depend on better franchisee support

[Larry Hodes] There is a fundamental difference between monitoring a franchisee and developing one, writes Larry Hodes, CEO of Grow Franchising and Franchise Association of South Africa board member...