South African-based retailer Shoprite is confident that its African operations will maintain their strong growth rate. 2 Sep 2008
Yellow Zebra Optical, in association with Fashion TV South Africa, is going on tour this September for the launch of the latest Police, Escada, Givenchy and Jean Paul Gaultier eyewear ranges. 2 Sep 2008
USA: The hottest gadgets of today will look old and tired a year from now. Sellers of mobile handsets, smartphones, MP3 players, gaming consoles, camcorders, digital cameras and laptops constantly push the latest and greatest technology, leaving yesterday's choice items in the dust. 2 Sep 2008
Researchers expect that post-Olympic slump will see reallocation of manufacturing IT budgets. Are there lessons for South Africa and post-2010? The World Cup is not the Olympics, but it is a huge event - can we too, expect a downturn? After all, other countries have also seen downturns after hosting the Olympics. 2 Sep 2008
Metcash, one of the largest distributors of consumer goods on the African continent operating in six African countries, has also become a major player in South Africa's corporate social investment landscape. The company's Shona Khona (“Go Get It”) youth sports initiative is aimed at providing life changing opportunities to South African youngsters. 2 Sep 2008
The Internet has given consumers a powerful voice to level their complaints when a company does them wrong, and the firm that's unresponsive may have to deal with bad - and potentially very costly - publicity as a result. The sword can cut both ways, though. Complaining customers may face legal risks too, if they're not careful to distinguish opinion from fact. 2 Sep 2008
Tawny Reynolds, a final-year student at the Cape Town College of Fashion Design, has been named the Foschini Annual Design (FAD) Awards' star designer for 2008. The awards evening, which took place on Thursday, 21 August 2008 at the Mandela-Rhodes Place in Cape Town, attracted the “who's who” of the fashion industry such as Gabi Rosenwerth and Doreen Southwood, both of whom were showing at the Virgin Mobile Cape Town Fashion Week. 1 Sep 2008
Consumer product companies must adopt appropriate technologies to help sustain a competitive edge in the market place. 1 Sep 2008
The South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu) will meet soon to decide what further action to take to press retailer Pick n Pay to up its pay offer. 1 Sep 2008
Amarula Cream is stepping into a fresh digital space with the launch of its new interactive website. 1 Sep 2008
Retail giant Edcon said last week it would continue to grow sales in the coming months despite a tough trading environment characterised by rising food prices and high inflation. 1 Sep 2008
Like any company, Apple has its shortcomings. It's turned out some products even its biggest fans call mediocre, it gives customers minimal information about its plans and intentions, and developers complain about unusual restrictions. However, the company has managed to cultivate a culture of fierce loyalty, and situations that would have other companies in crisis mode seem to roll off its back. 31 Aug 2008
In a move that's left some observers scratching their heads, Microsoft has acquired a German comparison shopping site, Ciao for US$486 million in cash. 31 Aug 2008
USA: As the general population becomes more comfortable with high-tech gadgets, retailers are looking for ways to incorporate them into the shopping experience. An assortment of devices are now available to help customers buy smarter and faster, reducing the need for customer service while boosting satisfaction. 31 Aug 2008
Primall Media will be launching its latest innovation, Touch Screen Directory boards, in October 2008, with the placement of 93 touch screen units in 18 of the top malls countrywide. Consumers will no longer have to try and navigate from current 'you are here' static and confusing shopping mall directories. 29 Aug 2008
Fashion retailer Edcon Holdings suffered a first-quarter loss of R643 million to June, compared with a R1,13 billion profit for the corresponding period a year ago. 29 Aug 2008
Vincent Park could become the first casualty in East London's battle of the malls with a major tenant considering cutting its store in half in favour of another outlet in the new Hemingways Mall. 29 Aug 2008
Woolworths has a steady supplier base. It has teams of scientists developing new products. Woolworths's reputation as a tough and demanding buyer of products and services precedes it. Suppliers confirm this and CEO Simon Susman concedes that working with his company “can be challenging”. 29 Aug 2008
USA: More than a third of mainstream consumers over the age of 30 experience deep frustration associated with their cell phone's interface according to a study revealed yesterday by Bowen Research, a firm that researches and evaluates consumer attitudes and behavior about high tech products, software and electronics. 29 Aug 2008
UNITED KINGDOM: As a result of increasing demand from industry franchisees, today marks the official launch of a new franchise association and dedicated web portal: www.franchiseeassociation.org.uk. 29 Aug 2008
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