This report relates to the current situation in the UK, where, just as in SA, fuel and other costs have risen, as have interest rates. The result is that companies, including airlines, have closed. 29 Jul 2008
South Africa's apparel Trade Union, the South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (SACTWU) has launched a unit to provide a "voice" to designers. The new unit, called the South African Fashion Designers' Institute (SAFDI), will have representation in all of the provinces. 29 Jul 2008
In celebration of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, which start in the Chinese capital on 8 August 2008, Coca-Cola has launched a limited edition “fan can” for avid collectors of Coca-Cola memorabilia, as well as Olympic Games fans. 29 Jul 2008
Johannesburg Executive Mayor Amos Masondo has announced that the increase of 20.6% in electricity tariffs will be effective from 1 August 2008. 28 Jul 2008
High import tariffs, trade barriers and a culture of protectionism impedes economic growth, says Department of Trade and Industry Director General Tshediso Matona. 28 Jul 2008
Travellers and locals looking for a gourmet eating experience in the Lowveld need search no longer with the launch of the Lowveld Gourmet Route by the region's Big 5 restaurants in partnership with Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Board. 28 Jul 2008
POPAI SA is launching a roadshow on 1 September 2008 to assess the feasibility of establishing a pilot study for Marketing at-Retail (MARI) in South Africa. 28 Jul 2008
USA - At first it seemed like ordinary shoplifting - stuffing a few pairs of jeans into an oversize bag and walking out of the store. But the thieves got bolder. They began showing up in groups of five or six in the middle of the day, spraying store clerks with mace and knocking customers out of the way as they gathered armfuls of clothes. Sometimes they tossed a brick through the glass. Sometimes they drove a truck through the front door. 28 Jul 2008
A national Food Control Agency is to be established in the wake of concerns over the consistent increases in food prices, President Thabo Mbeki has announced. 28 Jul 2008
Chinese textile company Tai Yuen is to ask the Labour Court to review a R17,5m award made against it by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). 28 Jul 2008
Tongaat Hulett expected rise in profit operations is good news, but... 28 Jul 2008
Thanks to anti-tobacco legislation, SA will host the third Conference of Parties on Tobacco Control later this year. 28 Jul 2008
Wine makers experiment with snob-defying packaging. 28 Jul 2008
Weeks ago, security researchers spotted a domain name system flaw that could spell trouble for the entire internet. They attempted to keep things quiet while they created and distributed a patch admins could use to plug the holes. But the flaw was leaked, it's in the wild, and some DNS admins may be caught with their pants way, way down. 28 Jul 2008
Highlighting growing interest in iPhone-tailored advertising, a pair of US-based mobile ad networks has announced new initiatives for the Apple device. 25 Jul 2008
Today's retailer is faced with a conundrum. Shareholders expect better return on invested capital and more frequent merchandise turns, but customers expect to have the merchandise they want and see advertised actually in stock and available for sale when they are ready to buy. The solution seems obvious - offer localised assortments in stores or personalised views in other selling channels. 25 Jul 2008
The world of online business communication has introduced two industry-changing elements for small business: more customers and more competitors. Circa 1999, you were ahead of the competition by simply having a website to preview your service or products. By 2004, web transactions were the norm, and convenience was the king. 25 Jul 2008
As though in defiance of current economic trends, Amazon delivered second-quarter earnings that gave investors little to complain about. 25 Jul 2008
Never before has the voice of the customer been so loud. And never before have companies been so keen to not only pay close attention to the wants, likes, experiences, preferences, opinions, suggestions and complaints of customers, but to carefully analyse and act upon the information in a systematic fashion. 25 Jul 2008
Low income earners in South Africa have the opportunity to invest in their future with their money guaranteed by Government through Retail Savings Bonds. 25 Jul 2008
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