THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS: Dutch retail giant Ahold reported second quarter sales of €6.43 billion (US$9.2 billion), yesterday, Tuesday 28 July 2009, up 11.5% from a year earlier but short of analyst forecasts for €6.55 billion. 29 Jul 2009
Houses have gone green, cars have gone green, and now shoes are following in their footsteps. 29 Jul 2009
LONDON, UK: British confectionery maker Cadbury said today, Wednesday 29 July 2009, that interim net profits almost tripled thanks to a strong performance in emerging markets and its chocolate division. 29 Jul 2009
This year is a momentous one for the South African wine industry. Not only does it celebrate 350 years of winemaking excellence in South Africa, it also marks the 35th anniversary of the Nederburg Auction - and with National Women's Day just around the corner, it is fitting that this year's Auction welcomes female winemakers - Andrea Freeborough, Liza Goodwin, and family duo, Irina von Holdt and Fran Botha. 29 Jul 2009
The Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers' Union (Sactwu) on Tuesday, 28 July 2009, said that wage negotiations in 12 centralised bargains had thus far seen five cases settled, with the remaining seven still locked in negotiations. 28 Jul 2009
PARIS, FRANCE: Italian retailer Borletti has emerged as the early favourite to take over the Christian Lacroix fashion house, in administration since early June, its court-appointed administrators said. 28 Jul 2009
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND: Monaco has tabled a formal proposal to place overfished Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna on the list of the world's most endangered species, a move that could ban all trade of the fish. 28 Jul 2009
WASHINGTON, USA: In a bid to drum up more business, eBay on Monday, 27 July 2009, said it plans to reward top-rated sellers on the online auction site. 28 Jul 2009
Questek Customer Care, a division of the Questek group of companies has received its ISO 9001 accreditation from SGS South Africa, a leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. 28 Jul 2009
Upstream and downstream collaboration is recognised as essential in dealing with a number of challenges in the supply chain, offering real strategic potential and benefit. A recent study into the supply chain and logistics practises of South African companies, Supply Chain Intelligence Report (SCIR) 2009, has however revealed that companies in the construction industry are lagging behind in terms of international best practise as they experience poor visibility in their supply chains due to low levels of collaboration. 28 Jul 2009
PARIS, FRANCE: French luxury giant LVMH, maker of Louis Vuitton bags and Moet champagne, a 23% profit drop for the first six months of 2009 to €687 million ($977 million). 28 Jul 2009
WASHINGTON, USA: According to various reports, Apple plans to come out later this year with a portable tablet-sized computer that can surf the Web and may also serve as an electronic book reader. 28 Jul 2009
PARIS, FRANCE: Next week will be decisive for the future of the Christian Lacroix fashion house, in administration since early June, as the deadline for potential buyers to submit their offers expired on Monday, 27 July 2009. 28 Jul 2009
After an adjudication waiting period, Safari Dried Fruit and Sasko's attempt for the world's largest hot cross bun, which took place on 4 April 2009 in Cape Town, has officially been awarded the Guinness World Record title. 27 Jul 2009
Selected from amongst more than 1,000 entries, Lincoln Mokoena is one of 11 finalists in this year's AuDITIONS Urban Tribes gold jewellery design competition. 27 Jul 2009
A Mandela Bay manufacturing plant has achieved the highest rating possible judged on worldwide quality and productivity standards. 27 Jul 2009
Famous Brands has aquired the South African and African business of fast casual coffee-themed franchise Mugg & Bean for a cash consideration of R104 million, the company announced Monday, 27 July 2009. 27 Jul 2009
Retailer of building materials Cashbuild said in a voluntary trading update on Monday, 27 July 2009, that revenue was up 18% from the fourth quarter of the prior financial year. 27 Jul 2009
South African Tourism, in partnership with First National Bank (FNB), have called on consumers to nominate establishments and tourism services that they feel have delivered outstanding services for the Welcome Awards. 27 Jul 2009
Increasing contact centre efficiency has always been a clear path to cutting costs, regardless of economic conditions. Increasing productivity and doing more with existing resources are now more important than ever, but cutting call centre costs does not have to result in poorer customer service. 27 Jul 2009
Let's do Biz