The Covid19 pandemic and related restrictions had a dramatic impact on consumer shopping behaviour, particularly for wine consumption. Despite the easing of restrictions, many people still prefer to enjoy a glass of wine in the safety of their homes and online wine sales have increased dramatically during this time, with Woolworths seeing double digit online wine sales growth.

Woolworths has expanded its offering and opened a new concept standalone liquor store, adjoining the Food Market of their Nicolway branch in Bryanston, Johannesburg. WCellar opened its doors on 27 May, and services the Bryanston/Sandton area, promising to bring customers the very best in whatever they need for a well-stocked wine and liquor cabinet, or fridge.

The Shoprite Group opened four new stores across three provinces between 27 and 29 April 2021.

Food Lover’s Market has announced expansion plans for 2021 which will see the grocery retailer spend R250 million on a number of new locations and refurbish older format stores.

Engen’s fast-food convenience offering is flourishing, and Cape Town customers can now enjoy a slice of Andiccio24’s delicious pizza at the newly opened Engen Settler’s Way Convenience Centre in Mowbray.

Clicks, South Africa’s largest retail pharmacy chain, has opened its 600th pharmacy at Nicolway Shopping Centre in Bryanston, Johannesburg. This forms part of the group’s long-term goal to expand its national footprint to 900 stores in South Africa, with a pharmacy operating in every store.

Pharmacy, health and beauty retailer Clicks has opened its 750th store at the Cape Quarter in Green Point, Cape Town.

Starbucks has proudly taken up occupancy in Pretoria’s brand-new Castle Gate Lifestyle Centre, which opened on 26 November.

A brand new Builders store is opening its doors at Cresta Shopping Centre on November 26, 2020. The first branch to open within a super-regional mall, Builders Cresta will offer the full Builders Express range of products and services the brand is trusted for including a garden centre and a paint tinting and mixing counter.

FreshStop at Caltex opened its 325th store at 68 Alumina Allee Street in the industrial area of Alton in Richards Bay last week. The Moodley family’s latest venture took flight with the opening of FreshStop Alton, which has rejuvenated the Caltex fuel forecourt that the family has been running there since August last year.

Stores selling hardware can reopen to everyone under Level 4 of the national lockdown.

Small businesses have welcomed plans by the government to clamp down on spaza shops that are trading outside the confines of the law.