Retail South Africa weekly newsletter - 24 Feb 2014

Stormy weather ahead

Retailers appear to be battening down the hatches for a bleak winter... Last week, Edcon announced it will start retrenching staff this May in order to lower operating costs, while Naspers said it intends to shut down several of its ecommerce sites. The MBD Consumer Financial Vulnerability Index reported that consumers were feeling very insecure about their cash flow last year.

On a brighter note, five SA retailers have made Deloitte's global Top 250 Retailers list, and the IMF has high hopes for SME success in sub-Saharan Africa. Also, we have a new wine auction to look forward to, with the maiden AfrAsia Bank Cape Wine Auction taking place in March.

Cheers!

Shan Radcliffe, Group Head - Retail (@Biz_Retail)
Image courtesy of prozac1 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

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Weekly top stories

Clover opens expanded production, distribution facility

Late last week, Clover officially opened its expanded production and distribution facility in Queensburgh, Durban, a R171 million investment. This forms part of the recently completed Project Cielo Blu, which was the primary capital expenditure programme following the company's listing on the JSE and successful capital raise of R500 million in December 2010.

Dispelling franchising myths

Jan de Beer

Franchising can increase a business' success rate by 80% or more, as it is cemented on the learnings and triumphs of other business pioneers, making it an ideal option for the entrepreneur looking for a smart investment. However, there are popular myths that need to be dispelled about franchising so that franchisees can succeed in this growing field.

Dangerous coffee

Neil Kirby

Understanding consumer rights is becoming an integral part of conducting business in South Africa. With an increased emphasis on potential harm to consumers by goods and services, suppliers around the world must become conscious of their obligations in law in various jurisdictions including South Africa.

M2M industry set to grow 23% annually

Machine-to-machine (M2M) technology, which allows both wireless and wired systems (cellular, wireless and fixed devices) to communicate directly with other devices, is expected to grow as an industry from a current US$121 billion business internationally to $948 billion by 2020.

Five digital signage innovations to watch

[Kevin Bierman, Issued by Moving Tactics]

From television programming to menus to advertising, businesses are using digital signage to entertain while informing customers - and the trend is growing dramatically.

Hot Dog Café buys London Pie, boosts Jobs Fund initiative

Hot Dog Café has purchased the London Pie franchise to broaden its franchise footprint, add value and add a new dimension to its entrepreneurial and job creation mandate.

Good habits of highly successful franchisees

Sean Lilley

To be a successful franchisee or in fact a successful entrepreneur in general, you need to adopt the necessary habits for success.

Tips for improving ecommerce customer service

Charles Mburugu

Most people involved in ecommerce spend most of their time dealing with operations, inventory and policy. However, the most vital element of any business is the customer.

Edcon to begin retrenching at Edgars from May

Zeenat Moorad

Edcon will start retrench staff at its core Edgars chain in May‚ in a bid to reduce operating costs.

Stormy weather ahead

Retail Account Manager - Johannesburg

Quality Assurance/Regulatory Affairs Coordinator - Western Cape