Rising fuel prices drive consumer demand for oil-free packaging; new primo bottled water made from plants, not crude oil, expands distribution. 14 Jul 2008
Mass retailer Massmart, home to Makro, Game and Builders Warehouse, reports that sales in the 12 months to June had grown to R89,8bn, bolstered by an extra week in the year. 11 Jul 2008
USA - As an 11-year veteran of e-commerce, web design writer and home business expert, Dennis Gaskill, was used to seeing sales slow down in the weeks leading up to the tax filing deadline. At the time, he attributed his sluggish sales to consumer concern over rising oil prices and the overall economy. After a few more weeks of further declining sales, however, it became clear that this was more than a short-term fluctuation. 11 Jul 2008
Wine-searcher, one of the world's most used wine search engines, is launching its new Wine Market Intelligence Service in Auckland, New Zealand. 11 Jul 2008
In assessing the current economic outlook in SA, Business Unity South Africa (Busa) says that, while there are indisputable signs of a serious and rapid slowdown in economic and business activity in 2008, the overall growth outlook remains positive. 11 Jul 2008
Nando's, South Africa's iconic chicken brand, is celebrating its 21st birthday in style with the opening of its first restaurant on 819 7th Street Washington DC, USA. 11 Jul 2008
SWAP Mobile Payment Systems, a Pretoria-based company, has developed a mobile airtime solution that focuses on convenience and ease of use by allowing users to buy airtime vouchers direct from their phone with a credit card. With the use of USSD technology the call is free and vouchers for any of the major cellphone networks are available for purchase. 11 Jul 2008
The new Sony Ericsson F305 with Motion Gaming puts fun and entertainment at the heart of the mobile phone. In addition to horizontal gameplay and dedicated gaming controls, the F305 lets the user control the action with a swing or a swipe of the phone. 11 Jul 2008
The relatively new industry of Business Process Outsourcing and Offshoring (BPO&O) is expected to grow globally by 50% per annum over the next four years, generating a number of employment opportunities, Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa said on Thursday, 10 July 2008. 11 Jul 2008
The two-day food summit currently taking place at Gallagher Estate in Midrand will enable the Gauteng Department of Agriculture to formulate a position on the pricing of food. 11 Jul 2008
Ease of use and software simplicity have been mainstay messages in CRM for many years. I have watched as this messaging has alternated with financial benefits for a long time, and I am not sure if it's random alternation or if there might be economic undertones, but it seems like we're trading themes at the moment. 11 Jul 2008
Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) is growing rapidly and has the potential to be a multi-billion dollar market, taking advantage of the trend towards single process deals in human resources outsourcing. 11 Jul 2008
Soft goods such as coffee, sugar, cotton and orange juice are nowhere near their all time high prices like so many other commodities such as energies, grains and metals. The soft sector of this market may be the next leader of the commodity bull market. Within the soft commodities, coffee futures may be next to make a historic market run. 10 Jul 2008
The National Prosecuting Authority has revealed that New Clicks Holdings trading as Musica has been found guilty of trading in counterfeit goods, in a matter that was successfully prosecuted by the Specialised Commercial Crime Unit (SCCU). 10 Jul 2008
Music and gaming chain Musica has instituted legal proceedings against Dolphin Enterprises after being found guilty of selling pirated Sony PlayStation products it had bought from the Durban-based company. 10 Jul 2008
USA - Retailers should use the standards set by the Payment Card Industry as a starting point when ensuring that their customer data is as secure as possible, suggests Kristin Lovejoy, IBM's director of corporate security strategy. 10 Jul 2008
The entire United States is debating whether the country is in the midst of an economic slowdown. Some of the signs are fairly explicit: steadily rising fuel prices and their cascading effects on the average consumer, unemployment rate bumps and the continued fallout from the housing market bubble. Independent of which side of the debate you fall, there is one sector of the business world, outside of the oil industry, that continues to defy even the toughest economic naysayer: online businesses. 10 Jul 2008
Earlier this week, the US Food and Drug Administration ordered the makers of certain antibiotics to add a 'black box' label warning - the FDA's strongest - to alert patients of possible tendon ruptures and tendonitis. 10 Jul 2008
The introduction of Grolsch's first batch of premium Dutch brew last week by SAB Ltd through a tightly-controlled distribution plan has been met with a "very encouraging" consumer reaction, says SAB corporate communications manager Janine van Stolk. Supplies were sent to those customers believed to be best placed to shape this global brand's position in the South African market. 10 Jul 2008
Bovril is bringing the flavour of its beef spread to the dinner table with the launch of its new brand extensions: Bovril Gravy Powder and Bovril Instant Gravy. 9 Jul 2008
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