Big Blue t-shirt design winner announced

Big Blue announced today, Monday 19 October 2009, that Thandeka Bobani has won this year's annual Makhulu Polane t-shirt design competition with the design ‘Boy with a Wheel.' Special mention also goes to Ivana Raguz (Hold Africa High) and Louis Minnaar (Far, far away) as their designs were very close contenders. Read more >>

Recession persists for SA retailers

South African consumers remain in the doldrums, even as the economy begins to show signs of improvement, according to analysts Moody's Economy.com. Read more >>

Wholesale trade sales for Aug fall by 12.4%

Wholesale trade sales for August 2009 fell by 12.4% year-on-year, Statistics South Africa said on Thursday, 15 October 2009. Read more >>

Cuts in interest rates fail to help retailers

[Mariam Isa] Retail sales plunged 7% in the year to August, far more steeply than expected, showing that lower interest rates have not alleviated the plight of the economy's third-biggest sector. Read more >>

Retail trade figures continue falling

Retail trade sales in South Africa continued falling in August 2009 compared to the same time last year, Statistics South Africa reported on Wednesday, 14 October 2009. Read more >>

Massmart seeks to acquire large retailers

[Kgomotso Mathe] Massmart, SA's largest wholesaler, said last week it would spend a fraction of its R380m capital expenditure to acquire large independent retailers next year. Read more >>

Eskom reveals tariff application details

South Africans could soon be paying an additional 45% on their electricity bill every year over the course of the next three years, power utility Eskom said on Tuesday, 13 October 2009. Read more >>

Afri-Forum protests action against Nestlé in Zim

[Michael Hamlyn] The right-wing lobby group, Afri-Forum, has protested that the decision by the Zimbabwean authorities to freeze the bank accounts of Nestlé in the country shows that true political change has not yet come about there. Read more >>

Finopoly targets non-subscribers

Fin24.com has launched an online game called Finopoly aimed at encouraging readers to engage with financial markets and find out more about investment options, news and trends on the Fin24.com news portal. It aims to encourage people to start playing an active role in their personal wealth creation. Read more >>

PUMA scores a hat trick

Sportslifestyle brand, PUMA, last week unveiled the 2010 football kits for the 11 African teams it sponsors; announced the signing of Algeria FA to its portfolio; and was named the Official Fan Shop of the Orange African Cup of Nations Angola 2010. Read more >>

BAT bats defensively

[Sasha Planting] Cyclical shares are running and punters, eager to recoup last year's losses, are chasing them. Anglo American has jumped 84% from R139 in March to R256,50. Luxury brands purveyor Richemont is up 55% from R13,05 to R20; Standard Bank has gained 60% while fashion retailer Foschini has added 78,5%. Read more >>

Most popular forecourt retailer

The Times and Sowetan 2009 Retail Awards, conducted by TNS Research Surveys, has determined the most popular forecourt retailer. Engen Quick Shop was first with BP Express second with only 1% between the votes, again proved that the retail environment is highly competitive with small differences in ratings. Read more >>

Sarie Kos's food editor clinches Galliova Award

Barbara Joubert, Sarie KOS's food editor, is the winner of the 20th annual Galliova Food Writer of the Year award, which were held recently at Tokara Wine Estate, Stellenbosch. Read more >>

No labels, no clichés, it's Absolut

The limited edition Absolut Vodka bottle with no label was officially unveiled during London Fashion Week (18 - 22 September 2009), at an exclusive cocktail presented by Absolut and Fantastic Man. The original Absolut bottle, designed by Swedish designers Gunnar Broman and Hans Brindfors in 1979, but without the Absolut logo and label will be launched globally in October 2009. Read more >>

Valpre water plant for Heidelberg

An investment estimated to inject more than R400 million into the country was officially announced earlier this week by Coca-Cola South Africa. The new Valpre Water Bottling plant is to be established in Heidelberg. Read more >>

Overwhelming retailer response to Mall of the North launch

Almost 700 tenant applications for retail space have already been received for Limpopo's Mall of the North - showing a very positive response for the province's largest single property development to date. Set to open in the first quarter of 2011, the 75,000m² regional shopping centre is currently being developed in a prime location in the province's capital city Polokwane and is already 90% let. Read more >>

Game City, new look, new name

Growthpoint Properties, the owners of Game City Shopping Centre in Greyville Durban, have announced a R15 million makeover to modernise the interior and exterior of the building and improve parking. It will also rename the building ‘City View', given the spectacular 360 degree views of the city from the top of the building. Read more >>

Green light for Menlyn Maine

Menlyn Maine, described as the first connected green city in Africa, will have its infrastructural installations such as water, electricity, sewage and communications completed by end of January 2010, with the first building construction starting in February 2010. Read more >>

Franschhoek opens its gardens for charity

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Franschhoek Wine Valley Tourism Association is hosting its Open Gardens Festival from 24 - 25 October 2009, allowing the public access to ten of the area's most beautiful blooming gardens in all their spring finery. There will be a fresh goods market in the middle of town with a wine, bubbly, beer and tea garden and live music to be enjoyed in between garden viewings. There will be plant sales and talks given by many gardening experts such as Keith Kirsten, Marie Favard from Ludwig's Roses, and Bridgit Kitley talking about herbs, plus Sue Norman and Jann Kirkby talking on general landscaping trends. Franschhoek Open Gardens is a charitable event held to raise funds for the Lions Club of Franschhoek, which looks after the Franschhoek old age home called Fleur de Lis. The SPCA is another worthy recipient of funds raised over the weekend. Festival admission is R100 and this allows full entrance over the two days. Ticket prices for the talks range from R20 - R60. Tickets can be purchased online through www.webtickets.co.za. For more information call Franschhoek Tourism offices on +27 (0)21 876 2861.

Brands & Branding for Good goes green

Instead of purchasing gifts for the delegate packs at the upcoming Brands & Branding for Good conference, the organisers will purchase as many trees as there are delegates attending the conference from Food & Trees for Africa (FTfA). These trees, fruit-bearing varieties, will be planted in Tembisa. Read more >>

SA national brand ambassadors join Christina Aguilera

The KFC Add Hope campaign has four new South African national brand ambassadors, who join five-time Grammy Award winner, Christina Aguilera in the global fight against hunger. They are Isidingo star Jack Devnarain, World Food Programme (WFP) ambassador Hlubi Mboya and hip hop stars Lebo and Siya of Skwatta Kamp. Read more >>

Entrepreneurs to compete for 'Kiln' space

Reinher Behrens, group chief executive McCann Worldgroup SA, announced in early October 2009 that an enterprise development initiative known as ‘The Kiln' has space for two more micro enterprises in which to run their businesses. “We have started the search for the last two micro enterprises by launching a competition, in which we ask entrepreneurs to motivate why they should be considered for this project,” states Behrens. Read more >>

World Food Day - join FoodBank in caring

FoodBank is planning an extensive media and publicity campaign, as well as launching its donations platform internationally to highlight World Food Day, an UN-sponsored event to highlight the issues of food security and global hunger that culminates on Friday, 16 October 2009. Read more >>

Call centre makes business easier for investors

The investment call centre launched in Soweto on Friday will make doing business easier for both local and international investors, says Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies. Read more >>

New Nashua Mobile business division

Nashua Mobile has established a new division, EasiSolutions, to provide individually tailored answers to the issues and queries of business customers of all sizes. Read more >>

New fuel depot in Cape Town

Engen has opened its own fuel storage and loading depot, Cape Town Terminal, in Montague Gardens near its old location as part of the Chevron Refinery in Milnerton. Read more >>

International mouth guards now available

OPROshield mouth guards, described as the world's most advanced self-fit mouth guard, and supplied to many of the 2009 British and Irish Lions team, are now available in South Africa. Read more >>

Vote for best e-commerce store

Voting is now open for the 2009 SA E-Commerce Awards. Read more >>

Insight into virtual currency at 27dinner

eBucks' CIO and industry guru Benjamin Marais will serve as guest speaker at Cape Town's October 27dinner, where he will address the highly topical issue of virtual currency. Read more >>

Wellness show performs beyond expectations

The first Look Good and Feel Good Expo, held at the Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg, 9 - 11 October 2009, attracted over 16  000 visitors to view exhibitors in the health and wellness sector. Read more >>

SandtonBosch's DiVineX at WineX

In celebration of RMB WineX Joburg's 10 year anniversary, the Wine Diva has mapped out a guided walking tour especially for woman to showcase some exceptional tastings on offer at the expo. Read more >>

Top designers descend on Durban

[Sne Masuku] The country's top designers have descended on Durban to showcase their latest collections for this summer in the Sanlam South African Fashion Week. Read more >>

Cement international fair successful

Last month saw the first Pan Mixers International Product Fair where international and local exhibitors showcased their latest wares in Jet Park Johannesburg. Read more >>

Nando's makes an impression in US

[Adele Shevel] Nando's has made it into Fortune magazine, meaning that the local fast-food icon is making its presence felt in the world's biggest and most competitive market. Read more >>

Learn tourism from Nigeria, Mozambique, Angola at HICA

Hospitality Investment Conference Africa (HICA) will take place from 4 - 6 November 2009 at the Sandton Sun and, among other topics, is supposed to offer new and unique insights into some key African destinations: Mozambique, Nigeria and Angola. Read more >>

SA port terminal volumes seen up 10% y/y

[Evan Pickworth] Volumes at South Africa's port terminals will grow up to 10% per year over the next five years despite the current recession and volume decrease of 3.3% this year, according to Transnet. Read more >>

Brazil beckons

Brazil, one of the four key emerging economic world powers alongside China, Russia and India, is sending a trade mission from the State of Pernambuco, north-eastern Brazil, to Johannesburg on Tuesday 20 October 2009 at the Sandton Convention Centre, to engage with accredited South African importers and exporters. Read more >>

Clothing import duty increase in effect

The Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union (Sactwu) said that it welcomed the increase in import duties on certain clothing products. Read more >>

Expected ‘mass protest' total flop

[Canaan Mdletshe] A flop. This sums up yesterday's march by the Durban Unicity Forum Informal Traders, which supports the controversial Warwick Triangle development in Durban. Read more >>

R178m investment boost for Bay logistics park

An investment of R178-million and the creation of hundreds of jobs was announced on Sunday, 18 October 2009, for the Nelson Mandela Bay logistics park in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape. Read more >>

Clothing union to sign wage deal

The Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union (Sactwu) is expected to sign a wage agreement today, Thursday 15 October 2009, after its members embarked on a 10-day strike last month. Read more >>

Must defend strategic industrial capacity: Davies

Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies said on Monday, 12 October 2009, that the clothing and textile industry in SA was not inevitably doomed and the government would defend strategic industrial capacity. Read more >>

Clothing industry wants laws enforced

[Linda Ensor] Employers and workers in the clothing industry have combined forces to lobby the government to recriminalise noncompliance with labour legislation. Read more >>

Health Dept to regulate trans fats in foods

The Department of Health is to develop legislation aimed at reducing certain trans fatty acids in some processed and prepared foods currently for sale in South Africa, with particular emphasis on trans fats derived from the process of partial hydrogenation of vegetable oil. Read more >>

Mobile operators, committee to meet on high rates

Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communication will meet cellphone operators today, 13 October 2009, and tomorrow to discuss the proposal to slash interconnection fees by more than half. Read more >>

State of ICT in NGOs released

The State of ICT in South African NGOs 2009, was released yesterday Thursday 15 October 2009, by market research organisation, World Wide Worx and NGO technology facilitator SANGONeT. Read more >>

Magnum pleasure campaign

Magnum Ice Cream has launched a pleasure campaign, in all participating Spar stores nationwide from now until 15 November 2009, offering one winner a week one of the six luxury Discover South Africa holiday packages for two people valued at R20 000 (with a R3000 travel allowance). Read more >>

Baby show popular with viewers

The Toys R Us Baby Show, a SABC 2 Advertiser Funded Programme (AFP) launched at the end of August 2009, has received excellent feedback from viewers across the country. It runs until 24th October. Read more >>

The head, heart and hand of branding

[Thabani Khumalo] The brand new world created by globalisation, informed citizenry and consumer's demand for brand experience presents a challenge for global brands to balance their aggressive marketing campaigns with social responsibility. Read more >>

Cavendish Square gets new faces

Cavendish Square launched its first competition in late September 2009 to find a male and female face that translates what its core brand essence stands for: youthful, sophisticated, stylish and fashionable. Following hundreds of applications and tough judging, Don Madge from Claremont and Tamsin Groom from Stellenbosch were announced as the winners at an event held at the centre on Saturday 3 October. Read more >>

Any more marketing opportunities from crime situation?

[Chris Moerdyk] Apart from being held to ransom by security and insurance companies, are there any more marketing opportunities in the crime situation? Well, I think there is at least one big one and it all has to do with these car guards we now see at every single shopping centre. Read more >>

First SA stores for Aussie fashion brand

Forever New, reportedly Australia's hottest high street brand, will open its first two South African stores in Fourways Mall and Woodlands Boulevard in Pretoria in December 2009. Noted for setting new standards in fashion forward design with exceptional quality and value, the international catwalks and celebrity-led trends, styled with a range of accessories to create unique looks, inspire its original designs. Read more >>

Woolies launches flagship Aussie brand stores

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Cape Town's V&A Waterfront will see the opening of the first independent flagship stores for Woolworth's Australian brands, Country Road and Trenery, this December. Currently available exclusively at Woolies, both clothing lines are owned by the retail group. Country Road was introduced to the South African market in April 2008, with Trenery making its debut at selected stores in August this year. The Country Road store will offer the complete lifestyle range including womenswear, menswear, kidswear and babywear as well as accessories and homeware. The Trenery store, which will be located alongside Country Road, will provide womenswear, menswear and accessories.

Shoprite will not invest in Zimbabwe

Retail group Shoprite on Monday, 12 October 2009, announced that it had decided not to engage in investment opportunities in Zimbabwe. Read more >>

Conveyancing fraud seminar reveals increases

Senior members of the banking industry and the legal fraternity, recently came together to discuss fraud in the South African mortgage lending industry, which was co-hosted by Korbitec Property Division and GlenRand MIB. Read more >>

Call for 2010 supplychainforesight participation

The 2010 edition of supplychainforesight, South Africa's established supply chain research study, is currently seeking responses from supply chain experts all over southern Africa. This independent study has been initiated and sponsored by Barloworld Logistics since 2003, and is now conducted by international research specialists Frost & Sullivan. Read more >>

Local sourcing lowers Shoprite costs in Africa

Managing significant risk in African markets has been key to Shoprite's success on the continent. Read more >>

Technology groups holding their ground

[Larry Claasen] Technology companies in the computer outsource field have proved to be relatively resilient in economic downswings. Read more >>

Logitech's new level of gaming keyboard

Logitech is launching its latest gaming keyboard, the G110, which is said to enable users to personalise their setup, communicate more effectively, and execute complex commands easily. Read more >>

Broadband brawn on display

The public, keen to know what the true power of broadband can mean to their lives can visit a week-long public exhibition, the SEACOM Broadband Experience Expo, at the Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg and see what SEACOM, Cisco Systems, Dimension Data, Microsoft and Neotel can offer. The show opened yesterday, 14 October 2009 and runs until 18 October. Read more >>

Parmalat cheeses claim two international gold medals - Parmalat SA

Parmalat excelled in the 2009 World Cheese Awards by securing two gold medals as well as two bronze medals in three different classes. Read more >>

Tiger Wheel & Tyre is South Africa's top tyre retailer - Tiger Wheel & Tyre

Tiger Wheel & Tyre was named the leading tyre retailer in the Times and Sowetan 2009 Retail Awards. The winners were announced at a gala awards ceremony held at the Northgate ice rink on Thursday 08 October. Read more >>