Exhibitions could be a useful way of increasing sales as consumers seek value for money in a blighted economic climate. 6 Apr 2009
While the South African environment is set to benefit from new tariffs designed to stimulate renewable energy development, consumers will feel the pressure of higher prices. 3 Apr 2009
A partial recovery in some industrial commodities has rekindled investor interest in these stocks in recent weeks. Sugar, one of the so-called “soft commodities”, has done considerably better. 3 Apr 2009
Even as the recession grinds on, the gaming industry continues to draw in consumers' entertainment dollars. Nintendo hit a console shipping milestone 50 million Wii units last week, while retailer GameStop announced a monster of a sales quarter. 3 Apr 2009
The traditional sales pressures of lengthening sales cycles and low quota achievement have only been exacerbated by the recent economic downturn. Many businesses have been forced to cut costs, eliminate waste and often freeze spending. The few organisations that might be looking to spend are increasingly engaging in intense due diligence through various online sources, such as consumer-generated content forums and other third-party information providers, to inform their purchasing decisions. 3 Apr 2009
Ukash, a cash payment solution for the internet, has signed a deal with Pick n Pay to make electronic cash vouchers available from its 750 outlets across South Africa. The partnership makes it easier than ever for millions of consumers in South Africa to pay for goods and services online. 3 Apr 2009
TNS Research Surveys has won Avusa Media's 2009 market research contract for the Sunday Times Top Brands Awards and The Times and Sowetan Retail Awards surveys, after a three-way pitch, it was announced earlier this week. 3 Apr 2009
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's tea exports slid nearly 30% in February due to an output slump blamed on a "severe drought," officials said on Thursday, 2 April 2009. 3 Apr 2009
SYDNEY: Australia's consumer regulator has ordered Coca-Cola to publish corrections after it claimed in "unacceptable" ads that health risks from the soft drink were a myth, the watchdog said on Thursday, 2 April 2009. 3 Apr 2009
Telkom expects by year's end to start selling a mobile service that lets customers buy a cellphone and airtime from Telkom shops in direct competition with existing cellular operators. 2 Apr 2009
In a bid to stem the abuse of consumers by lenders and ensure compliance with the National Credit Act (NCA), the National Credit Regulator (NCR) has conducted 10 joint onsite investigations with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the North West Consumer Affairs offices in Rustenburg, which led to the arrest of three lenders who contravened the Act. 2 Apr 2009
With millions of South Africans seeking employment, small business is positioned to be one of the ways to reduce unemployment in South Africa and both the private and public sector is looking to developing a culture of small business in the country. While franchising is seen as a key business driver in this sector, the industry is not without challenges. 2 Apr 2009
Over 1.6 million ticket applications have been made to FIFA for the 2010 World Cup, in the first phase of ticket sales that ended Tuesday night, 31 March 2009. 2 Apr 2009
Manufacturing activity slumped to a new record low last month, a benchmark survey showed yesterday, 1 April 2009, backing the view that SA's economy has joined the global recession. 2 Apr 2009
For the past five years, SA Fashion Week and the department of arts and culture have worked together to bring the beauty of traditional African handicraft to the world of high fashion in a ground-breaking project called Fashion Fusion. Since its inception in 2004, more than 900 crafters and 40 leading designers from all nine provinces have collaborated to produce fashion that is proudly, uniquely South African. 2 Apr 2009
Spar has done it again, with Sherwood Spar winning La Femme's hot cross bun test. The supermarket bakery was the unanimous favourite from an array of nine different hot cross buns in a blind tasting held by La Femme last week at Newspaper House. 2 Apr 2009
Shopping on eBay just got a bit more rewarding, at least for some users of the online auctioneer's site. 2 Apr 2009
BlackBerry maker Research In Motion has launched an app store for its iconic device. BlackBerry App World went live Wednesday morning, 1 April 2009, with some 1,000 applications available. 2 Apr 2009
The competition authorities have placed fish on the menu as a food area worthy of investigation to uncover whether there are cartels in operation. 1 Apr 2009
Since its inception in 2004, over six million South Africans have opened Mzansi bank accounts which provide previously un-banked clients easy access to banking services countrywide. 1 Apr 2009