 28 Feb 2011 |
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Glitz, glamour and war
Otherwise, there's lots to moan about this week - the national Budget has been announced and we're having to pay more for life's little vices, not to mention the petrol price will be teetering on the edge of R9 to the litre come Wednesday, courtesy of the political upheaval in the Middle East and North Africa... But as my colleague Sindy Peters lamented today, while watching the fairytale glamour of Oscar-related tweets fall between the raw comments over civil war and unrest, "in an ideal world, we'd all have been watching the Oscars." So as we complain about the rising costs of living, take a moment to be thankful you have a car to fill up and somewhere to drive home to. Shan Radcliffe, Retail editor Please send retail news to: retailnews@bizcommunity.com Responses to this column welcomed in our new online editor's column archive. Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Salvatore Vuono Top stories
RetailSA motorists' hit by high intl crude oil pricesMotorists, who are already facing a number of increases in daily expenses, will have to dig deep as the petrol price is set to increase by 41 cents across all grades. Read more >>SAB to keep price increases at 4.5%There is good news for those who like a tipple - brewing company SAB has decided to keep its own average price increase in line with inflation at 4.5%, despite the government's announcement of a 7.5% increase in excise on beer being higher than the projected inflation rate for 2011. Read more >>What is a brand and how do you go about building a better one? [Issa Sikiti da Silva] A brand is more than a logo, more than a name, more than an identity and more than a product, author, business and marketing innovator Donna Rachelson said this week in Johannesburg. Rachelson, who was speaking at Meetings Africa 2011 in Sandton, said a brand is the accumulation of perceptions residing in the minds of the market. Read more >>Make-up artist competition extended The competition to become the SA Max Factor Make-up Artist and Max Factor brand ambassador for 2011 has extended the entry deadline to 22 March 2011. The competition, in partnership with Elle, is open to make-up artists who have completed their training and have less than seven years' experience in the industry. Read more >>Banking & FinanceEasyPlan branches will expand in 2011Following the success of its EasyPlan low-cost banking model, FNB will extend the plan by opening 100 branches by the end of June and another 50 by year end. It is a paperless and low-cost banking model developed to meet the needs of the mainstream consumers who earn below R100 000 a year. Read more >>Instant accounting for RMB clientsRMB Private Bank has reported that it is one of the first private banks in South Africa to launch the new integrated bookkeeping system, Instant Accounting, for individuals and businesses and believes that the new offering advances its efforts to provide innovative solutions to its clients. Read more >>Brand newsPC supplier expects good growth in South AfricaLenovo South Africa's plans for 2011 are focused on continuous improvement, following the latest IDC report shows that, in the last quarter of 2010, it grew its market share in South Africa to 11.3%, taking number 1 spot, at 17.9%, in the consumer segment. As a global PC and notebook manufacturer, it has plans to aggressively grow that market share still further in 2011. Read more >>Kimberly-Clark changes strategyKimberly-Clark South Africa (K-CSA) has devised a five-year expansion strategy to stretch its brands, expand its territory and pursue possible acquisitions. Read more >>Clothing & TextilesClothing industry seeks to solve 'phase-in compliance policy'A new industry body, United Clothing and Textiles Association (UCTA), an umbrella body currently representing more than 300 compliant clothing companies that employ over 28 000 workers has been formed to engage with the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union, the Clothing Bargaining Council and government. Read more >>Corporate Social InvestmentExhibitions & EventsChina arrives, ready for businessIMEXPO, the first SADC/China trade fair and conference, supported by the dti and the SADC Secretariat, has confirmed that 13 of the 15 Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries are participating and a trade delegation of over 60 companies from China will attend. Read more >>The kids are alright #designindaba #daytwo [Herman Manson: @marklives] The group of graduate design students assembled by the 2011 Design Indaba conference, currently being held at the Cape Town International Conference Centre, for its Pecha Kucha presentations yesterday, Thursday, 24 February 2011, make up a remarkable collection of young design talent that represents a broad range of design interests. [view twitterfall] Read more >>#DesignIndaba: contradictions in architecture [Herman Manson: @marklives] As riots and revolution rocks the Arab world, the rulers of Abu Dhabi are building yet another offshore island villa complex for the super-rich. Designer Dror Benshetrit, speaking on day one of the annual Design Indaba conference, currently underway at CTICC in Cape Town, admits he spent several minutes laughing loudly over the phone during the call in which he was told he'd won the design contract that he'd designed in only five weeks. [view twitterfall] Read more >>FMCGGreen sustainabilityGreening business events [Gwen Watkins] At Meetings Africa, which wraps up today, 23 February 2011, at the Sandton Convention Centre, the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) presented 'Green - the only colour for business tourism' workshop, as part of its educational sessions the exhibition. This covered the need for the events industry to embrace sustainable practices, an excellent case study of the building of Business Events Australia, the lessons learned from the greening of the Nedbank Golf Challenge and the introduction of the Event Greening Forum in South Africa. Read more >>New locomotives save fuel, lower emissions Two fully built, AC diesel-electric model C30ACi locomotives from GE have arrived in South Africa on Monday 21 February 2011, the first part of the 100 units agreed to in the December 2009 contract between GE and the Transnet subsidiary, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR). The trackside ceremony, outside Pretoria, was attended by Lorenzo Simonelli, president and CEO of GE Transportation and Mafika Mkwanazi, chairman of Transnet. Read more >>Health & SafetyHospitalityFree responsible tourism conference before IndabaOn 6 May 2011, the day before Indaba 2011 opens, a free responsible tourism (RT) conference will run at the Durban ICC aimed at local government and operators and focusing on the needs and challenges faced by cities to become sustainable destinations and to implement RT. Read more >>Import/ExportIvorian leader extends ban on cocoa exportsABIDJAN, CÔTE D'IVOIRE: Alassane Ouattara, internationally recognised as the winner of Ivory Coast's disputed presidential election, on Tuesday, 22 February 2011, extended a ban on cocoa exports, a cornerstone of the economy, to 15 March. Read more >>LogisticsBarloworld Logistics extends its brand Barloworld Logistics has announced that, Flynt International Forwarders and its group of companies, acquired in 2008, have been merged and consolidated under the Barloworld Logistics brand in Hong Kong and China. The operation in Hong Kong will be known as Barloworld Logistics (Hong Kong) and Shanghai operation will be Barloworld Logistics (Shanghai), with Guangzhou as a branch of it. Read more >>ManufacturingNew steel plant will provide thousands of jobsSAIL (Steel Authority of India Ltd), India's largest steel producer, has signed a MOU with Afripalm Horizons, a subsidiary of Afripalm Resources to set up a 3-5 million tons per annum steel manufacturing plant in South Africa. It is estimated that the plant will require an investment of close to R21 billion and will create 3-4000 new jobs in South Africa. Read more >>RegulatoryFeeling a little confused over the CPA?NEWSWATCH: The Consumer Protection Act is one of those pieces of legislation that many people hope will make life a little easier for consumers, and offer them more protection against some business practices that presently have many consumers less than happy. But there is some confusion, apparently... Read more >>Sin taxes up again, alcohol review on the way[Angus Macmillan] Regular drinkers and even those who enjoy the occasional tipple can raise a glass to celebrate the fact that Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has retained the same formula for increasing excises on their favourite alcoholic beverages. Read more >>Retail marketingRetailersMark Sardi appointed as Truworths CFORetailer Truworths on Monday, 21 February 2011, announced that Mark Sardi had been appointed as the group's chief financial officer, as well as an executive director. Read more >>SecuritySupply chainResearch out on SA's competitiveness in supply chain managementThe key question asked by the 2011 edition of South Africa's most authoritative and established supply chain research study, supplychainforesight, which launched last week with presentations in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg, is 'does our trade infrastructure and national supply chain enable us to compete with other emerging economies around the world?' Read more >>TechnologyRetailers would benefit from converged networks in mallsThe architectural and engineering world are increasingly specifying converged networks for new developments, sometimes referred to under the umbrella of Connected (Commercial) Real Estate (C(C)RE). As knowledge and experience in utilising facilities in these intelligent buildings grows, so too does confidence, leading to adoption of technological advances in previously untapped market sectors. Read more >>TrainingPatrick Grubb bursary beneficiaries return from France Andrew Williams of Steenberg, Nico Fischer of Simonsig and M'Daan Pieterse of Overgaauw, the recipients of the 2009 Patrick Grubb Bursary, spent three weeks working in Bordeaux, mostly in the cellars, but also learning about the harvesting and caring of vineyards, where they discovered just how artfully the French are able to blend history with the latest technology. Read more >>
Green fraud - crime's new frontier LONDON, UK: A new frontier for fraud and market abuse has opened up as the scale of sustainable business activity and 'green' projects grows while the controls and systems that protect them remain relatively weak, says a PwC report. Read more >>3D won't prevent Britons spending less on electricals [Published by Verdict] LONDON, UK: By the end of 2011 sales of electrical goods will have fallen by £2.2 billion (About R25 billion) compared to 2007 as the golden age of new products comes to an end and new technology like 3D struggles to have an impact on the market, finds Verdict, one of the Datamonitor group of companies. Read more >>DMA releases Digital Marketing in the US and Canada report NEW YORK, US/MONTREAL, CANADA: The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) of the United States has announced the release of its new Digital Marketing in the US and Canada report, which compares trends in usage, familiarity, and sentiments regarding digital marketing channels in the US and Canada. Read more >>Blu-ray sales up in Western Europe and Japan NEW YORK, US: media control GfK International, a leader in international media and entertainment tracking servicing the global entertainment industry, has announced the release of its 2010 Year End Home Video Retail Sales Report. Read more >>Mobile operators should fear the threat from Facebook [Published by Ovum] LONDON, UK: Facebook is shaping up to be a strong competitor to mobile operators that are in danger of underestimating the threat it poses, according to Ovum, one of the Datamonitor group of companies. Read more >>comScore releases The 2010 Europe Digital Year in Review LONDON, UK: comScore, Inc, a leader in measuring the digital world, has released The comScore 2010 Europe Digital Year in Review. This inaugural report provides a comprehensive overview of key trends in the European digital media landscape, including market-level data on user demographics, social networking, online video, mobile, and search in 18 European countries. Read more >>Cannes Lions introduces Holding Company of the Year Award LONDON, UK: The organisers of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity have announced a new award, Holding Company of the Year, which will be presented for the first time at the 2011 Festival. Read more >>Germany: Consumer climate still on the ascent NUREMBERG, GERMANY: Consumer sentiment in Germany has remained on the ascent in February. Income expectations have increased noticeably, whereas economic expectations and the propensity to buy have recorded slight decreases, but remain at a high level. The overall indicator is forecasting a value of 6.0 points for March, following a revised value of 5.8 points in February. Read more >>Guldfinger, you're the one... STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN: Working on the premise that beer marketing has been lacking in the innovation department for some time, a Swedish beer brand has taken pub games into the digital age. Read more >>More International news...
Corporate Social InvestmentBeauty with a smile - Elizabeth Arden To transform the faces of southern Africa's children with the greatest gift of all - the ability to smile - was the inspiration for Elizabeth Arden to partner with Operation Smile South Africa (OSSA). Read more >>FranchisingHankook Tyres awarded 'Tyre Manufacturer of the Year' - Tiger Wheel & Tyre Hankook tyre brand has been awarded "Tyre Manufacturer of the Year" in the Tyre Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence 2011. Read more >>Retail marketingFree Easter eggs from TollReach. It's time for an 'Easter Eggtivation'! - TollReach Submit your enquiry now and receive a free box of yummy Easter eggs*. Read more >>Retail servicesYour personal pest control expert available on Women24 - RentokilDIY pest control is not advisable around pets, small children or the elderly and if you have any doubts it is always advisable to ask the advice of an expert in the field. For this reason Deena Govender - expert in the pest control industry and Quality Assurance Manager at Rentokil South Africa - has joined the expert panel on Women24. Read more >>
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Cheers and welcome back Ballade [Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] Think dropped suspension, loud exhaust, dark windows, flashy (and often cheap) wide rims, drivers wearing back-to-front caps and virtually lying down behind the steering wheel as they cruise past to the tune of very loud, boom-boom music and what make and model car immediately springs to mind? Why, the old Honda Ballade, of course! Read more >>Captiva-ting, cavernous Chevrolet [Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] SUV's are almost as prolific on South African roads as low-flying, overloaded Toyota mini-bus taxis and locals are spoilt for choice when it comes to makes, hauling abilities, safety and comfort features, warranties, service plans and price tags - most of which you will find attractively packaged in the Chevrolet Captiva. Read more >>More Motoring news...
Hilton Sandton completes first floor renovation JOHANNESBURG, SA: Hilton Sandton has announced the completion of a two-month renovation to the four suites and 53 rooms on the first floor. The first floor refurbishment is part of an upgrade programme at the hotel with floors two and three completed in 2010. Read more >>Sun International appoints Tourism Point LLC as ME marketing partner DUBAI, UAE: One of Africa's most significant tourism and leisure groups, Sun International, has appointed Dubai-based Tourism Point LLC to manage its marketing and public relations communications in the Middle East region. Read more >>Maputo gem [Luanne Toms] Traditionally host to colonial-era sybarites, Maputo's revitalised Polana Hotel is a tranquil retreat in the heart of this gritty city. Read more >>German holidaymakers avoid Egypt and Tunisia NUREMBERG, GERMANY: The political unrest in North Africa has had far-reaching consequences for the tourism industry. According to GfK Retail and Technology, the majority of German holidaymakers have postponed any planned trips to Egypt and Tunisia and demand for the summer months also noticeably declined in the first few weeks of the year. Read more >>More Travel news...
Innovation and creativity at the Design Indaba Expo [Jordan Scott] Imagine every creative thing you've ever seen or thought of and put it all into one very big room. Bam - you have this year's Design Indaba Expo. Not only is it all so very innovative, but also the majority of the artists have begun to "go green" and are trying to create art whilst still helping the environment. Read more >>The Script to debut live in SA Irish band The Script will be performing in South Africa for the first time when they play at the Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg, on 24 June and Grand Arena, GrandWest, Cape Town, on 26 June, 2011. Read more >>aKING album launch: Blood but no Glitter [Natalie Jardine] aKING launched their third studio album, The Red Blooded Years, on Tuesday, 23 February, at the Fugard Theatre and we were right in the front row, staring up at the array of lanterns on stage, awaiting the darlings of Bellville. Read more >>Final artists announced for Cape Town International Jazz Festival The final list of artists for the 2011 Cape Town International Jazz Festival has been announced for the event that takes place on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 March, 2011, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Read more >>Roland Albertson is all about the music [Ruth Cooper] Singer-songwriter Roland Albertson recently won the Best Male Artist at the 7th annual International Acoustic Music Awards (IAMA). A very commendable achievement as he came out tops from among 10 000 entries and was the first South African to win an award at the IAMAs ever. This award seems to be the start of great things for Roland, who's currently recording an EP, putting a band together and working on some sexy little future projects. We chatted to him via email to find out more. Read more >>More BizLounge news...
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Show your heart at the Cavendish Square book sale Cavendish Square in conjunction with Well read books will be hosting a second-hand book sale from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 February of which proceeds will go the NGO, Wola Nani.
"Every company has a rocky beginning." - Sam Altman "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." - Native American Proverb "Hard work without talent is a shame, but talent without hard work is a tragedy." - Robert Half "When you know what you want, you will recognize it when you see it." - Bill Cosby "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." - William Arthur Ward Print - Print any item in this newsletter.
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