Industry leaders in South Africa's automotive industry are optimistic that local factories will escape most of the damage caused by the US's credit crunch, with growth forecasted from as early as the middle of 2009. 11 Nov 2008
Enterprise organisations often think of customer service as an unavoidable fact of business, a necessary expense. Rethink customer service, however, and it can become a strategic weapon that fosters growth and competitive advantage. 11 Nov 2008
Demands by the EU to fit nutritional information on to food packaging will not work because the labels are too big, food companies have complained. 11 Nov 2008
Retail sales are likely to remain in the doldrums in the months to come given a challenging economic and financial environment, said Standard Bank group economists in a research note on Friday. 10 Nov 2008
Furniture retailer Lewis has reported a 0.9% decline to 305.7 cents in headline earnings per share for the interim period ended September compared with the same time a year ago. 10 Nov 2008
The ClareMart Auction Group will sell what is billed as a first in South Africa, when a local 'tequila' distillery and plant goes under its hammer. 10 Nov 2008
The multimillion dollar point of sale corporation, Marin's, has landed on local ground. Based in France, the company is investing in South Africa with an aim to place the country in the forefront of economic and technological advancement. 10 Nov 2008
Retail sales figures to be released tomorrow are expected to show further deterioration due to a slowdown in consumer expenditure as higher living and debt-servicing costs are demanding a larger chunk of consumers' budgets. 10 Nov 2008
When's the last time you heard an online retailer complain that their banner ads were too well targeted? How about an online publisher lamenting the torrent of accurate user data they were able to capture, or for that matter a user who just wanted more of the ads they were getting to be irrelevant to them? 10 Nov 2008
More is better, right? Wrong. In The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less, Barry Schwartz explains how too many options actually cause more psychological distress than good. And nowhere is the overabundance of choice more prevalent than the Internet, where any given Web site can present us with an overwhelming number of alternatives at once. 10 Nov 2008
As the economy continues to decline, retailers are fighting a fierce battle for a share of the consumer's wallet. Every customer counts, but the loyal customers are particularly valuable, especially when your competitor is just a click away. 10 Nov 2008
Two new multi-award winning board games from Blowfish Entertainment are set to capture the imagination when they launch in South Africa this November. 10 Nov 2008
Analysts are careful not to suggest that Foschini is a bellwether for retail sales - they prefer to look at Truworths or Edcon. 7 Nov 2008
USA: ReCORK America has begun a recycling programme to reclaim a small portion of the estimated 13 billion natural cork wine stoppers sold into the world market each year. 7 Nov 2008
BP Express is Gauteng's most popular forecourt retailer according to the recent Ipsos Markinor Retail Survey commissioned by The Times and Sowetan newspapers. 7 Nov 2008
Keedo, a Proudly South African children's clothing company, is taking its shopping experience online with the launch of their new website. 7 Nov 2008
The meltdown of international, regional and country specific financial institutions and the global economy as a whole and the subsequent trickle-down consequences for consumers is having a negative impact on the apparel industry. However, there are opportunities for companies and in particular for smaller independent boutiques and designers to consolidate their business, revisit their marketing strategy and customer relations in order to capture market growth. It's not necessary for South African designers and small boutiques to become victims of this financial calamity. 7 Nov 2008
Apparel retailer Truworths reported today that sales for the 18 weeks of its full year 2009 rose 14% to R2.065 billion, but said the environment remained challenging. 6 Nov 2008
A fuel theft syndicate, responsible for stealing thousands of Rands of petrol has been uncovered in the Western Cape. Authorities have since urged other large corporations to be on the lookout for similar crimes. 6 Nov 2008
South African independent wine and spirit producer and distributor DGB, has again called upon washroom media specialists TLC to run a university washroom campaign for Zappa, the brand's leading sambuca product. Its latest campaign boasts updated creative and aims to instil brand awareness for the month of October and again from 1 February to 31 May 2009. 6 Nov 2008
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