MARKETING NEWS

New York - Greek winemakers are not pricing their wares in drachmas - yet. read more

Johannesburg - South African consumer goods firm Tiger Brands [JSE:TBS] posted a modest rise in first-half earnings on Tuesday, helped by growth in its exports and international businesses as the domestic market remains subdued. read more

Unilever plans to create and improve more products from its new research and development (R&D) facility that opened at the Indonsa factory in Durban this week. read more

A diplomatic feud between SA and Israel could be on the cards following moves by the Department of Trade and Industry to compel traders in SA not to label products originating from occupied Palestinian territories "made in Israel". read more

Johannesburg - Holdsport has reported a strong set of maiden results for the year ended February 2012 with core headline earnings per share rising 22.5% to 387.4 cents. read more

Regional logistics and supply chain services provider Value Group ’s diluted headline earnings per share rose 3,8%, from 58c to 60,2c in the year to February, which the company said was strong given market factors. read more

Los Angeles - American shoemaker Skechers is set to pay $40-million to settle claims that it deceived consumers by suggesting its sports shoes could help tone their butts and lose weight, officials said on Wednesday.  read more

The number of South Africans using the internet has risen significantly because of the use of cellphones, a new study has shown. read more

Johannesburg - Retailer Pick n Pay agreed to change its labelling next year after a complaint over the amount of candy-coated chocolate buttons inside an Easter egg, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said on Tuesday. read more

The increasing internationalisation of Africa’s retail industry — specifically Walmart’s entry to the market — has shaken up SA’s supply chain, forcing local solutions companies to reinvent themselves, Amalgamated Appliance Holdings (Amap) CEO Alan Coward said on Friday. read more

GS1 South Africa, the local custodian of bar codes to the retail industry, has warned South African retail businesses, suppliers and wholesalers about an unauthorised barcode seller that has recently begun soliciting business, offering prospective clients any bar codes they want, including several which are owned by GS1 Global. read more

New research from Tetra Pak, the global food processing and packaging company, has identified 2,7 billion low-income consumers in developing countries as the dairy industry’s next big growth opportunity due to an expected rise in prosperity, purchasing power and desire for packaged liquid dairy products (LDP). read more

Hoofddorp, May 10 – Today, Capi, market leader in electronics retail at airports, has opened a 245 sq. meter shop at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The shop has been completely refurbished in the new Capi style. read more

The number of internet users ballooned in SA last year, due to increased adoption of mobile technology, a new study released on Thursday revealed.  read more

Tokyo - Japanese electronics giant Sony on Thursday posted a record full-year loss of $5.7bn, but vowed it would swing back into the black this year as it embarks on a huge restructuring plan. read more

SA’s top companies have experienced a battering in their reputations this year, a survey showed, but clothing and food retailer Woolworths emerged with the most robust reputation score, despite a controversy involving the alleged misuse of the intellectual property of a small ginger beer maker earlier in the year. read more

Clicks Group will ramp up its footprint over the next three to five years as it targets the 500-store mark, CEO David Kneale says. read more

Johannesburg - Producers of alcoholic beverages - brewers in particular - stand to benefit from the growing consumer market in Africa as more people on the continent move out of poverty, says Moody's Investors Service in a new report published on Wednesday. read more

It has been a solid first quarter for MillerCoors - the joint venture in the US between SABMiller and Molson Coors Brewing Company - driven by strong mix, positive pricing and unseasonably warm weather. read more

Sprawling Chatsworth is set to have a new R150 million shopping centre by this time next year. read more

The arrival of regular rains across most of Ivory Coast's cocoa growing regions last week will strengthen the development of flowers and small pods, brightening the prospects of a delayed mid-crop, farmers and analysts said on Monday. read more

Tiger Brands yesterday confirmed it was in talks with Nigeria’s flour milling company Dangote Flour, a deal that one analyst said could be valued at at least $150m if 80% of the shares were acquired at the market capitalisation of the Nigerian company. read more

Everyone expected all the learnings to come from Walmart. There was an expectation within the retail industry that Walmart would change how Massmart does business not only within the company itself, but for its suppliers and mostly its customers.  read more

Samsung Electronics, sanctioned by a US judge for its failure to produce source code in a patent-infringement case in San Jose, California, will be unable to use some evidence to defend itself against Apple.  read more

CIOs ranked customer relationship management (CRM) as their number eight technology priority for 2012, according to a global survey of CIOs by Gartner.  read more

Germany's Adidas said on Thursday it would cut the number of its Reebok stores in India by about one-third as it tackles “commercial irregularities” at the unit, an issue that has clouded a strong start to a bumper sports year. read more

The latest expansions into Zimbabwe and Swaziland meet the burgeoning demand for ESL systems throughout the rapidly growing African retail market and complement Skydirect's existing operations throughout South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique read more

Americans are growing more frustrated with customer service, and their social media savvy is making it hard for businesses to get away with ignoring the problem, according to the 2012 American Express Global Customer Service Barometer. It found that consumers who have used social media for service wield the greatest amount of influence. They tell significantly more people about their service experiences, and say they'd spend 21 percent more with companies who deliver great service — compared to 13 percent on average.  read more

Johannesburg - Retailer Mr Price Group [JSE:MPC] advised on Wednesday that for the 52 weeks ended 31 March 2012 it expects basic and headline earnings per share to have increased by between 18% and 23% over the prior year, being the 53 weeks ended 2 April 2011.  read more

Samsung Electronics reported a record $5,2bn profit in the first quarter on Friday, overtaking Nokia as the top cellphone seller, and its Galaxy smartphones outsold Apple’s iPhone at the top of the market.  read more

Brussels - The world's leading brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev, maker of Budweiser, Beck's and Stella Artois, posted on Monday a 75% jump in first quarter net profit to $1.69bn. read more

One of Engen Petroleum Limited’s most popular urban 1-Plus service stations, Engen Oranjezicht in Cape Town, is again open to the public following a four-month makeover.  read more

Local high-end retailer Woolworths came one step closer in its bid to lure what CEO Ian Moir calls "trolley shoppers" away from rival Pick n Pay by opening its first supermarket on Friday.  read more

There's a new refrigerator on the market that allows customers to buy cold products using QR codes and a Mobile App. The Vending Fridge, created by ShelfX, a provider of self-checkout and inventory management solutions, is aimed at hotels, offices, retail stores, gyms, coffee shops, schools, libraries or retail locations where flexible food vending is needed, according to a company press release. read more

Clicks Group, the health-and beauty-focused retailer, will this year expand into Lesotho and spend R95m in the second half on opening new stores and refurbishing existing ones. read more

Freshstop are steamrolling ahead with their 75th store opening in 62 Koedoe Ave,Birchleigh, Kempton Park.  read more

Airports and airport retailers looking to better serve and generate more revenue from today's time-starved and mobile-enabled travellers are missing opportunities to do so, according to a survey of travellers in the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany conducted by Opinion Research Corporation for NCR Corp., a manufacturer of self-service, retail, wayfinding and mobile solutions. read more

Local retailers should take advantage of Wal-Mart's weaknesses, rather than competing on price, which is one of its greatest edges, Natalie Berg, global research director of retail analyst firm Planet Retail said.  read more

Pick n Pay was now "well placed" to fulfil its founder Raymond Ackerman’s dream of free-market petrol prices, thanks to a deal with BP Southern Africa, a company spokeswoman said yesterday.  read more

Zurich - Swiss food group Nestlé is to buy US drugmaker Pfizer’s infant nutrition business for $11.85bn, beating out French rival Danone in the battle for dominance of baby food in fast-growing emerging markets.  read more

London - GlaxoSmithKline has agreed to sell a clutch of international over-the-counter healthcare brands for £164m to South Africa’s Aspen Pharmacare Holdings [JSE:APN], Britain’s biggest drugmaker said on Friday. read more

It has already been proven that Massmart-Walmart’s ten week extended price cut promotions offer numerous benefits to customers, including more time to plan for purchases. Adding to this, the promotions provide important insights regarding some of the implications of introducing Walmart's famed Every Day Low Price (EDLP) approach, to Massmart buyers.  read more

SA’s wine exports have shown healthy growth in the first three months of this year, with Nigerian connoisseurs developing a keen nose for the local grape. read more

MasterCard on Thursday announced a new structure for its Middle East and Africa business, spurred by continuous economic development, steady population growth, a stable outlook and a large pool of young consumers entering the workplace each year. read more

Five million active users of Pick n Pay’s Smart Shopper card received combined benefits worth R350 million from the retailer during the 12 months to February. While the total cost of these benefits was not carried by Pick n Pay, the non-recurring set-up costs relating to the card appear to have been a major factor in the group’s weaker-than-expected performance for the year. read more

Johannesburg - Growth in South Africa’s retail sales jumped to 7.2% on an annual basis at constant prices in February from a revised 4.2% in January, Statistics South Africa said on Wednesday. read more

Johannesburg - Online shopping in South Africa is on the rise, with the majority of active internet users saying they do so, according to a survey released on Wednesday. read more

London - Global brewer SABMiller [JSE:SAB] showed a 3% rise in underlying beer volumes in the first three months of 2012 as growth in the emerging markets of Latin America, Africa and Asia offset declines in Europe and North America. read more

Johannesburg - South Africa’s No2 food retailer, Pick n Pay Stores [JSE:PIK], reported a 15% fall in full-year profit on Wednesday, missing expectations, hit by costs related to its shopper loyalty programme and investments in its supply chain. read more

Hobart's SuperSPAR in Bryanston is using a billboard employing real people to draw attention to the fact that residents in the area have almost unanimously awarded it an excellent service rating across the board.  read more

Though operational results for the second half of Pick n Pay's financial year are expected to show an improvement, the group's fervent investment in its turnaround strategy is likely to have had a negative impact on profit growth for the year.  read more

SABMiller plans to invest up to $2,5bn in Africa over the next five years to build and refurbish breweries, its head for the region said yesterday, as it looks to slake rising demand for beer on the fast-growing continent. read more

Moody’s rating agency yesterday downgraded Nokia’s debt grade to near-junk status, citing a sharp decline in first-quarter cellphone sales that led to a 35% fall in revenue. read more

A shock draft bill from the Department of Health that totally prohibits the advertising and promotion of alcoholic products is being reworked behind closed doors by an interdepartmental government task team.  read more

During the 3rd annual Climate Change Leadership Awards held in Sandton, PnP was the winner in the Private Sector Retail category. read more

London - The London Olympics will give a short-term boost to Britain's weak economy but economists predict the greatest sporting spectacle on Earth will fail to prevent a sharp slowdown this year. read more

As the advertising world emerges from a torrid financial period characterised by recession and global instability that forced companies to cut marketing budgets, it faces a very different consumer environment.  read more

Samsung Electronics Co., Apple's biggest competitor in the market for iPad-sized tablet computers, is updating its line to include a feature that lets a tablet act as a universal remote control for an entertainment centre. read more

Detailed information about optimal ripening helps the company plan harvest of individual vineyards, good sales growth lifts profits read more

The third quarter will see the arrival of Apple’s iPhone 5, bug on new Nokia smartphone with Windows operating system has dashed hopes for a comeback read more

Coca-Cola Company’s Simply Orange juice brand is not simply orange juice, according to a lawsuit filed against the beverage company read more

After a one-year pilot study of Savvy Penny, an in-store digital coupon system that uses Bluetooth technology to offer value and savings to consumers, Milam's Market in Coral Gables, Fla., is rolling out the loyalty solution that delivers two-way interactive promotions directly to the consumer at the point of sale through touchscreens on the store shelf, according to a company press release. read more

Tokyo - Sony will cut 10 000 jobs worldwide this year as it attempts to carry out sweeping reforms aimed at reviving the iconic but loss-making Japanese electronics giant, the Nikkei business daily said on Monday.  read more

Supermarket chain Tesco is to ditch the traditional blue & white stripes on its own-brand products as part of a major re-launch, it was announced today. read more

Despite all the buzz around showrooming and mobile shopping, retailers will be relieved to know that brick-and-mortar stores are still important for 90 percent of shoppers, according to a study published by the e-tailing group with online local media company Local Corporation. read more

Pick n Pay exceeded the estimated number of Smart Shopper cardholders by 2 million. The food retailer had estimated that the loyalty programme would reach 3 million customers in its first year, but by yesterday the store recorded just over 5 million. read more

NFC Bootcamp announced that its first international boot camp will take place in London at Screenmedia expo 2012, a trade show dedicated to digital screenmedia, marketing and technology. read more

Brands in Britain spent almost £5 billion (R61bn) advertising online in 2011, with video ads and marketing on social media platforms driving growth to its biggest increase in five years against a weak economic backdrop.  read more

For global retailers looking to secure long term growth and diversify their source of income, setting up an African strategy is key.  read more

Loblaw's Joe Fresh, Canada's biggest grocer, opened a flagship store last week on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, but instead of meat and produce, it's selling $29-women's dresses and $12-men's shirts, according to Bloomberg.  read more

Beauty company Coty said on Monday it offered to buy Avon Products for $10bn, but the bid was rejected by the cosmetics direct seller, which is grappling with sliding sales in key markets and a bribery probe. read more

Advertising spend jumped 11% to R32.1-billion last year from R28.9-billion the previous year, according to figures released this week by researcher Nielsen. read more

In a further sign of its international strength, global retail group Alliance Boots opened another store in Thailand this week.  read more

Walmart Stores Inc. plans to lower its grocery prices by $1 billion this year in hopes that customers will be drawn in by the lower prices on food and also make purchases in other areas of the store, according to a published report. The retail giant generated $145 billion in grocery sales last year.  read more

Johannesburg - The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront says trade in the last six months has been exceptionally strong, with retail sales growing by about 18% year-on-year (y/y). read more

Bytes Managed Solutions has a longstanding business relationship with Pick n Pay, and has recently been instrumental in delivering on a major project to enhance the customer experience and boost sales. read more

26 March 2012: Engen Petroleum, South Africa’s leading retail forecourt brand , has trumped the competition with yet another first – a loyalty programme tied to the Furry Five soft toy range, which is set to launch in Quickshop convenience stores around the country from 26 March – 16 September 2012. read more

Owners of big-box to mom-and-pop stores understand the value of having a location or display that stands out in the crowd of saturated advertising messages. Marketing Ad Group said it has found a way to cut through that tidal wave of advertising with its Holographic Greeter, an information, branding and promotional messaging medium that displays a holographic image projected onto a life-sized cut-out, according to a company press release. read more

Since Tesco's poster retail experiment in a Korean subway station last June, the idea of using QR codes and NFC tags to let consumers make purchases from virtual stores has exploded. Stockholm Central Station worked recently with e-commerce platform provider Jetshop to test the concept, hoping to discover how the mobile-connected "poster stores" would impact the future of retailing, according to a story on NFC World. read more

LOUISVILLE, KY. — Digital Signage Today, the daily news and information portal devoted to the digital signage industry, has just published the 2012 edition of its report "Digital Signage ROI: Finding the return on investment for digital signage." read more

At a beer industry summit last month, Ed McBrien, distribution chief for MillerCoors, compared himself to a typewriter salesman in an iPad age. read more

The 22nd of March 2012 marks a momentous milestone for fashion and FAIRTRADE in South Africa as PUMA launched its first clothing range made with Fairtrade cotton. The PUMA Wilderness Collection is available in all Due South stores across the country. It is inspired by the landscape and climate of Africa, and is made in Africa using FAIRTRADE cotton.  read more

A wait-and-see approach should be applied to gauge the performance of international clothing labels as more foreign stores were making their way to the South African market, retail analysts said last week.  read more

Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana has taken a small South African business to court, accusing it of diluting the luxury brand's name, it was reported on Sunday. read more

Smallholder farming continues to be on the agricultural development agenda as the government seeks to stimulate the agro-processing sector to kick-start its job creation drive. read more

Johannesburg/Hamburg - South Africa has committed an additional 400 000 tonnes of maize exports to drought-stricken Mexico, a scenario that will likely push Africa’s largest corn producer into a deficit situation this marketing season and propel domestic food prices higher. read more

Johannesburg – The Happy George bar’s Zulu Blonde is on its way to the UK.  read more

Beaverton - Nike says its third-quarter net income rose seven percent as price increases and high demand for its sneakers and athletic gear compensated for rising costs.  read more

Impala looks much like the other clear beers on the market and to the untrained palate it tastes a lot like a traditional beer. On the nose it has a slight difference to it, something one cannot put a finger on. read more

SAN FRANCISCO – March 20, 2012 – Continuing to execute on its global expansion strategy, Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) announced today the opening of its first free-standing stores in South Africa – the largest apparel retail market in Africa – via its franchise channel. Six months after the successful launch of the company’s first stores on the continent, these store openings mark Gap Inc.’s entry into a third country in Africa - after Egypt and Morocco – and its first in sub-Saharan Africa.  read more

Clicks will now offer free funeral cover for its loyalty programme members and will seek to extend its financial services offering to keep customers coming back to its stores, the company said yesterday. read more

Zulu Blonde, a beer first brewed in a garden shed in Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal is selling "like a rocket" since it went on tap in over 900 pubs across the UK last Wednesday. read more

Service rather than price will be the battle ground of choice for smart retailers looking to take on global retail giant Wal-Mart, a customer service guru said recently.  read more

Fundamental changes are in play in the world's wheat market and their consequences for South Africa's farmers could be startling. read more

Pioneer Foods said in a trading update on Friday that revenue rose 13% in the five months to the end of February, but volumes fell by an average 4%-6% in the group’s product basket on lower consumer spending. read more

Bangkok - State media in Thailand say the self-made Thai billionaire who created the renowned Red Bull energy drink three decades ago has died. He was 89. read more

Bloemfontein will soon boast an exciting new shopping experience when the first Makro store in the Free State province opens its doors in October 2012. read more

Purple Cow Communications, a leading Internet marketing company in South Africa has been chosen by TFG (The Foschini Group) to monitor, measure and manage the online reputation of the retail giant’s 16 retail brands, namely: @home, @homelivingspace, American Swiss, donna-claire, Duesouth, exact!, Fabiani, Fashion Express, Foschini, Luella, Markham, Matrix, sportscene, Sterns and Totalsports.  read more

One of the most popular reality food shows in the world is finally coming to SA! MasterChef SA will premiere on M-Net at 7.30pm, Tuesday 20 March. It will bring together some of the country’s best amateur cooks to compete for the title of MasterChef South Africa – and they’ll be cooking with Woolworths food. This means foodies at home will have access to the same ingredients as the contestants, so they an cook up a storm at home, too! read more

Tesco Plc (TSCO) said the head of its biggest unit, Richard Brasher, will step down from the board and leave the company in July after the U.K.’s largest supermarket chain saw market share slide to seven-year low. read more