Future of retail linked to technology‚ internet

[Zeenat Moorad] The future of retail around the world‚ including in SA‚ is inextricably connected to technology and the internet‚ Daniel Levine‚ executive director of New York-based trends consultancy The Avant-Guide Institute says. Read more >>

July real wholesale sales up 8.8% y/y

Wholesale trade sales at constant (2000) prices for July increased by 8.8% year on year (y/y) compared with a 3.7% y/y growth in May‚ Statistics SA data showed on Thursday, 20 September 2012. Read more >>

Retail sales signal slower consumer activity

Growth in SA's retail sales slowed more than expected in July‚ backing expectations for a slowdown in retail activity in the rest of the year as consumers come under pressure from higher service costs among other factors. Read more >>

CPI rises to 5% in August

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in August rose to 5% in line with market expectation, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on Wednesday, 19 September 2012. Read more >>

Annual Diners Club Winelist Awards announced

The annual Diners Club Winelist Awards were announced this week, with the Western Cape leading in the Diamond Award and other categories. Read more >>

Repo rate remains unchanged at 5%

The Monetary Policy Committee has kept the repo rate unchanged at 5% in line with market expectation, Reserve Bank Governor Gill Marcus said on Thursday, 20 September 2012. Read more >>

Repo rate reduction would have alleviated consumer pressures

Commenting on the SA Reserve Bank's decision not to change the repo rate, Dr Andrew Golding, CE of the Pam Golding Property Group, said that a further reduction would have not only served to help alleviate pressures on consumers who are feeling the effects of rising fuel, food, electricity and rates tariffs but would have provided a confidence boost. Read more >>

Tiger Brands acquires majority share in Nigeria flour mill

SA consumer goods group Tiger Brands (TBS) has acquired a 63.35% shareholding in Dangote Flour Mills Plc in Nigeria for approximately R1.5 billion. The transaction is expected to be effected during the first week of October. Read more >>

Beige Holdings to suspend JSE listing

[Roy Downing] Beige Holdings (BEG)‚ a contract manufacturer and distributor of cosmetics‚ soaps‚ household products‚ toiletries‚ laundry soaps and allied bath and body care products‚ announced on Wednesday that the listing of its preference shares will be suspended on the JSE with effect from the commencement of trade on Wednesday, 19 September 2012. Read more >>

Oceana and V&A Cold Store takeover approved

[Amanda Visser] Oceana's takeover and control of V&A Cold Store was finally approved on Thursday, 20 September 2012, by the Competition Tribunal with specific conditions to allow for third party fish customers retaining access to cold storage facilities. Read more >>

Winners of 2012 Retail Design & Development Awards announced

During the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) annual Congress being held in Durban, the Retail Design & Development Awards (RDDA) 2012 winners were announced yesterday, 19 September 2012. Top honours went to Middelburg Mall, Sandton City, Kagiso Mall, Tribeca Standard Restaurant at Lynnwood Bridge and Hackett London at Sandton City. Read more >>

South Africa's property sector at R4.9 trillion, research creates knowledge hub

The Property Sector Charter Council, having commissioned the first study of its kind in South Africa, has announced that the South African property sector is worth R4.9 trillion. Read more >>

Capital Property and Ascension agree on sale

[Roy Downing] Retail‚ corporate and industrial property unit trust Capital Property Fund (CPL) on Tuesday, 18 September 2012, announced it had agreed to sell a portfolio of property letting enterprises to Ascension Properties (AIA) for R989 million. Read more >>

Building brand relationships is like falling in love

[Estee Cockcroft] Much as people who fall in love cultivate their relationship over time, building trust, so too do brands and consumers need to develop loyalty and trust over time, if they are to have a relationship. Read more >>

Import costs restrict e-tailing

Despite the continued growth of online shopping in South Africa, the threshold of R500 for duty-free imports remains a significant obstacle to the country truly realising its e-commerce potential. Recent research has an industry consensus aiming at 40% growth in 2012 (the highest rate in almost a decade), indicating a significant opportunity for e-tailing to become a retail bridge between South Africa and the world. Read more >>

How to deal with difficult clients in a difficult industry

Vaalnest Boutique Hotel, a 4-star establishment situated in Vaal Marina, recently received a negative web review but far from being dismayed, the company set about constructively reviewing the criticisms and assessing what could be done to resolve such complaints. Read more >>

FNB/BER consumer confidence shows slight improvement

The third quarter of 2012 shows a slight improvement in the FNB/BER Consumer Conficence Index (CCI), moving from -3 in 2Q 2012 to -1. This means that confidence and lack thereof among consumers remains finely balanced (50/50), very much in line with a modestly performing economy. Read more >>

Baby shopping survey indicates slow online growth

In July 2012, kalahari.com researched the online shopping habits of 200 mothers. The survey results reveal that 70% of moms admit to splurging on baby necessities but that they have been slow to adopt the convenience of online shopping. Only 4% of the 200 respondents revealed that they shop online for baby items. Read more >>

What advertising do consumers really trust?

[Chris Moerdyk: @chrismoerdyk] It's not a bad idea once in a while to step back from what is becoming an increasingly complex world of marketing communications and refresh ourselves on just what sort of advertising consumers trust. Read more >>

High cash circulation growth adds to crime

Covering key matters at the 4th Annual AMC International Cash Handling & Security Forum 2012, Richard Phillips, MD of Cash Connect, focused on the pertinent topic of the importance of cash in the current South African economy. Read more >>

John Lewis: Never Knowingly Undersold

LONDON, UK: John Lewis continues its commitment to the 'Never Knowingly Undersold' brand message with a new advert. Read more >>

Grape Expectations - just 26% of Brits think boxed wine is inferior to bottled

LONDON, UK: Previously a no-go for the nation's wine buffs, latest research from Mintel finds that screw tops, boxes and pouches are being seen as increasingly credible options among Britain's wine users. Read more >>

From bricks to clicks: Which retailers are carving out space in the m-commerce market?

RESTON, US: comScore, Inc, a leader in measuring the digital world, today released a study on US smartphone shopping behavior based on data from its comScore Mobile Metrix 2.0 service. Read more >>

Anti-toll group concerned over court decision

The Opposition to Urban Tolling Association (OUTA) has expressed concern that the voices of Gauteng road users were not heard in the Constitutional Court yesterday. Read more >>

IMC welcomes Marikana negotiated settlement

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Marikana tragedy led by Minister in the Presidency, Collins Chabane, has welcomed the conclusion of the negotiated wage settlement between the Marikana miners and Lonmin mine management. Read more >>

Brand South Africa calls for calm

Brand South Africa has urged all South Africans, business leaders, trade union movements, political parties and civil society to heed government's call for calm and support the security cluster by abiding with the laws of the land. Read more >>

Tax incentives, exemptions to be discussed

Tax incentives, exemptions and efforts to harmonise tax policy will form part of discussions at a meeting of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) next week, said the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Read more >>

Gauteng looks to beat rising food prices

Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, says the province is on track to intensify its campaign of encouraging people to grow their own food in light of rising food prices, which have skyrocketed in recent months. Read more >>

Kid brother 370Z is no mama's boy

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] The Nissan 370Z is often referred to as the Nissan GT-R's baby brother, not because it is a little mommy's boy car but because it has a dark side just like its bigger brother, the tar-shredding Nissan GTR super sports car. Read more >>

All travel and tourism needs simplified in one easy reference guide

South Africa's most comprehensive travel guide for KwaZulu-Natal and Swaziland; THE BEST of KZN and Swaziland Travel Guide 2012/2013 has been launched by Brabys/Creative. Read more >>

Yes, you can have The Last Word

[Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] It is no longer true that our best hospitality deals are offered only to tour operators. The Last Word, a collection of exquisite boutique hotels, is aiming its current September and October special offers at locals. Read more >>

Book your place in the Sun

[Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] Snow-capped mountain peaks in winter or lush, rolling green lawns and azure skies in summer - it is true that the Drakensberg sounds like the location for one of those glossy Stuyvesant adverts which is one of the reasons for its enduring popularity. Read more >>

[10 Things I Love About...] Cruising

[Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] Contributing Travel Editor Brian Berkman had a chat to George Argyropolous, managing director of Cruises International, which is South Africa's largest cruise operator, and represents nine cruise lines including six-star Crystal and Seabourn cruise lines. Read more >>

Eat Out DStv Restaurant Awards nominees announced

The nominees for the 2012 Eat Out DStv Food Network Restaurant Awards have been announced, in the categories: Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, and Service Excellence Award. Read more >>

Bitteschön Bierfest!

[Justin Williams] What's better than sitting in a German beer hall and sipping authentic Bavarian ales to the sounds of a traditional oompah band? Well not much really, but this year's Cape Town Bierfest sparked our imaginations about what the experience could be like. Read more >>