 3 Aug 2009 |
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Will we rue RICA?As often happens, the idea behind a law is good but sometimes the impact on you, me and business is greater than anticipated. The National Credit Act is perhaps one example… aimed at preventing the poor and those already in debt getting hopelessly into debt or further into it, the intentions behind it were very good. However, while it undoubtedly helped keep many vulnerable people out of debt, it also drove some of those who could not obtain credit and loans through mainstream organisations, to turn to other sources - such as moneylenders, for instance. A further example of a law with good intentions, but bigger-than-expected ramifications, may be RICA - the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act - and the latest amendments to it. Again, the law's intention is good, but The impact of the RICA amendments on us, personally, and on businesses, appears to remain a moot point. Tebogo Mthiyane at Werksmans Incorporating Jan S. de Villiers reckons that the provisions of the amendments will present not only an administrative minefield for employers, but will also require a significant amount of time and effort to obey their provisions properly. Shan Radcliffe, Retail editor retailnews@bizcommunity.com Responses to this column welcomed in our new online editor's column archive. Top stories
RetailBeating the market[Andrew McNulty] What kind of stocks are beating the bear market? Defensive, value or growth? On the results so far, it is all three of these. Some shares in all of these categories are doing surprisingly well, considering that the JSE entered the worst bear market in many years after reaching a record high in late May last year. Read more >>Confident of success for the long haul With about 300 brands in more than 80 countries and 28 research and development facilities on four continents, Procter & Gamble (P&G) is a global leader in fast-moving consumer goods. Read more >>Recovery in consumer spending still long way off despite 'growth' figures[Kgomotso Mathe] Recovery in consumer spending is still a long way off despite the recent release of a raft of upbeat trading figures from major retailers, analysts have warned. Read more >>CPI drops to 6.9%The Consumer Price Index (CPI), used to measure inflation, dropped to 6.9% in June compared to 8% in May, reported Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Wednesday, 29 July 2009. Read more >>Women of the Nederburg Auction This year is a momentous one for the South African wine industry. Not only does it celebrate 350 years of winemaking excellence in South Africa, it also marks the 35th anniversary of the Nederburg Auction - and with National Women's Day just around the corner, it is fitting that this year's Auction welcomes female winemakers - Andrea Freeborough, Liza Goodwin, and family duo, Irina von Holdt and Fran Botha. Read more >>Borletti emerges as main Lacroix suitorPARIS, FRANCE: Italian retailer Borletti has emerged as the early favourite to take over the Christian Lacroix fashion house, in administration since early June, its court-appointed administrators said. Read more >>Decisive week ahead for LacroixPARIS, FRANCE: Next week will be decisive for the future of the Christian Lacroix fashion house, in administration since early June, as the deadline for potential buyers to submit their offers expired on Monday, 27 July 2009. Read more >>AssociationsSactwu bemoans wage disputesThe Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers' Union (Sactwu) on Tuesday, 28 July 2009, said that wage negotiations in 12 centralised bargains had thus far seen five cases settled, with the remaining seven still locked in negotiations. Read more >>Brand newsKKR plans to list Toys R Us on stock marketUS private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) plans initial public offerings (IPOs) worth billions of dollars for up to six of its companies, including Toys R Us, the Financial Times said on Saturday, 1 August 2009. Read more >>SABMiller performance in line with expectations One of the world's largest brewers SABMiller on Friday said financial performance for the three months ended June 30 was in line with expectations. Read more >>Aquafresh launches white & shine herbal
Travel light in style Samsonite is launching what it considers its lightest and strongest luggage range ever - the Cosmolite. Read more >>Cadbury net profit nearly triples in first half LONDON, UK: British confectionery maker Cadbury said today, Wednesday 29 July 2009, that interim net profits almost tripled thanks to a strong performance in emerging markets and its chocolate division. Read more >>PPC Cement brands tankers in 3D PPC Cement recently brought its well-known elephant to life in a fresh new way on a different medium - on its first 3D branded cement tankers - in what it claims is a first for South Africa. Read more >>Better Health for Appletiser
Corporate Social InvestmentAlgoa FM takes Vodacom Fame radio challengeEastern Cape radio station Algoa FM recently ‘out-danced' and ‘out-voted' 10 other radio stations nationwide - taking 55.59% of the votes - in the Vodacom Fame radio challenge. The station is donating the grand prize of R500 000 to five charities. Read more >>Aspiring hotel manager wins Wimpy Youth Day bursary
Nominate the Carling Community ChampionThose living in the Western Cape have been called on to nominate a Carling Black Label community champion. The public will then choose a winner from those nominated, a spokesman for the brand said earlier this week. Read more >>DistributionIllicit trade offsets BAT cigarette volumes in SABritish American Tobacco (BAT) on Thursday, 30 July 2009, said that cigarette volumes in South Africa were down from last year, exacerbated by an increase in illicit trade and reductions in trade inventories. Read more >>Luxottica stays upbeat despite profit dropMILAN, ITALY: Italy's Luxottica, ostensibly the world's biggest maker of sunglasses, on Tuesday, 28 July 2009, said its net earnings dropped less steeply in the second quarter giving the company greater confidence about the future. Read more >>e-CommerceeBay to reward top-rated sellers WASHINGTON, USA: In a bid to drum up more business, eBay on Monday, 27 July 2009, said it plans to reward top-rated sellers on the online auction site. Read more >>ExhibitionsExciting designer line up for Arise Cape Town Fashion Week Arise Cape Town Fashion Week 2009, a presentation of South Africa's most vibrant and inspired design talent, is proud to announce the collections to be shown at Cape Town International Convention Centre from the 20th to the 22nd of August 2009. Read more >>Merrily kicking off eighth Stellenbosch wine fest One of the biggest and longest-running food and wine festivals in the Cape, the Stellenbosch Wine Festival, is set to stage its eighth annual event at the Paul Roos Centre, 30 July - 2 August 2009. This year's festival goers are set to enjoy a special selection of more than 500 wines and gourmet delights from 170 top exhibitors, all under one roof. Read more >>Green & OrganicStep lightly in green shoes [Keitumetse Segoai] Houses have gone green, cars have gone green, and now shoes are following in their footsteps. Read more >>Branding conference offers international speakers Brands & Branding for Good, billed as South Africa's first conference to include a major focus on brand relationships with increasingly socially and environmentally ‘aware' consumers, has released the names of the majority of its keynote speakers, who represent international brand names in advertising and products. Read more >>Import/ExportEU turns to WTO in alcohol row with PhilippinesBRUSSELS: The European Union (EU) has begun action against the Philippines at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over what the bloc claims are excessively high duties imposed on imports of EU brandy and whisky, the Union said Wednesday, 29 July 2009. Read more >>Informal retailingDemolition of eThekwini market halted[Canaan Mdletshe] The Durban high court on Wednesday, 29 July 2009, gave hope to the Early Morning Market traders by setting aside a ruling on the impending demolition of the 99-year-old site. Read more >>LogisticsContainer company opens in East London [Derrick Spies] A new container and warehouse facility has been opened by BLG Logistics on the West Bank in East London. Read more >>Dutch TNT reports profit slumping 60%THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS: Dutch logistics group TNT reported on Monday a 60.5% slump in second-quarter earnings, much worse than expected by analysts. Read more >>ManufacturingPPI drops to 4.1%The Producer Price Index (PPI), the prices of goods leaving factories and mines, dropped to 4.1% year-on-year, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) announced on Thursday, 30 July 2009. Read more >>RegulatoryGap, Levis supplier in big troubleA factory that produces jeans for US clothing retailers Gap and Levi Strauss is allegedly illegally dumping chemical waste in Lesotho, posing a major hazard to children, London's Sunday Times reported yesterday. Read more >>The impact of the RICA amendmentsAmendments to RICA will not only burden mobile cellular operators and consumers, employers will now also be under the spotlight. Read more >>Bad service could cost millions [Gareth Vorster] Mobile communications companies would be subjected to a R500,000 fine for poor network standards, the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) has said. Read more >>Monaco seeks global bluefin tuna trade banGENEVA, SWITZERLAND: Monaco has tabled a formal proposal to place overfished Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna on the list of the world's most endangered species, a move that could ban all trade of the fish. Read more >>ResearchRain, smoking bans dampen German beer sales BERLIN, GERMANY: Germans have been drinking less of their legendary beer this year due to damp, cool weather, higher prices and a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants, the Federal Statistics Office said on Thursday, 30 July 2009. Read more >>SA needs constructive collaborationUpstream and downstream collaboration is recognised as essential in dealing with a number of challenges in the supply chain, offering real strategic potential and benefit. A recent study into the supply chain and logistics practises of South African companies, Supply Chain Intelligence Report (SCIR) 2009, has however revealed that companies in the construction industry are lagging behind in terms of international best practise as they experience poor visibility in their supply chains due to low levels of collaboration. Read more >>Retail marketingRaising awareness of HP's world first concept store Hewlett Packard has launched its world first Experience Concept Store located at Sandton City. The HP Experience Store is a premium retail outlet with dedicated sales gurus, super exclusive products and personalised offerings which are a first not only to South Africa, but the rest of the globe. HP has commissioned Primall Media to engage a multi-media campaign, ensuring maximum exposure to shoppers and inviting them to experience the store. Read more >>Promoting South African wine in China [Michael Jones] BEIJING, CHINA: Considering the depth of South Africa's winemaking abilities, I am utterly disappointed most of the times I dine out in Beijing when I discover that the establishment's wine list either includes no South African wines or only contains extremely low cost brands at ridiculous prices of R300. I always wonder what people not familiar with our country or our wine industry must think when drinking the worst our country has to offer. Read more >>Retail servicesCustomer care centre receives quality accreditationQuestek Customer Care, a division of the Questek group of companies has received its ISO 9001 accreditation from SGS South Africa, a leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. Read more >>RetailersHugo Boss loss more than doublesFRANKFURT, GERMANY: German fashion group Hugo Boss said on Thursday, 30 July 2009, that its net loss had more than doubled in the second quarter but forecast an improvement next year. Read more >>Super Group sees earnings lossSupply chain management business Super Group on Thursday advised shareholders that it was expecting to report a consolidated net loss for the financial year ended 30 June 2009 of between R1.120 million and R1.370 million, resulting in a loss per share of between 245 cents and 299 cents, and a headline loss per share of between 141 cents and 195 cents. Read more >>Microsoft to kick off retail gambit[Jessica Mintz] USA: Microsoft is planning to open its first two retail stores in Arizona and California this fall. Read more >>Ahold supermarket sales miss forecastsTHE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS: Dutch retail giant Ahold reported second quarter sales of €6.43 billion (US$9.2 billion), yesterday, Tuesday 28 July 2009, up 11.5% from a year earlier but short of analyst forecasts for €6.55 billion. Read more >>French luxury group LVMH sees profit dropPARIS, FRANCE: French luxury giant LVMH, maker of Louis Vuitton bags and Moet champagne, a 23% profit drop for the first six months of 2009 to €687 million ($977 million). Read more >>Supply chainTranskei tea production ‘not viable'[Mayibongwe Maqhina] The provincial government has been ordered to plough alternative crops to replace tea plants at the Magwa and Majola tea estates. Read more >>TechnologyPoliticians face off with supporters on FacebookForget branch meetings! Robust debates now take place on political parties' group pages on social networking websites like Facebook. Read more >>MTN, Bharti extend exclusivity periodSouth African telecommunications company MTN said Monday that discussions between it and Indian telecommunications company Bharti regarding a potential transaction are continuing and both parties have agreed to extend the exclusivity period until August 31 2009. Read more >>Namibia cuts phone fees before SA[Lesley Stones] Opposition to the high cost of making a cellphone call from one network to another is rising, with SA now being derided for falling behind Namibia in its prices. Read more >>Apple to unveil tablet computer?WASHINGTON, USA: According to various reports, Apple plans to come out later this year with a portable tablet-sized computer that can surf the Web and may also serve as an electronic book reader. Read more >>
Brand newsTempting treat for two available exclusively at Häagen-Dazs shops - General Mills Häagen-Dazs and Illy have teamed up this winter to offer a tempting treat for two - pop into a Häagen-Dazs Shop and enjoy a second cup of coffee, cappuccino or espresso for free. Read more >>Cadbury Gorilla drums up support for the Bokke - Cadbury South Africa Cadbury Dairy Milk joined fans across the country in support of the Bokke as they beat the All Blacks 28 - 19 in Bloemfontein for the first time. Their award-winning “Gorilla” TV commercial was adapted to reveal the words “Go Bokke” on the drum kit featured in the ad. Read more >>Frosting is the icing on top - General Mills Pillsbury's Creamy Supreme Frosting is a ready-to-spread icing made with the finest ingredients that complements Pillsbury's range of cakes, muffins, brownies and desserts. Read more >>Pillsbury adds quality and innovative solutions to the TubeSet batter range - General Mills Pillsbury's convenient TubeSet product range, the innovative batter delivery system, has a new Limited Edition flavour - Caramel Chocolate Fudge. As only 2000 cases have been produced, the Limited Edition TubeSet will only be available until end October 2009. Read more >>
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