For decades, retail has been a fallback option rather than a destination. Yet this is the sector that employs almost one in five South Africans and contributes significantly to GDP. Behind these impressive numbers, however, lies a stark gap: more than three-quarters of the customer-facing workforce have no formal or transferable retail qualifications. The result has been chronic skills shortages, uneven [...]
In South Africa, Black Friday has evolved into a hybrid of in-store and online shopping, with local and international retailers competing for consumers’ attention and wallets. Black Friday has become a highlight on the global retail calendar, driving record-breaking sales and offering consumers a chance to score major discounts. Consumer insights agency KLA has compiled findings using YouGov Profiles data and [...]
The Modern Marketing Expo, held at Gallagher Convention Centre, attracted 5274 visitors from 38 countries. The event was co-located with Sign Africa, Africa Print, FESPA Africa and Graphics, Print and Sign. The top countries with visitors outside of South Africa included: Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Congo and Ghana. Visitors could see new products and business opportunities [...]
When it comes to Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday, which one takes the lead in terms of online sales? The popularity of online shopping continues to gain traction, even though many consumers have returned in-store. The Courier Guy monitored local shipments that took place during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday. According to The Courier Guy, the growth in total shipments [...]
Mike Smollan, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at Smollan, looks at trend developments that are on the radar as the retail industry transformation continues. As per the Edge Global Insights Report 2023, overall, the retail industry this year has navigated the lingering effects of the pandemic, embraced digital transformation, addressed sustainability concerns, and tackled supply chain challenges. That is coupled with [...]
Based on a recent poll conducted using KLA’s YourView tool, there are six main reasons why consumers in South Africa are hesitant to shop online. Security Concerns A staggering 44% of respondents expressed concerns about the security of their personal and financial information while shopping online. Security threats, including scams and phishing attacks, deter many South Africans from engaging in online [...]
Mali Motsumi-Garrido, Sales Director at Tractor Outdoor, says that when it comes to outdoor media, both static out of home (OOH) or digital out of home (DOOH) media can both play a role in your media strategy. Within media circles, you often notice that the average ‘water cooler’ conversation grows somewhat vehement when it comes […]
According to Times 3 Technologies, having a robust tech foundation is no longer a nice to have, it has become a must-have as retailers look to do things differently without blowing their budgets. By optimising everything from inventory management and order fulfilment to finances, supply chain and customer engagement, the right Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) […]
The future of retail is steadfastly being shaped by digital, as shoppers envision a future where nearly two-thirds (64%) of their shopping will be online in the next 10 years. As the landscape shifts, successful businesses consciously adapt to the new era of digital technologies and economies, according to the Future Shopper Report 2023 by […]
The CTICC is the place to be on 18-19 April 2023, with leading retail and e-commerce brands gathering for two days. ECOM Africa is giving you the opportunity to attend ECOM Africa 2023 free as an expo visitor. The ECOM Africa Expo will feature two on-the-floor stages hosting 50+ speakers covering topics such as retail and e-commerce, cybersecurity, and the future of [...]