 11 Apr 2011 |
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Awards, acquisitions and loopholes
Local auction site bidorbuy announced this morning that it's made a purchase of its own - UbuntuDeal.co.za. This gives the company a firm foot in the social buying door, which complements its own 'product deal' offering. SAB was let off the hook by the Competition Tribunal last week, when it dismissed the Competition Commission's case against the big brewer, stating that it had no jurisdiction to hear the referral. This legal loophole has opened a new can of worms for the Commission - how many other referrals could be argued on the same grounds? 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: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Top stories
RetailSA shopping centres receive international recognition The 2011 International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC) European Solal Marketing Awards winners were announced in Istanbul late last week and South African malls, in for the second year, achieved top prizes. All winners automatically qualify for entry into the internationally-acknowledged ICSC VIVA "Best of the Best" Awards, which recognise excellence in global shopping centre marketing. Read more >>Guarding our retail space [Dave Nemeth] It is now crucial that SA retailers start working on new and exciting ways of range building and development because, according to a top trend forecasting agency based in the UK, a host of top international retailers are about set foot on our shores. Read more >>Diamond Foods scoops up Pringles in $2.35bn dealNEW YORK, USA: California snacks group Diamond Foods snapped up the popular Pringles brand in a US$2.35 billion deal Tuesday, 5 April 2011, its second big foray into the chips market in as many years. Read more >>AssociationsSouth Africa scores at Monde Selection More than 20 countries entered into the annual Monde Selection International Wine Competition 2011, with medals bestowed on less than 30% of wines. South Africa received 15 medals, with Boschendal 1685 Shiraz 2009 winning grand gold as well as two further gold medals and a silver. The shiraz retails at R68 from cellar door. Read more >>Advertisement:
 Banking & FinanceBrand newsHisense relaunched brand in SAGuests at the product launch of Hisense South Africa were addressed by executive vice-president of the Hisense Group Dr Lin and the Consul General of the People's Republic of China Li Jiang Ning, where the brand and its products were unveiled. Read more >>Commercial propertyRetail property, tech in SAPOA Convention spotlight Under the theme 'Innovation, Recovery, Opportunities', the 43rd annual SAPOA International Convention and Property Exhibition will highlight new opportunities in the retail property sector, and the role of technology in propelling those opportunities forward globally. Taking place at the CTICC from 11-13 May 2011 and sponsored by Nedbank Corporate Property Finance, the event will be led by a group of international and local experts, carefully chosen for their knowledge and expertise. Read more >>Corporate Social InvestmentCRMe-CommerceUbuntuDeal goes to bidorbuy bidorbuy.co.za, South African online marketplace and auction site, has acquired Cape Town-based social buying site UbuntuDeal.co.za. This is the latest addition to the bidorbuy group of sites, which include Jobs.co.za, Jump.co.za, TheClassifieds.co.za, PayFast.co.za and Snaply.com. Read more >>Growth of group buying[Luke Jedeikin] Like the early days of any new industry, a shakeout is happening in group buying, an industry that has seen a number of ambitious entrepreneurs and even established media brands launching websites offering daily deals that are only triggered once a minimum number of people express an interest to purchase them. Read more >>Exhibitions & EventsForum addresses social enterprise and innovation for sustainable developmentThe fourth Social Enterprise World Forum, which took place at the University of Johannesburg from 4-7 April 2011, saw Dr Mamphela Ramphele of Letsema Circle South Africa present a keynote address that focused on social enterprise and innovation for sustainable development. Read more >>Sunny wine route for JohannesburgSandton Sun is bringing wine events to Johannesburg over the next few months, beginning with monthly food and wine pairings at the San restaurant from Thursday, 28 April 2011 with certified group sommelier, Miguel Chan. Tutored tastings of six wines will be paired with an exclusive 4-course menu prepared by executive chef Garth Shnier and his team. Read more >>Recognising farm workers in Franschhoek The winner of the 2nd annual Franschhoek Farm Worker of the Year, Frans Malies from La Petite Ferme, proudly walked away with the trophy at the Franschhoek Oesfees on 26 March 2011 from among the eleven finalists. Read more >>FMCGFranchisingGreen sustainabilityHospitalityImport/ExportSARS detains shipping containersOver 50 shipping containers have been detained at the China Shopping Centre south of Johannesburg following a crackdown by South African Revenue Service (SARS) officials. Read more >>LogisticsManufacturingMerchandisingClover to merchandise all Danone productsWith effect from 1 May 2011, Danone Southern Africa will outsource all its merchandising to Clover. All current Danone merchandisers will be transferred to Clover, under the same employment terms and conditions and Clover will complete all merchandising tasks on behalf of Danone. Read more >>PackagingNew carton design for milkWhat Tetra Pak describes as the world's first aseptic carton bottle will arrive on retail shelves on 16 May 2011 in Lund, Sweden. It is considered a packaging innovation for producers, retailers, and consumers of ambient white milk. [video] Read more >>Second round finalists for Pyro Inspiration Awards The second round of finalists for the 2011 Pyro Inspiration Awards, which recognise and award innovative on-pack devices as a standalone media category, have been announced in Johannesburg. The finalists of the bi-monthly awards go to the final round, judged by a panel of judges at a gala event at the end of the year. Read more >>RegulatorySAB case closed but not resolved[Michael Bleby] The Competition Commission's prosecution of South African Breweries (SAB) is over and is unlikely to reappear. Read more >>NCR compliance report, guidelines out now The National Credit Regulator (NCR) has published the Compliance Report under Guideline 02 of 2010 and Guidelines for an Assurance Engagement Report for non-audited credit providers under Guideline 03 of 2010. Read more >>Meeting CPA standards with voucher coupons[Chris Rolfe] Within the voucher coupon industry, the new Consumer Protection Act (CPA) means that retailers, brands and agencies need to ensure an intimate understanding of their consumers' communication preferences and respect for how they market to these potential customers. Read more >>Retail marketingRetailersMetcash announces closures, mergersOn Saturday 9 April 2011, Metcash Trading Africa will close 56 of its stores across South Africa, including Metro Cash & Carry and Trade Centres. Following the sale of its franchise division to the Shoprite Group in March 2011, its retail stores, which include Friendly, Seven Eleven and Price Club Discount Supermarket, will be assimilated into the OK Franchise division of the Shoprite group; subject to approval by the Competitions Board. Read more >>SecuritySMS fraud warningadidas South Africa has issued a warning against a SMS, purporting to be from the organisation, stating that winners have won cash prizes. The company's lawyers have notified the police about this scam and an investigation is under way. Recipents are asked to inform the police of any messages received. Read more >>Supply chainAfrica's agriculture has potential but lacks resources [Issa Sikiti da Silva] Many African countries boast vast scopes of arable land, but due to lack of financial resources, farming expertise and modern equipment, coupled with, among others, poor infrastructure, stagnant economy, red tape, unstable political environment, lack of sound investment policies, trade restrictions and state corruption, that land remains mostly unused, paving the way to a chronic problem of food security and riots. Read more >>TechnologyTraining
Surge in mobile data revenue makes case for managed service model CALABASAS, US: According to projections from Informa Telecoms & Media (www.informatm.com), mobile telecom revenues will reach US$1.1 trillion* by 2015 with 40% of this figure (US$440 billion) coming from data services. The pressure on carriers to maximise returns from data revenues is therefore becoming intense. Read more >>comScore launches online video measurement service in Turkey ANKARA, TURKEY: comScore, Inc has launched Video Metrix in Turkey. This online video measurement service, which was the first to market in the US more than four years ago, has been developed to enable the company's clients to succeed in the online video marketplace. Read more >>Global advertising rebounded 10.6% in 2010 LONDON, UK: The global advertising industry climbed out of recession last year and posted a 10.6% year-on-year increase to US$503 billion* based on published rate cards from the Global AdView Pulse, a new report released by The Nielsen Company. Read more >>Princess Diana's dresses to be auctionedThe blue silk velvet dress Princess Diana wore at a 1985 White House dinner and famously danced in with actor John Travolta will be offered for sale along with other gowns, a Canadian auction house said. Read more >>Big opportunities for big clothes LONDON, UK: A quarter of all ladies' clothes sold in the UK in 2011 will be plus size*, as women are getting larger, finds Verdict, one of the Datamonitor group of companies. Read more >>Growth of mass affluent population to return across all markets LONDON, UK: Datamonitor predicts that the number of mass affluent consumers (those with more than US$50 000* in onshore liquid assets) will return to growth in established markets** after declining during the recession. The client base will continue to rise in emerging markets, with particularly strong growth for countries such as Singapore. Read more >>Dramatic growth in the optical components market in 2010 LONDON, UK: The global optical components (OC) market grew by 35% in 2010 to hit revenues of US$5.6 billion*, the highest in ten years, according to new research from Ovum, one of the Datamonitor group of companies. Read more >>More International news...
Brand newsBest Retail Brands report shows signs of recovery for the retail industry - Interbrand SampsonInterbrand, authors of the annual Best Global Brands ranking of the top 100 world's most valuable brands, have turned their attention to the global retail sector. The Best Retail Brands report ranks the top 50 US retail brands by brand value, as well as the top retail brands from Asia Pacific, Canada, the UK, France, Germany and Spain. Read more >>FMCGElizabeth Arden's sizzling summer campaign achieves results - Elizabeth Arden An interactive, educational sun screen awareness campaign, run by Elizabeth Arden, was a big success with sales increasing by 14% and 15 000 new subscribers sourced. Read more >>Canderel Yellow great taste, more choice now with Sucralose - Fore Good Investments The Fore Good Group has launched Canderel Yellow, a low calorie alternative to sugar made with Sucralose. Read more >>
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Polo GTI does everything right [Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] Some might call it impressive, others will say it is excellent, fast, dynamic, and exciting but I think the best way to describe Volkswagen's new Polo GTI is by simply saying it is a super-sexy little sizzler. Read more >>Golf R is new hot hatch king [Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] The king is not dead and long may he live - but sadly he can no longer wear his hot hatch crown because another member of the Volkswagen-family has just claimed it. Read more >>More Motoring news...
The Stanley & Livingstone: A thundering good experience! [Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] It's no fun being laughed at by other Africans. "We can tell who the South Africans are because they're too scared to leave their bags in the bus," the Shearwater Victoria Falls sales agent guffaws on board the airport transfer from Livingstone across the Zimbabwean border. Read more >>Authentic Athens [National Geographic Traveller] As one of the world's oldest cities and the birthplace of democracy, Athens has a lot to live up to and living it up is something this city is famous for. National Geographic Traveller's Nicola Jackson finds that despite the Greek capital's debt problems and infamous radical protests, its most expensive bars, restaurants and shopping districts are still abuzz with Athenians drinking in life - and who can blame them? They invented the right to choose and they choose to burn the candle at both ends. Read more >>More Travel news...
RAKA'Rollin at Kam'Bati [Ilse van den Berg] Good music, good people, good vibes and hands down the chillest acoustic music festival in the country. RAKA (Rivier @ Kam'Bati Akoestiek) certainly won a number one spot in my diary for next year. Read more >>5...4...3...2... 1... Action! [Jordan Scott] Welcome to Theatre Sports, an improvised show that is performed by actors that are originality personified. Theatre Sports has been running for 18 years this year and is ever evolving. Remember that every time you watch Theatre Sports, due to its improvised and unscripted nature, it'll be the first and last time that you'll see it. This in itself is a perfect reason to not only see it once, but twice...and then a third time of course. Read more >>Rambling Bones, not your average Timberlake production [Sindy Peters: Africa editor] Newbies in the music industry could learn a lot from Joburg's Rambling Bones. I wouldn't say they're veterans in the industry, but they are very clued up on the zeitgeist of the music industry. We met Jay Bones, front man vocalist; Eric Wright, bassist; and drummer Leighton "Baron Von Danger" Powell, of this alternate folk rock band who have released their third album, "Ramblin' Bones and His Bloody Agents". Read more >>Ramblin Bones and His Bloody Agents [Ruth Cooper] What is it about good acoustic tracks? They just seem to sound all that more honest and fresh. Ramblin Bones and His Bloody Agents self titled latest album offering is raw and real, interesting and funny, sweet and growly. It's an album that should take prime position in your collection and iTunes. Read more >>More BizLounge news...
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