Indulgences still popular in crisis - but classics rule
[ActivRetail] With the global economy in turmoil and the idea of recession now firmly part of global popular consciousness, consumers have become highly aware of their spending habits and the brands they spend their money on. Interestingly, however, according to futurist Faith Popcorn, “many people are not prepared to give up small indulgences that they have grown accustomed to.”

Petrol to increase by 61 cents
[Edwin Tshivhidzo] Motorists are expected to pay 61 cents more for petrol from next week Wednesday.

SA Product of the Year award winners
The winners of South Africa's first Product of the Year awards were announced at a gala ceremony that took place at Midrand's Vodadome last week.


Stoned Cherrie to strut SA style at NY Fashion Week
South African fashion label Stoned Cherrie will be showing on schedule at Bryant Park during New York Fashion Week as part of the inaugural This Day/Arise Magazine: African Fashion Collective 2009.


Union tackles supermarkets on food prices
[Nicola Mawson and Calli Roberts] Trade union Solidarity has criticised the failure of retailers Pick n Pay, Checkers and Spar to cut food prices in line with the dramatic drop in fuel prices.

Unilever scoops nine Product of the Year awards
Consumers, tasked with selecting brands that understand their needs and develop products which speak to their heart and pocket, have named Unilever the winner of nine of the 13 categories in which it was nominated in South Africa's inaugural Product of the Year Awards. The announcement was made at a gala award evening held at the Vodadome in Midrand last week.


Brands of the future - equity versus value
[Lisa Steingold] Being in the marketing ‘space', I am extremely passionate about brands. So what exactly is a brand?


KZN MEC hails Pick n Pay decision
KwaZulu-Natal agriculture MEC Mtholephi Mthimkhulu has commended Pick n Pay for organising a meeting to discuss the issue of high food prices.

SA should be optimistic about weathering economic crisis
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND: While the International Monetary Fund has projected the worst economic prospects for 60 years and the International Labour Organisation projects 50 million job losses globally, South Africa will remain relatively unscathed by the global economic crisis.

SA Reserve Bank investigating origin of hoax email
[Nthambeleni Gabara] The South African Reserve Bank is investigating the origin of a hoax email with an image of a fake R500 note design which is currently circulating countrywide.

JSE Africa trading exchange to boost inter-Africa investment
[Michael Appel] The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) will be launching Africa Board, its new African trading segment on the JSE's Main Board, which is set to increase interest and investment in African companies.

Inflation dives a significant 1.8%
[Michael Appel] The latest 1.8% drop in inflation figures could mean good news for cash-strapped South Africans and struggling home owners.

Post-crisis world under WEF spotlight
[Nthambeleni Gabara] The 2009 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, which begins in Switzerland on Wednesday and ends on Sunday, is organised under the theme: “Shaping the Post-Crisis World”.

Low GI ready-made range launches in Gauteng
Allday EnerGI Foods, manufacturer of frozen Low GI prepared meals and snacks recently launched its range in Gauteng through Checkers and Checkers Hyper as well as selected Spar stores.


FIFA renews partnership with Panini
FIFA and Panini, described as the world's largest publisher of collectibles, have signed an exclusive joint agreement for the next six years that will cover the next two FIFA World Cups in South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014 for trading cards and sticker album collections, it was announced yesterday, Thursday, 29 January 2009.

Kodak to lay off thousands after brutal fourth quarter
[Ben Dobbin] Eastman Kodak said Thursday it is cutting 3,500 to 4,500 jobs, or 14% to 18% of its work force, as it posted a US$137 million fourth-quarter loss on plunging sales of both digital and film-based photography products.

Latest vintage of Classique Bordeaux-style blend launches
Eikendal, the Cape Wineland cellar situated on the slopes of the Helderberg, has just released the 2005 vintage of its elegant Classique - the estate's flagship Bordeaux-style red blend.


Waterkloof releases Sauvignon Blanc quartet
[ActivRetail] Waterkloof wine estate, situated on the slopes of the Cape's Schapenberg with an eagle's view of False Bay, has launched its 2008 Sauvignon Blanc vintages encompassing four tiers, all classic in style but each expressing a defining sense of origin.


Philips posts nearly $2B Q4 loss, plans 6,000 layoffs
[Toby Sterling] Royal Philips Electronics, the Dutch conglomerate that makes lighting products, on Monday reported a fourth-quarter loss of 1.47 billion euros (US$1.9 billion) and said it would cut 6,000 jobs, blaming weak global economic conditions for poor business performance, asset write-downs and restructuring charges.

Springleap.com woos Paul Simon into online fashion - Springleap.com
Paul Simon, acclaimed YDE (Young Designers Emporium) founder, is teaming up with Springleap.com to once again revolutionise the fashion industry in South Africa by supporting online design.

CSI programme gets kids going
Simba is introducing a new initiative to its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) stable, called Ready Steady Go. The programme aims to encourage an active and outdoor lifestyle amongst South Africans of all ages while having fun.

Amazon reports lush Q4, expects more green
[Rachel Metz] Amazon.com said Thursday that its fourth-quarter profit rose 9% and easily surpassed analysts' forecasts. Those results, plus an optimistic forecast, sent its shares soaring 13% in extended trading.

Going online to promote SA music
[Sindy Peters] The South African music industry has recently seen some healthy developments in the online environment, with new platforms popping up to promote this attention-craving and -deserving market. Since mid-2008, the Internet and mobile web have been offering South African musicians and emerging artists a helping hand by providing the means to make their music more easily accessible to fans. Bizcommunity.com takes a look in a two-part series.

Discover a variety of vintages at the Wine Show Jo'burg
The Wine Show Jo'burg, in association with The Star, is set to delight Gauteng crowds with a virtual A - Z of the South African wine industry represented at this year's event. The three-day wine extravaganza takes place at Gallagher Estate, Midrand from 29 - 31 May 2009.


ECR Europe forum to tackle demanding shoppers
In a changing world in which shoppers are increasingly demanding, while the global economy heads into recession, looking for new solutions is more vital than ever. The European Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) aims to offer those solutions at a seminar to be held in Barcelona from 3 - 5 June 2009.

Pep recalls faulty mini ovens
Pep has become aware of a possible quality problem with a batch of Hisense mini ovens. Sales of the product have been suspended immediately and, as a precaution, the retailer is recalling any ovens bought or collected from one of its store after 24 December 2008.

Meeting Africa's development needs
[Sean Intiomale] The African economy has seen a 5.4% growth rate over the past few years. Effectiveness in trade and industry and promotion of foreign direct investments and public-private partnerships has enabled the achievement of strong macroeconomic management, investments in resource development, and improvements in the performance of the public sector.


Slump puts brakes on SA car exports
[Artwell Dlamini] Last year the African vehicle market, one of the fast growing destinations for South African car exporters such as Nissan SA, looked as if it would take the global economic slowdown in its stride.

USPS five-day delivery week could hurt e-commerce
The US Postal Service is thinking of curtailing deliveries. Postmaster General John Potter asked Congress on Wednesday to allow the postal service to go to a five-day delivery week in an effort to cut costs and bring ballooning operating deficits under control.

Lower PPI further good news for consumers
[Michael Appel] The Producer Price Index (PPI) for December 2008 dropped by 1.6% to 11% year-on-year (y/y), lending further good news to hard-pressed South Africans awaiting an interest rate cut.

South Africa: Motor city in neutral but lost jobs in overdrive
Tens of thousands of workers in South Africa's automotive sector are facing unemployment as a consequence of the global economic slowdown.


Renault to build in SA
[Bizcommunity motoring editor] Renault South Africa is poised to achieve a major milestone in February with the launch of its first locally produced model in more than three decades.

Manufacturing brand makeovers
[ActivRetail] Nampak Cartons and Labels has been manufacturing cartons for Bakers Biscuits and Pyotts for over 40 years, including all the packaging for the brand's recent makeovers.


When things don't go better...
Coca-Cola in the United States has been accused of outright fraud.

Leading cereal company thinks inside the box
Kellogg's in the US has announced a new space-saving box that gives consumers a glimpse of the possible future for the cereal aisle.


Plants poised to take over…
Plants are poised to replace petroleum products in plastics as biodegradable tech rises with concerns about the planet.

International award for Nike 'Be true pop-up store' campaign
Following its Grand Prix win at the 2008 Loeries, Trigger's Nike ‘Be true pop-up store' was recently named the winner in the Innovation & Improvement category at the Aegis Media Awards 2008 - Central Europe and South Africa. Judges were impressed with the “future-oriented and visionary concept about how to communicate brand messages. This is an extraordinary example of how to exceed our core competences by generating new business opportunities and additional sources of income.” The campaign used different media channels and incorporated events, interactive advertising, online elements and architectural ideas to extend its footprint, creating real relationships between the brand and the target audience.

US patent awards: Where has all the innovation gone?
[Jeff Meisner] IBM doesn't have a close contender when it comes to snagging patents in the US. However, a glance at the line-up reveals a somewhat jarring state of affairs: 23 of the top 35 companies awarded US patents in 2008 are not US companies. Does that mean America has lost its innovation edge?

Booze laws could bring hangover
[Lauren Cohen] If the City of Cape Town has its way, the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be a sober affair.

The slippery slope of price fixing
[Russ Aldrich] USA: A recent ruling by the Supreme Court, reversing a nearly 100 year old statute outlawing price setting, is in the spotlight for retailers, lobbyists and economic theorists.

UK grocers buck the trend
[Matthew Piner] Recent research shows that grocers in the United Kingdom are more resilient to the current financial crisis than many other sectors; it seems food is providing fuel for growth.

CMO Council 'Voice of Customer' survey results
The Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Council has found that, despite overwhelming agreement on the importance of customer experience and word-of-mouth, nearly two-thirds of companies do not have a formal 'Voice of Customer' program in place.

The crucial difference between contact management and CRM
[Andrew Boyd and Alex Jefferies] The budget cuts and spending freezes resulting from the current economic downturn have reduced the number of legitimate opportunities for sales representatives; therefore, organisations are placing a renewed emphasis on cutting costs and customer retention to combat certain economic realities.

Call centre to streamline foreign investment
[Michael Appel] The Department of Trade and Industry on Wednesday announced the establishment of South Africa's Investment Call Centre, to be officially launched in March 2009.

Best sales practices: Build lasting relationships
[Pam Baker] Sales operations have plenty of challenges before them today, but the main focus of sales managers is developing relationships with customers that go beyond selling them a single product. It's a customer-centric, rather than company-centric, approach that's gaining adherents.

Riding ad rights at OR Tambo
[ActivRetail] Indiza Media, a subsidiary of Primedia Outdoor, has secured the advertising rights for OR Tambo International Airport's (ORTIA) airport busses for five years.

Alternative payments: More ways to close the sale
[Bala Janakiraman] For the past few decades, checks, ACH, credit cards and debit cards have been the primary means of payments for consumers.

Tale of two economies
[Sasha Planting] One could be forgiven for wondering if there were two different retail sectors operating in SA right now.

Outdoor clothing retailer launches Poetry for women
In another first for the family-owned Cape Union Mart, which launched the Old Khaki stores and a new kiddies range called K-Way Kids, the company is opening its first women's lifestyle stores called Poetry.


British shoe retail chains face collapse
LONDON: British shoe retail chains Barratts and PriceLess face collapse, parent group Stylo said Monday, putting 5,400 jobs at risk as the recession continues to bite on Britain's high streets.

Retailers want fuel price hike explained
Petrol retailers have repeated calls for greater transparency in the fuel industry following the announcement of a 61c a litre price increase that kicks in on Wednesday. Mineral and energy department says the factors influencing the increase are the crude oil price and the weakness of the rand.

Toshiba's Q3 splattered with red ink
Toshiba sank into the red in the third quarter and expects a loss for the full year as the global economic crisis sinks sales of digital products and home appliances.

Feeble electronics sales erode Sony's net profit
[Jay Alabaster] Sony said Thursday its net profit plunged 95% in the October-December quarter, as the holiday shopping season provided no respite for the struggling electronics giant and tepid sales of TVs, digital cameras and cell phones hit its bottom line.

PlayStation 3 online: The good, the dull and the dumb
[Lou Kesten] Two years into the lifespan of the PlayStation 3, Sony's online offerings are a mixed bag.

Making smart CRM choices for 2009
[Erika Morphy] This year, companies seeking to invest further - or for the first time - in a CRM software system will find not only a wide array of vendors, but also a large selection of computing platforms to support the application. These can range from Software as a Service offerings typified by the standard-bearer Salesforce.com to newer cloud platforms such as Google Apps.