Irish fast-fashion retailer Primark has no plans to sell its clothes online. This is despite the company warning that lockdown store closures could cost it losses of more than £1bn. The retailer has shut 305 of its 389 global stores - including 190 in the UK. Primark has just announced a 30% sales fall to £2bn in the 16 weeks leading to 2 January, adding that this loss could mean price rises.
Lisa Jack and Regina Frei 1 day ago
South African Breweries (SAB) has had to suspend 550 temporary contract workers across its South African operations, as it navigates the unintended consequences of the third alcohol ban. These temporary contracts will predominantly affect positions within SAB's supply and logistics workforce.
The South African alcohol industry reaffirmed its objections to the government's use of prohibition in the struggle against the Covid-19 pandemic, stating that the unintended consequences - specifically the rapid rise of illicit liquor production and distribution - far outweighed the efficacy of the ban.
Health Central is South Africa's newest online store targeting the growing wellness market.
With the curfew still in place and increasing fear around the new strain and second wave of Covid-19 infections, many restaurants are struggling to operate at a profit. Pairing meals with alcohol is a major part of restaurant culture - so much so that liquor can account for as much as 70% of a restaurant's profit.
Evan-Lee Courie 22 Jan 2021
South Africa's Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) has asked for the removal of an advertisement for Windhoek beer on the basis that it entrenches toxic masculinity in suggesting that "real men drink real beer".
This opinion piece is part of VPASA's (Vapour Products Association of South Africa) We Are Not Tobacco (WANT) campaign, which seeks to differentiate electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) from combustible tobacco products.
Asanda Gcoyi, Irvine Partners 22 Jan 2021
To enable more flexible and agile food production, engineers at consumer goods company Unilever have designed a nano factory that fits into a 12-metre container. The prototype is a fully-functioning, mini production line that houses everything needed to produce a batch, from the point where raw materials go in at one end to where finished products come out at the other - bottled, capped and labelled.
Five hundred learners stand the chance of having their 2021 school fees paid for in Shoprite's annual 'Class Of' competition - now open for entry.
In the fourth quarter of last year, as Covid-19 appeared to be receding and the country had moved to a virtually lockdown-free scenario, the SA retail sector undoubtedly would have been looking forward to a significant uptick in festive season trade and hoping for that momentum to be maintained into, and through, 2021.
Tasmika Ramlakan 20 Jan 2021
African liquor group Distell and Invenfin, the venture capital arm of Remgro, have entered into a partnership with Releaf Pharmaceuticals to share ownership in South African cannabis wellness brand Rethink.
"No longer do brands have to worry about one consumer telling another about bad service, but rather one disgruntled consumer telling hundreds of others through social media," says veteran marketer Chris Moerdyk about the new world of instant feedback between buyers.
Global market research company Euromonitor International has released its 'Top 10 Global Consumer Trends 2020' report. The annual report reveals the trends that the company believes will define consumer behaviour and influence business strategies in the year ahead.
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