Crisis averted, records made | | Megan Beukes, Amy-lee Koordon and Kosie Jacobs chow down on the world's largest hot cross bun that was given to the Red Cross Children's Hospital. |
Another week, another strike, another probe. Although this time it's the public transport sector that planned to put itself on hold, while banking bigwigs, Visa and Mastercard, are facing the Competition Commission's beady eye. Fortunately, the transport strike that would have stranded some one million railway commuters has been averted following a new wage offer. And while dissatisfaction over service delivery (or the lack thereof) still runs riot throughout the country, Icasa is at least doing something about the quality of local communications networks... and that is imposing fines on cellular service providers should the quality of their networks drop. But now for something completely different: South Africa's Safari Dried Fruits and Sasko have finally been awarded the Guiness World Record title for making the world's largest hot cross bun, after an almost four-month adjudication process. The monster Easter snack weighed in at 103kg, some 20kg heavier than the previous record that was set by an Irish bakery. It just goes to show that with a little team effort, South Africans can still reach record-breaking heights...! Shan Radcliffe, Retail editor retailnews@bizcommunity.comResponses to this column welcomed in our new online editor's column archive. Top stories
Retail
Selected from amongst more than 1,000 entries, Lincoln Mokoena is one of 11 finalists in this year's AuDITIONS Urban Tribes gold jewellery design competition. Read more >>[Larry Claasen] Country Foods is in a mess. Its phone lines have been cut and officially it does not have a CEO, a chairman or a financial director. Neither does it have an auditor, a designated adviser or a company secretary. It's unclear whether it has operational assets. Read more >> [Sasha Planting] Big supermarket chains need the small suppliers, who in turn need the supermarkets. Yet small suppliers say the odds are not loaded in their favour. Read more >> South African agri-business Afgri said on Wednesday, 22 July 2009, that Afgri Operations and Laeveld Korporatiewe Beleggings, both wholly owned subsidiaries of Afgri, have reached an agreement, which if it becomes unconditional, will see the disposal of 11 retail branches in the Lowveld area to MGK Bedryfsmaatskappy. Read more >> The R1,2-billion Mall of the North regional shopping centre in Polokwane is set to open in the first quarter next year with construction well under way. Read more >> [Adele Shevel] Since January 2008 wheat costs have come down, but bread prices have not. Read more >>Retail group Massmart Holdings (MSM) said on Monday, 20 July 2009, that feedback from its subsidiary stores, Makro and Massdiscounters (Game and Dion stores), appeared to indicate that proposed industrial action was unlikely to be widely supported. Read more >>Associations
The South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) on Wednesday, 22 July 2009, said it had served wholesaler Massmart (MSM) with notices for protest action on Friday 24 July. Read more >>Banking & Finance
[Yolande van Wyk] It wasn't long ago that mobile banking was barely known by account holders in South Africa. It was only in 2001 that certain of the large South African banks launched a version of mobile banking. These services attracted little interest from account holders with most of the initiatives failing. As late as the beginning of 2005, the future viability of mobile banking was uncertain and disputed. Neither the local nor the international banks were actively developing mobile services. Read more >>  MTN on Thursday, 23 July 2009, said it has launched its Mobile Money offering in Ghana. Read more >>Brand news
 After an adjudication waiting period, Safari Dried Fruit and Sasko's attempt for the world's largest hot cross bun, which took place on 4 April 2009 in Cape Town, has officially been awarded the Guinness World Record title. Read more >> Unilever has had an Advertising Standards Authority ruling overturned, it announced today, Monday, 27 July 2009. This follows a complaint from a competing washing powder manufacturer, which the ASA initially upheld. Read more >> With its strategic focus on building alcoholic beverage brands, KWV Ltd has decided to sell its grape juice concentrate plant in Upington to neighbouring Orange River Wine Cellars (OWC) for R70 million. The transaction will see the grape juice concentrate business being transferred as a running concern to OWC on 1 September 2009. Read more >>KWV Investments on Wednesday, 22 July 2009, announced the appointment of Jan Mouton, Chris Otto (financial director), Khutso Mampeule and Abrie Botha to its board of directors. Read more >> Tshivhase Tea Estates in Limpopo have launched Midi Tea, a 100% South African produced and packaged black tea. Read more >> NEW YORK: Global beverage giant Coca-Cola on Tuesday, 21 July 2009, reported forecast-beating quarterly profit, aided by strong volume growth in emerging markets like China and India. Read more >>Corporate Social Investment
 SAAM Mountain Vineyards, produced by Perdeberg Winery, has joined forces with Comic Relief, a British charity organisation in association with Red Nose Day UK, to create the first ever Comic Relief Wines known as Wine Relief and helped in the efforts to raise a record almost £80-million (more than R1-billion). Read more >>Distribution
BEIJING: China's $200-billion sovereign wealth fund has bought 1.1% of prominent British alcoholic drinks maker Diageo in a move to diversify its investments, the UK's Financial Times said on Tuesday, 21 July 2009. Read more >>e-Commerce
 SAN FRANCISCO: Online retail giant Amazon announced on Wednesday, 22 July 2009, that it was purchasing popular Internet shoe shop Zappos.com in a stock and cash deal valued at nearly US$850 million. Read more >> SAN FRANCISCO, USA: Barnes & Noble on Monday, 20 July 2009, launched what it bills as the world's largest online electronic book shop with virtual shelves holding more than 700,000 titles. Read more >>Exhibitions
East Cape Biltong Festival keeps on growingAccording to the organiser, Marette Liddel, this year's Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival attracted around 13 000 visitors to Somerset East last weekend 17-18 July 2009. “Spirits were high and good weather over the weekend, combined with a full entertainment programme, helped draw the crowds despite the current economic downturn,” she said, adding that stallholders and sponsors reported an increase in sales over last year and visitors praised the ‘excellent' biltong and salami on sale.George is gearing up for two food festivals sure to please the palate of both savoury and sweet lovers. Read more >>Franchising
 Famous Brands has aquired the South African and African business of fast casual coffee-themed franchise Mugg & Bean for a cash consideration of R104 million, the company announced today, 27 July 2009. Read more >>NEW YORK: US fast-food chain McDonald's on Thursday, 23 July 2009, reported second-quarter net profit of $1.09 billion, down 8.0% from a year ago as the weaker dollar weighed on revenue. Read more >>Hospitality
 South African Tourism, in partnership with First National Bank (FNB), have called on consumers to nominate establishments and tourism services that they feel have delivered outstanding services for the Welcome Awards. Read more >>LONDON: Compass Group, ostensibly the world's biggest caterer, said on Thursday, 23 July 2009, that profits increased in the group's third quarter despite slowing sales. Read more >> The new Protea Hotel Melrose Arch, situated in the vibrant Melrose Arch Precinct will be opening in the first quarter of 2010, with the aim to become an economical option for frequent business travelers to this burgeoning hub. Read more >>Manufacturing
A Mandela Bay manufacturing plant has achieved the highest rating possible judged on worldwide quality and productivity standards. Read more >>[Derrick Spies] New technology upgrades are under way at the Johnson & Johnson manufacturing facility in East London as the plant gears up to incorporate two new production lines from Cape Town. Read more >> [Canaan Mdletshe] The KwaZulu-Natal government has put aside R70 million in a bid to rescue its clothing and textile industry. Read more >>  Uganda has launched a coffee roasting and packaging company, described as the first of its kind in Africa. President Yoweri Museveni launched the Good African Coffee factory on Friday, 17 July 2009. Read more >>[Artwell Dlamini] Some vehicle parts suppliers were in danger of going bankrupt due to the persistent liquidity crisis, while others were becoming acquisitive targets, industry players said Monday, 20 July 2009. Read more >>  [Mathabo le Roux] The Department of Trade and Industry has had to abandon plans to rescue the Frame Group, the textile arm of SA's largest clothing manufacturer, Seardel, after it failed to convince an Asian foreign investor to take up a stake in the failed company. Read more >>Regulatory
 Cellphone companies will now be fined if the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) finds that their network quality has dropped. Read more >> [Rob Rose] Visa and Mastercard, already in the spotlight after a Competition Commission inquiry into bank fees last year, are facing a competition probe after a complaint by a Johannesburg-based business. Read more >>[Sanchia Temkin] The South African Revenue Service (SARS) will in future have to pay interest on duty drawbacks and refunds, according to proposed amendments to the Customs and Excise Act. Read more >> Research
[Mariam Isa] The number of financially vulnerable consumers in SA is rising, spurred by their reluctance to save, extravagant spending and falling income, a new survey has shown. Read more >> In times of volatility, collaboration forwards and backwards along the supply chain becomes imperative, not only to ensure that short term survival and service is sustained, but so that long term strategic considerations are not compromised. A recent study into the supply chain and logistics industry in South Africa, Supply Chain Intelligence Report (SCIR) 2009, has however indicated that the majority of companies in the automotive industry in South Africa not only operate with low levels of collaboration, but are also not sensitive or reactive to the changing market. Read more >>Retail marketing
 [Dr Dunja Kartte] If you knew everything about tomorrow - what would you do differently today? The answer to that is probably everything. Read more >>Retail services
[Francis Carden] Cost-cutting in the contact centre doesn't have to involve a painful trade-off. In fact, improving efficiencies through automation can benefit employees, increase revenue, and improve customer satisfaction, transforming a call centre into one of an organisation's most valuable departments. Read more >> [Christopher Cook] Having a positive branding message go viral is a marketer's dream. However, the very technologies that enable e-commerce to run like a well-oiled machine can distribute negative messages just as blindingly fast. Tools that help a company monitor and respond to every single customer transaction can help improve a customer's overall experience, thus boosting retention - and the bottom line. Read more >> [Jennigay Coetzer] SMS is used more in customer relationship management (CRM) in developing countries such as South Africa than in other markets because more individuals have cellphones than internet access. Read more >> Retailers
Retailer of building materials Cashbuild said in a voluntary trading update on Monday, 27 July 2009, that revenue was up 18% from the fourth quarter of the prior financial year. Read more >>Retailer Woolworths Holdings said on Thursday, 23 July 2009, it estimates that EPS for the year ended 30 June will be between 40% and 50% higher than the results of the prior year. Read more >> [Kgomotso Mathe] Furniture and electrical goods retailer Lewis yesterday, 22 July 2009, received a “buy” rating from the Bank of America citing the group's proven business model and low cost base. Read more >>Security
[Lee-Anne Butler] Eastern Cape jewellery retailers and manufacturers are concerned about the safety of their staff and their goods as they believe an organised syndicate is targeting stores along the Garden Route. Read more >> Supply chain
BRUSSELS: The European Commission will reject any freeze or cut in milk prices despite demands from France and Germany and dairy farmers hit by falling prices, according to a draft document. Read more >>Technology
 Benmore Gardens, Sandton, is reportedly the first shopping centre in South Africa to implement I-Energy, the wireless management system that enables centre management to monitor and control its electricity consumption. Read more >> First National Bank (FNB) customers can now Tata ma Chance and play the national lottery using their cellphones, the ATM machine or by using online banking. Read more >>[Proffesor Ndawonde] Set Top Boxes (STBs), which are to be used as part of the Broadcasting Digital Migration (BDM) process, are likely to be available at retail stores during the first half of 2010. Read more >>  TomTom, a leading provider of navigation solutions and digital maps, is launching a navigation device designed especially with women in mind. Read more >>Brand news
 Häagen-Dazs, the luxury ice cream maker, invites you to its shops in Hyde Park, Sandton City and the V&A Waterfront to come and indulge the exclusive mouthwatering new Limited Edition Cherries & Cream and range addition Caramel Biscuit & Cream flavours. Read more >> I&J Deep Water Hake Fillets are part of the premium I&J Deep Water Hake natural cuts range which includes Fillets, Prime Fillets, Prime Steaks and Prime Medallions. A convenient new pack size has been added to the range - a 600g pack of I&J Deep Water Hake Fillets. Read more >> The successful introduction of I&J Extra Light fish fillet portions Herb & Lemon to the market several years ago has led to I&J launching a second flavour option, Garlic & Parsley. Read more >>Corporate Social Investment
Hertz provided ‘vehicle relief' for the recent Angels Walk initiative, which saw Angel's Haven founder and chairperson, Debbie Taylor, and co-walker, Samantha Beale, walking from Cape Town to Johannesburg to raise funds and awareness for abused woman and children. Read more >>Exhibitions
 Capetonians are in for a special treat from 30 October to 1 November, when Baby City will be bringing everybody's favourite dinosaur, Barney, and friends, BJ and Baby Bop, to The Baby Expo Cape Town, taking place at the CTICC. Read more >>Instore media
 Parklane SUPERSPAR, one of Pietermaritzburg's busiest supermarkets, has reported a 1% boost in gross profits on groceries since installing the Pricer electronic shelf labelling (ESL) system, sold, implemented and maintained by XON company, Skydirect. Read more >>Manufacturing
 Path Plastics' lockers include two-tier clothes/changeroom lockers, three-tier lockers and a soon-to-be-introduced four-tier locker. The food/utility lockers can be placed into five- or six-tier configurations but as they are modular they can maximise space with a variety of combinations. Read more >> Made under license from Sturdy Products in Ireland to exact specifications, the Sturdy mortar tub is the ideal bin to move mortar on building sites in South Africa. Read more >>Retail marketing
 Scan Display has launched a range of Retail Merchandising Units (RMU's) specifically designed to allow retailers to capitalise on previously unusable space within shopping centres. Read more >>
Excellent opportunity for dynamic salesperson to work in leading decor company. Previous sales, good admin and excellent customer care skills required. Must be bilingual (English/Afrikaans). Competitive package offered. Read more >>
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