| | | Retail lolling without Lotto | Ever since the Lotto stopped rolling on 1 April – don't you think April Fool's Day was an appropriate time? – about 8,200 retail outlets who used to sell Lotto tickets have been hoping and waiting for some sort of final decision as to which of the two contenders would get the nod. The taxman must also have been a bit eager for a final decision as Trevor's department gets a slice of the spending. What I wonder, however, is what impact, if any, the lack of a national lottery has had on retail spend? I don't know of anyone who has been putting their monthly Lotto spend into a piggybank in anticipation of the minister – after a raft of failed promises – finally gets around to announcing who is going to have the pleasure of taking R100 or so from us every week and giving us R7 change. So where has the money gone? Have savings grown? Don't think so. Has retail spend grown? The only retailers I know of who have seen an impact from no Lotto are the smaller businesses such as stationers and corner cafes – and they have seen their income slashed. Anyone have the answer? And, what's more, when is our minister going take a giant leap for all us hopefuls?
Rod Baker, Content Manager: Send your news to: retailnews@bizcommunity.com; or visit https://www.bizcommunity.com.
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| | Headlines | Proposed British ban on organic imports to affect African suppliers
New banking Bill to increase access to financial services
Digital printing direct to textile
Middleburg residents invited to start building
Mystery spending: Where did my money go?
Industry opposed to new toy safety bill
We know what you'll buy next...
Demystifying RFID
How to put together a winning APEX entry
SMMEs to benefit at the Soweto Festival
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Retail | | shuzsociety for 'sole' addicts
 What does a leggy fashionista and a wardrobe-challenged over-conservative executive have in common? Why, shoes of course.
Customer service that goes straight to the heart
 [Jeneanne Rae] Good service prototypes appeal to the emotions and avoid drawing attention to features, costs, and applications that can clutter the conversation and derail the excitement factor. Storytelling, vignettes, cartoons, amateur videos - all are low-budget tools that bypass the intellectual "gristmill" and go straight to the heart.
ZBC in crisis as it haemorrhages staff
[Lebo Nkatazo] President Robert Mugabe's main propaganda arm – the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation – is in crisis following massive staff resignations, New Zimbabwe.com can reveal – 111 staff have left in the past nine months.
Take a moment of your time…
 ...and help a cancer sufferer fulfill their will to conquer cancer. They have all said “yes” to life in spite of their pain and the way you can help them achieve their dream is through the Moments in Time project.
Malawi slashes funding for broadcasters
The opposition-dominated Parliament of Malawi has cut funding to public broadcasters over claims that the government uses them as propaganda tools. The move is likely to mean more competition for private broadcasters for a slice of radio advertising revenues in Malawi.
The sweet taste of success in Soweto
One look at the public car park packed with top brand vehicles and another look at all the thousands of beautifully dressed young people sipping wine in the main hall and VIP Lounge at the Standard Bank Soweto Wine Festival, told you everything you needed to know about the calibre of consumers attending the Standard Bank Soweto Wine Festival.
Agency's bite size campaign pays off
VWV, which claims to be the only South African agency able to offer experiential communications solutions, is to make a video on its Cadbury's bite-size campaign.
DHL wins new agreement with world's largest retailer
DHL has announced a new three-year agreement with Wal-Mart Stores, the world's largest retail chain, reports Carole Kimutai for www.bizcommunity.com.
Tribute to Dame Anita
Body Shop founder, Anita Roddick, 64, passed away on Monday, 10 September, in West Sussex. She had suffered a brain haemorrhage. Otherwise known as Dame Anita, Roddick was a pioneer of cruelty-free beauty products and great campaigner for environmental and social responsibility in business. Those wishing to post a tribute to the life of Dame Anita, may do so at the Body Shop website here: http://www.thebodyshop.com/bodyshop/global/content.jsp?page=anitaroddick
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Banking & Finance | | New banking Bill to increase access to financial services
[Michael Appel] The new Co-operative Banking Bill 2007, which was passed in the National Assembly on Tuesday, 11 September, will allow low income earners access to banking services.
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Brand news | | Levi's for your eyes
 FRANCE - The first Levi's eyewear collection is scheduled to make its official debut at the next edition of SILMO - the international trade exhibition known for its collaboration with the world of fashion, to be held in Paris from 19 - 22 October 2007.
You're a good mixer... so how about a free trip to Puerto Rico?
Brandhouse invites all bartenders in South Africa to take part in the National Classic Cocktail Competition 2007/2008. SA's bartenders now have the opportunity to be creative and charismatic – so put yourself to the test, be a part of new trends and developments, submit your own cocktails, take on the world's best - and win the trip of a lifetime!
La Motte makes the most of MUNDUSvini
The estate, situated just outside Franschhoek, in the heart of the Cape Winelands, has claimed two awards at the 2007 MUNDUSvini International Wine Awards.
Runners give bras a sporting chance
 Triumph Tri-Action Power Sports Bra has been voted the Best Sports Bra in a recent review done by gear editor, Lisa de Speville in the September issue of Runner's World magazine.
SA wines flying high in German awards
 Yet another South African wine estate has garnered prestigious 2007 MUNDUSvini awards in Germany. Nederburg has earned four medals – two golds and two silvers.
Make it a chilly summer
 You can keep your cool with Savanna this summer.
Harnessing South Africa's natural benefits
 Imbali – meaning “flower” in Zulu – is a new range of luxury bath and body care products that are claimed to harness the unique therapeutic and beneficial properties of selected South African plants.
Another gold for SA estate at MUNDUSvini awards
Spier has won two gold medals at MUNDUSvini in Germany, securing a second successful year at the prestigious wine awards.
Ethiopia, EU, US agree on coffee trademarks
European and American coffee roasting and distribution companies have signed an agreement to use Ethiopia's coffee specialty trademarks. Read the full story story on www.bizcommunity.com.
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Catering | | Food for thought
Customer (client) centricity is increasingly driving outsourcing in the workplace with the client becoming far more influential in determining the choice of meal options provided by outsourced catering concerns to the client's employees.
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Consumer research | | Mystery spending: Where did my money go?
USA - For nearly half of all Americans, the old saying that "money burns a hole in your pocket" is true - at least, when it comes to cash. Every year, about $2,340 in cash "disappears" from Americans' wallets when people simply lose track of their spending, according to a new survey commissioned by Visa USA.
We know what you'll buy next...
USA - According to an article in the most recent issue of First-Perspective, a First Marketing publication, when researchers use a combination of demographic and psychographic analysis, they can predict an individual consumer's next purchase with up to 82% accuracy. By allowing companies to match products with those consumers who are most likely to buy them, psychographic segmentation improves the efficiency and effectiveness of their marketing efforts.
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Franchising | | Middleburg residents invited to start building
 Residents of Middleburg in Mpumalanga can now look forward to having their renovation, building, and construction material needs catered for by a brand new Pick & Build, being the latest edition to this national franchise company.
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Import/Export | | Proposed British ban on organic imports to affect African suppliers
The International Trade Centre is taking a strong stand against a proposed ban on airfreighting organic fruits and vegetables from developing countries to Britain. The United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DfID), jointly with ITC, has organised a seminar in London today, 17 September 2007, to debate the controversial issue.
Zimbabwe levies duty in forex for underwear
Struggling to boost its foreign currency reserves, a cash-strapped Zimbabwe government this week began charging duty in forex for imported footwear and clothing items, including underwear, we can reveal. A Zimbabwean opposition MP described the latest move as “absolutely barmy.”
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Logistics | | Great timing, guaranteed
TNT has announced the launch of its new service portfolio to offer customers an extended range of standardised international and domestic services across the globe. Placing a strong emphasis on morning deliveries, TNT has added two new time-guaranteed services - '10:00 Express' and '12:00 Economy Express' - to the existing ‘9:00 Express' and '12:00 Express'.
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Merchandising | | Does online pharmaceutical marketing need a booster shot?
Overall, the US pharmaceutical industry is coming up short when it comes to affectively marketing with a Web presence, according to a recent report. "Something as simple as offering mobile or Internet alerts to prompt patients to take their medicine are opt-in tactics that benefit patients and boost compliance," the report recommends.
Confidently curvaceous and fabulously flawless
 The 2008 Flawless Calendar - a diverse showcase of curvaceous models of different ethnicities, shapes and sizes 8-22 with high fashion images - has been released by Chenese Lewis Productions, LLC.
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Promotions | | Is it Christmas already?
The website promotion and SEO service provider www.servicewrap.net, with five years experience in online marketing and top 10 ranking optimisation, keeps a close eye on seasonal trends for purchase. And this year sees a remarkable change in events, with website business owners preparing their Christmas SEO and website promotion campaigns now - at least 3 months early.
Linear Stand update - Right Stuff
 Right Stuff has developed the Linear Stand as a dynamic portable point-of-purchase display. This concept offers a unique, diverse and affordable product that is manufactured locally. It is the next generation of showroom stands, which doubles as a banner display as well as a brochure holder.
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Regulatory | | Industry opposed to new toy safety bill
USA - The Toy Industry Association, American Chemistry Council and others within the coalition opposed to Assembly Bill 1108 (Ma) have issued a statement in response to a news conference held by supporters of the legislation. The Bill prohibits the use of the chemical, phthalates, in toys and feeding products intended for use by children under the age of three.
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Retail services | | Keep them coming back
USA - This month's 'thebigidea', a recurrent section in the Pohly Company's Fuel newsletter, focuses on the how to keep consumer traffic flowing through the doors despite high fuel prices. Perhaps South African retailers could also use a few pointers to increase customer loyalty while keeping costs down in the wake of the National Credit Act's attempt to curb rampant spending.
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Technology | | Digital printing direct to textile
PrintVillage, Inc. and its digital dye sublimation division, US Sublimation, are to introduce the Velotex direct-to-textile and sublimation system for digital printing on textiles.
The next step in Philips' long revival
[Jennifer L. Schenker] Will the reorganisation help Philips achieve its growth goals? Jan Willem Berghuis, a financial analyst at Kempen & Co., says he is convinced Philips can do it. The company has a debt-free balance sheet, so it could double earnings through acquisitions or share buybacks. Instead, it has said it plans to grow its operational margin from 7.5% to 10% organically by 2010.
Microsoft introduces new breed of portable mice
Microsoft struck again in the consumer hardware space on Wednesday, rolling out new hardware with special emphasis on notebook computers. Two new mice are focused on laptop use, and one of the new webcams the company unveiled is designed for notebooks as well. One of the mice features Bluetooth connectivity, while the other has a transceiver containing a 1 GB thumb drive.
Possible RFID-cancer link rattles market
Implanted RFID microchips may cause cancer, suggest several reports based on studies with rodents.
New Sapphire sports sensory sewing
 SVP Worldwide, owner of Husqvarna Viking brand sewing machines, has announced the worldwide introduction of the new Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 870 Quilt sewing machine. Along with the Sapphire 830 and 850 sewing machines, the new 870 brings more exclusive features to sewers worldwide that have previously been available only on top-of-the-line sewing machines.
Demystifying RFID
 Delegates from a broad spectrum of industries came to the Axiz Auditorium in Midrand in August to attend the first EMS “Smart Rock” RFID seminar to be held in South Africa.
A digital lifestyle experience to suit any pocket
People may believe that a full and rewarding digital lifestyle is restricted to a few super-rich techno-geeks but, in fact, just about anyone can enjoy quality entertainment that suits their pocket.
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Training | | Sales shebang for women
 Launched in 2007, Sales Shebang - an online resource for women who sell products, services and solutions to the business community - is holding its first Sales Shebang Conference from 5 - 6 November 2007, at the Sheraton-Bloomington Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
How to put together a winning APEX entry
The Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA) will be hosting workshops for the advertising industry in Johannesburg and in Cape Town respectively, to take agencies through the paces of how to prepare a winning entry for the Advertising Performance Excellence Awards (APEX).
SMMEs to benefit at the Soweto Festival
Standard Bank is to sponsor 65 SMME's at the 2007 Soweto Festival, which runs from 21 – 24 September 2007 at the Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown.
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| | Galleries | | Flex Face Fashion Show
 
More | | More... | | |
| | Events to diarise | Gastronomica 2007 Gastronomica - Knysna, 23 September
Gastronomica is a food-lover's paradise of ten days of hands-on workshops and demonstrations where the emphasis is not only on good and honest food but also the training of those in the food industry. | | | | |
| | Quotes | | | "When dealing with people, remember that you are not dealing with creatures of logic but with creatures of emotion." - Dale Carnegie | | "Advertising doesn't create a product advantage. It can only convey it." - William Bernbach | | "Things do not pass for what they are, but for what they seem. Most things are judged by their jackets." - Baltasar Gracian | | "When any fit of gloominess, or perversion of mind, lays hold upon you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaints." - Samuel Johnson | | "Only in our dreams are we free. The rest of the time we need wages." - Terry Pratchett | | More... Submit a Quote | | |
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