For the most part, it has been a dismal year for South African retailers; elevated household debt, higher fuel prices and an increase in value-added tax squeezed consumer spending. However, Ackermans, South Africa’s longest standing value retailer, performed well over 2018 reporting growth of just over 10% which is three times more than the industry benchmark.

Consumers are likely to be hit hard by rising food costs after Eskom was granted above-inflation price increases by the energy regulator for the next three years, according to FNB.

Consulta has released its latest South African Customer Satisfaction Index (SAcsi) for supermarkets, looking at the overall level of customer satisfaction at South Africa’s big five supermarket brands – Woolworths, Pick n Pay, Spar, Checkers and Shoprite.

Supermarkets are to start growing fresh produce in ‘pick your own’ aisles. Greens, salads and herbs will be grown inside hi-tech cabinets, which have their own water supply and LED lights that promote growth 365 days a year.

FreshStop, has just opened its 300th store at 928 King Cetshwayo Highway (Caltex at the 45th Cutting) in Sherwood, Durban.

Nielsen has launched its 2019 Changing Consumer Prosperity Report which highlights how global consumers think and feel about their financial situation and reveals that when it comes to feeling prosperous, mindset matters more than income.

Two independent South African retailers have won the prestigious title of International Retailer of the Year (South Africa) at the 2019 IGA International Retailers of the Year awards.

Sovereign Foods, the third largest poultry producer in South Africa, has announced its merger with the Cold Storage Group (CSG), an Eastern Cape wholesaler of poultry and value-added poultry products.

Sanjeev Raghubir has been appointed as Group Sustainability Manager at the Shoprite Group.

Marlenique, a fruit farm and wedding venue outside of Franschhoek in the Western Cape has unveiled a state of the art floating solar PV system.

Mall of Africa is excited to announce that a new Pick n Pay store will open at the centre in the third quarter of this year.

RCL Foods is appealing to the SA government to limit cheap imports of chicken and sugar after an influx from the Americas weighed on the local producer.