Retail South Africa weekly newsletter - 23 May 2011

Yellow Pages vs. online

Over the weekend, I received the latest editions of the phone book and Yellow Pages... And I was shocked to see the Yellow Pages looking skinnier than a runway model at Milan fashion week. Digging out my old copy, I noted that it had lost a total of 304 pages - almost 22.5% of it's bulk. What has happened to this old faithful of directories? Is this a marker for the number of companies that couldn't withstand the recession? Are businesses no longer buying large custom ads in the book? Or is this just another way that online is cutting in to print's margins? Vote in our polls: Where do you search? / Where is your business listed?

We here at Bizcommunity.com have something new for you too with the launch of our new look and additional features. We'd love to hear what you think of it, so please send us your feedback!

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: Nutdanai Apikhomboonwaroot / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Massmart/Raizcorp partnership to develop SMEs

As part of Massmart's strategy to source more goods locally, the company has announced a new initiative to strengthen its local supplier base through a partnership with Raizcorp, one of Africa's leading private sector, small business incubator companies. Read more >>

Decanter, International Wine Challenge reward South African winemaking

At the International Wine Fair, held in London recently, South African wines excelled at both the 2011 International Wine Challenge with 13 golds and the 2011 Decanter World Wine Awards with 26 golds. Read more >>

Nikki Cockcroft leaves Primedia Online for Woolies [EXCLUSIVE]

[Herman Manson: @marklives] Nikki Cockcroft, long-serving CEO of Primedia Online, where she oversaw leading South African portal iafrica.com, digital agency Prezence and trafficking solutions provider 365 Digital, has announced her resignation, effective 30 June 2011. She joins retail giant Woolworths as head of online and will take up her new position at the beginning of July. Read more >>

No conditions necessary on Wal-Mart deal

In closing arguments before the Competition Tribunal Monday, 16 May 2011, merging parties Massmart and Wal-Mart maintained that no conditions were necessary but to demonstrate goodwill, they made commitments to the various stakeholders. Read more >>

Mobile banking increases

The 2011 World Wide Worx Research, which probed the use of mobile phones for banking purposes, showed that 18% of South Africans are now using their phones to transfer cash to family and friends. Read more >>

Lactalis launches takeover bid for Parmalat

MILAN, ITALY: French dairy giant Lactalis launched its takeover bid for Parmalat on Monday, 23 May 2011, despite opposition from the Italian company's board to the €3.4-billion (US$4.8-billion) offer. Read more >>

Design contest sees two winners off to Dubai

For the first time a draw for the winning place has been announced by the annual South African LG Conceptualife Kitchen Design Competition for 2011. The two winners are Tarquin van der Westerhuizen from the BHC Design School in Cape Town and Karyn Schott representing the Greenside Design School in Johannesburg. Both won a SolarDom oven and a trip to Dubai to compete in the regional finals on 30 May. Read more >>

eMalahleni Fashion Week back

Building on the success of the inaugural event in 2010, the Ridge Casino and Entertainment Resort is bringing back eMalahleni Fashion Week again on 26-28 May 2011. The show promises to be bigger, better and more fashionable, with designers, dancers, musicians and entertainers. Read more >>

Distell buys into UK distributor

Distell has acquired a significant stake in BrandPhoenix Ltd, the UK-based wine distributor and owner of FirstCape, the top-selling South African wine brand that currently holds third position in the UK retail market. The deal, for an undisclosed sum will allow Distell to work in partnership to grow its wine business within Britain's major multiple retailers. Read more >>

Nederburg auction, new look, more wines

At this year's annual Nederburg Auction on 16-17 September 2011, more than 160 of South Africa's finest wines representing the majority of South Africa's 18 official wine routes, will be sold by Anthony Barne MW, the London-based auctioneer from Bonhams. Read more >>

Famous Brands extends 'Theatre of Foods' portfolio

Quick-service restaurant franchise group Famous Brands announced on Thursday, 19 May 2011, that it had introduced a new strategic direction for the group's House of Coffees and Juicy Lucy brands, with the extension of its "Theatre of Foods" portfolio and the creation of a new business called Creative Coffees Company. Read more >>

Cape Legends brings wine to China

Cape Legends is now represented by Guangzhou South Africa Valley, which has entered into a long-term agreement to sell wines into China. It expects sales volumes to increase "substantially", as a result, according to the business manager for the portfolio of specialty wines, Isobel Armstrong. Read more >>

Asian opportunities for wine sales

US-born wine specialist, Debra Meiburg, a Master of Wine, international wine judge and consultant to producers trading in Asian markets, addressed a group of local wine producers at a WOSA-hosted seminar in Stellenbosch late last week about how to approach markets across the pan-Asian region. Read more >>

Debt financing gets sugar mill going in Swaziland

Ubombo Sugar, 60% owned by Illovo and 40% owned by the Tibiyo Taka Ngwane Trust on behalf of the Swazi nation, will fully commission its major factory expansion and co-generation project in May 2011, due to a successful 940 million Euros medium term funding in Swaziland by Illovo. Read more >>

Verifying barcode quality crucial for retail

Labelpak director, Mark Sherriff, points out that in-house barcode verification is important in today's consumer-focused economy, as companies that are not in compliance with increasingly-stringent labelling regulations can face a fine of up to R100 per product that contains an unreadable barcode. Read more >>

Official launch of world's first aseptic carton bottle for milk

Described as the world's first aseptic carton bottle for milk, Tetra Pak, launched the Tetra Evero Aseptic one litre container, on Monday 16 May 2011. The container for white milk combines the easy handling and pouring of a bottle with the environmental and cost advantages of a carton and employs market-driven insight and breakthrough engineering techniques. Read more >>

Bizcommunity.com relaunches: what's new for you

After months of behind-the-scenes activity, we're thrilled to unveil a revamped, Bizcommunity 2011, featuring a host of new features and an expanded set of self-promotional tools. What hasn't changed, however, is our commitment to quality news, carefully edited, curated and aggregated daily by the biz editorial teams from specialist journalists, our communities of industry leaders, other news sources and press releases you submit. Read more >>

Free design space offered

Providing a free R&D and production facility, the Cape Craft and Design Institute's (CCDI) Product Support Space (PSS) has extended its former FabLab to provide a an enhanced venue for exploring creative ideas and developing new products. The assisted DIY computer-aided design and manufacturing environment now has more research and design computers, plus a wide range of new machines. Read more >>

The Olympics and its impact on UK retail

LONDON, UK: A new report* from the independent retail analyst Verdict, one of the Datamonitor group of companies, expects retail sales to be boosted by around £100 million** during the third quarter of 2012. Read more >>

Mobile payments: Trust and familiarity are crucial in driving adoption

NUREMBERG, GERMANY: Trust and familiarity are the key drivers in consumer preference for mobile payment services, according to a new study. The survey by GfK NOP, a global market research agency, covered nine countries (US, UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, South Korea, Brazil and China) and included 8603 online interviews, with each country's sample designed to represent their online population. Read more >>

Grazia Shopping Awards 2011 winners announced

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Mimco, Chanel and Myer have scooped the pool at the inaugural Grazia Shopping Awards 2011 announced in Grazia magazine earlier this week. Read more >>

New diamond in Accord range

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] Grizzly old diamond diggers firmly believed that in every ton of stone and sand there is a shining diamond waiting to be found - and this sure is the case with the revamped Honda Accord range. Read more >>

Captiva brags with many new goodies

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] As is the trend with all car manufacturers, Chevrolet has also sent its popular Captiva seven-seater to a beautician, cosmetic surgeon and engine-builder to give it a rejuvenating midlife make-over - and between them they did such a good job that the vehicle can almost be called brand new. Read more >>

Mount Nellie gets a facelift

[Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] Many will remember the Mount Nelson Hotel prior to 1988 before Orient -Express Hotels purchased the property. Then she was a charming, rather grand, albeit slightly crumbly pink old lady in a celebratory hue which she has worn since the end of the First World War. She was a powdery, lavender-smelling grandmamma. Read more >>

One week in rugby!

[Corné Krige] As a former rugby player I know that one week in rugby is a very long time. You are only as good as your last game and you can go from hero one Saturday to Zero the next Saturday. After the Stormers loss to the Chiefs last week, many people started predicting that the wheels were coming off for the Stormers. Well, this weekend they stood up and showed that they are not only a talented side, but that they also possess a lot of character. Read more >>

Mark Palmer is iConfused

[Jordan Scott] The cleanest stand-up comedy that I have ever seen and, surprisingly, it was just as funny as any other. Personally, I feel that it is far more difficult to have a stand-up act that doesn't incorporate swearing, cringe-inducing or offensive topics, than one that does. The show is called iConfused and is based on the concept that although all this technology makes life simpler, it still doesn't answer all the important questions and, in the end, just leaves us all incredibly confused. Read more >>

UCT Choir brings goosebumps at GIPCA

[Jordan Scott] GIPCA is an acronym for the Gordon Institute for Performing and Creative Arts. It started back in December 2008 and is aimed at bringing together different departments of media and production and allows them to collaborate and work with one another and learn from each other. Read more >>

The Pretty Blue Guns want you to "Shed Your Skin"

[Ruth Cooper] The Pretty Blue Guns may be bright and shiny new in person and band, but their sound is classic sleazy bluesy rock, harking back to days from another generation. Heartfelt lyrics sung with soulful conviction, that bely their tender age, coupled with, in turns, rough and haunting guitar meld to create a winning combination. Read more >>

MacGyver Knife, legends in the making

[Kershin Padayachee] Like a pack of blazing Shoguns in the heat of battle, MacGyver Knife cut to the heart of the matter on their debut album "Sewing Legend". We at Biz found ourselves fortunate enough to be granted the first priviledge of dissecting the workings of this masterpiece. Read more >>

Fine brandy festival South African Brandy Foundation - Johannesburg, 25 May
Leadership, social media, people and performance Training Shop - Johannesburg, 25 May
Cape Town Press Club Annual General Meeting Cape Town Press Club - Cape Town, 25 May
IAS second master class - Gauteng, 26 May
Concert on the deck gingko - Johannesburg, 28 May
Bridal open day The Fairway Hotel & Golf Resort - Johannesburg, 28 May
Write successful fundraising proposals - Pretoria, 31 May
Adobe CS5 workshop/Loeries travelling exhibition The Loerie Awards - Countrywide, 31 May
Common errors in business writing Institute for the Advancement of Journalism (IAJ) - Johannesburg, 1 June
Success in high heels cocktail evening Xtraordinary Women - Cape Town, 2 June

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