Advertise with fastmoving.co.za
 
 

Retail technology: concepts come to life?

Aug 18th 2011, 10:00

18.08.2011

Retail technology: concepts come to life?


Electronic Shelf Label technology has, for some time, been a concept that could clearly deliver significant benefits and cost reductions to retailers but costs have made that investment case just a little too risky for most. That scenario has begun to change as a number of retailers have now adopted this technology. As more units are sold the price per unit will drop and, as that happens, the use of ESLs will become the standard.

It’s not only the reductions in time and labour that makes ESLs attractive, but also the added benefits of accuracy, better promotional flexibility and the opportunity to implement time sensitive pricing that excites retailers. Any project that saves money and offers the opportunity to increase margins will attract attention.

So, what is the next big thing in in-store technology? For my money, self service checkout has got to be high on the list of priorities. It’s a concept that will appear far off in the distance only to hit consumers like a freight train. I know there are issues around theft and dishonesty but they will get ironed out.

Imagine a store with 16 till points, only 6 have cashiers and 10 are self service tunnels. The tunnel is a conveyer belt that has multi-directional scanners; shoppers simply place the item at one end and it gets scanned as it moves through to the other end where it’s collected. Payment is then made by card. Some retailers may even offer a discount for using the self-service checkout.

The technology is improving all the time, costs are still high but once European or American retailers adopt the practice those costs will drop very quickly. It will not be long before South African retailers begin to pilot the concept, when that happens I have no doubt that unions and governments will be fighting very hard to legislate against the practice.

This editorial is also on our blog.

Craig Ballantyne and Wendy Smith

P.S. Look out for the first Retail Technology Forum in Africa event, which will be held in Cape Town in September 2011. Find out more information about it on our website here.

Please feel free to make comments or raise new issues by emailing the editor

        
Fastmoving Spotlight
new products · brand activity · liqour · jobs · events
· Fruit, vegetable sector ‘could yield many more jobs’
Bureau says SA’s agricultural sector could create at least 400000 extra jobs if more attention was given to boosting the fruit and vegetable subsectors
· Economists expect retail rebound
Absa Capital economist Gina Schoeman said June's retail sales figure would be keenly watched because it provided the final piece of the second quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) picture.
· Walmart’s sustainability drive results in cost savings
Retail giant Walmart saved itself "tens of millions" of dollars by incorporating sustainability into its strategy , Yvo de Boer, global sustainability adviser for tax and advisory services company KPMG said yesterday.


Retail Technology: concepts come to life? Self-checkout.
Retailer News
Are private label brands a threat to national brands?
It’s a question that may keep many marketers and brand managers awake at night – are private label brands encroaching on national brands? The answer is yes, and no, according to Dr Magda Nenycz-Thiel, a senior researcher from the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science at the University of South Australia.
· Walmart’s sustainability drive results in cost savings
· Pick n Pay appoints deputy chief executive officer
· PnP wins Sunday Times Top Brands Award
Economic News
Warning of spike in commodity and food prices
South Africans should brace themselves as commodity and food prices are expected to be a lot higher next year, driven mainly by unreliable weather, the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy says. Food prices account for more than 14% of the basket of goods and services that is the basis of the consumer price index , SA’s main measure of inflation.
· Economists expect retail rebound
· Retail sales pick up
· Weak retail sales indicate low second quarter GDP growth
New Products
New I&J Out o' the Oven
Families will love new I&J Out o' the Oven, the latest delicious crumbed fish offering with fantastic flavour from seafood specialists, I&J.
Introducing the new range of Sunbake Seed Loaves.
The special ingredients are the crunchy seeds we’ve crammed into every loaf. Linseed, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and poppy seeds provide us with a powerpack of some of our essential vitamins & minerals. Now, health-conscious individuals just like yourself can enjoy the natural goodness we have to offer in the Sunbake Seeded Range.
Supplier News
Nestle’s Biggest Takeover in China Creates 23% Return at No Risk: Real M&A
Nestle SA’s biggest acquisition in China is giving traders a chance to reap a 23 percent profit without the risk of losing any money on the deal. Nestle agreed to buy 60 percent of Hsu Fu Chi International Ltd, the Dongguan, Guangdong-based candy maker, for S$2.07 billion ($1.7 billion) in July
· Mpact up, swings to profit
· Fruit, vegetable sector ‘could yield many more jobs’
· Two major newcomers plan to spice up SA's FMCG food market
· Pioneer Foods has ambitious plans for biscuit market
· Global food prices near 3-year highs
· Vehicle sales expected to slow
International News
India courting Africa
India said on Tuesday it expects to reach a preferential trading deal with the Southern African Customs Union by the end of the year as it seeks to expand its economic footprint on the African continent. India's trade minister also said New Delhi will be pursuing trade deals with other African nations as the country seeks to catch up with China which has outpaced it in trade and investment in the continent over the past decade.
· Bright Food Says It’s Agreed to Buy Majority Stake in Australia’s Manassen
· Starbucks Supplier May Buy Instant Coffee Maker
· Unilever targets emerging markets
· Target Second-Quarter Profit Beats Estimates on Higher Sales, Lower Costs
Brand Activity
Sasko Bakeries Competition
Buy a loaf of Sasko Omega-3, Sasko All-in-One, Sasko Low GI White, or SASKO Low GI Whole Wheat bread in the month of August and you could win a LG 42 inch Plasma TV and home theatre system.
Featured Brands
Sunbites
South Africans have joined the journey towards health and wellness and are looking for a great tasting “better for you” snack. Now there is Sunbites: Bursting with sun ripened wheat harvested in fields flooded with sunshine, these gloriously golden oven baked pretzels are the perfectly twisty, deliciously munchy, scrumptiously crunchy anytime snack.
Aqua King
The Aqua King brand is a registered trademark of the Sodaking Franchise Close Corporation and is represented by both still and sparkling filtered water, as well as a range of five other popular fruit flavours - all deliciously lightly carbonated. The waters are in 1.5L and 500ml sizes
Liquor News
South African Wines reached milestone - 10 local wines achieve perfect score
August 11, saw SAWi celebrating the achievements of South Africa’s top wines with laureates and guests welcomed at Longridge Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. This was indeed an historic occasion, considering the results which is setting a new quality benchmark for South African wines with no less than 10 wines achieving a perfect 100 points.
Eco-friendly OBIKWA sticks its neck out with a new Pinotage
OBIKWA, the adventurous range of cultivar wines known for their sense of fun and exceptional value for money, has released a brand new varietal – a wonderfully fruity Pinotage brimming with blackberries, plums and strawberries.
Featured Retail Services
Trade Link Retail Systems
Trade Link Retail Systems is a leading South African Retail IT Solutions Company, focusing primarily on the retail Fast Moving Consumer Goods (“FMCG”) markets in RSA and Africa.
Sainsbury Design
Established in 1975, our successful record can be attributed to a unique combination of personal interaction and fresh creativity. We are a Through-the-line Agency with specialist knowledge in Packaging Design.
Retail Services News
Food Bites : Prepared Custard
Prepared custard is a ready-made dessert product, manufactured for immediate consumption by consumers. The category is traditionally sold in a foil lined carton and is UHT processed to guarantee longer shelf life. Some players also market a bottled variety, resembling the historical milk bottle pack format.
Product of the Year closing date extended
Entries have been extended until 16th September 2011 due to unprecedented interest in the process. Product of the Year has received unprecedented interest in its latest round of research. The organization is the largest in the world dedicated to recognizing and rewarding innovation in consumer products.
Value- adding service by Sachet Manufacturers
Sachet Manufacturers has branched out into the niche market of providing a customised and flexible logistics solution to both importers and exporters. As a growing business, we understand the need for organisations to focus on their core functions; hence we have reengineered our processes to offer this value-adding service
Food Bites : Pasta
The BMI categorisation of the South African pasta market comprises dry pasta and pasta meal kits. The latter is marketed with a sauce or flavourant added, where this is usually an additional sachet included in the pasta pack. Instant noodles are incorporated with pasta-meal kits. Fresh pasta is excluded from the study.
Five simple steps to getting started with mobile marketing
Are you thinking about mobile marketing? Wondering how you can use mobile marketing to connect with customers? The good news is that mobile marketing is not all that complex. Here are five things you can do to get started in mobile marketing.
FMCG Jobs
Graduate positions available at Oceana Group from January 2012
The Oceana Group was incorporated in 1918 and is listed on the JSE. The Group is involved in the fishing and allied services sector and engages in the catching, processing and procurement of marine species. The group has job opportunities for graduates from January 2012.
Financial Executive (For a leading FMCG company’s international division)
My client, one of SA's leading FMCG companies, is looking to appoint a Financial Executive for their international division. You will be responsible for managing and consolidating results from a number of operations based in Africa and will be appointed as a board member for some of these companies.
Trade Channel Planner
We have an exciting opportunity for an innovative, proactive individual that has a passion for Trade and Shopper Marketing. We need a highly motivated, self directed, strategically minded individual with strong business acumen and a proven track record in Trade Marketing.
Strategy Recruitment Marketing
Strategy Recruitment Marketing is focused on providing tailor-made, alternative recruitment solutions that are based on out-the-box strategic and creative thinking, detailed processes, and keeping abreast of the latest recruitment practices and technology through understanding each client´s critical success factors, to produce impactful results cost-effectively.
Talented Selections
Talented Selections is committed to identifying highly talented, exceptional individuals who have built solid careers at a middle and senior management level and like us are passionate about what they do. Talented Selections was established in 1998 and offers a customised recruitment solution to the FMCG industry.
Zakhele Staffing Solutions
Zakhele Staffing Solutions believes in developing and maintaining Long-Term relationships with Candidates and Clients. Our objective is to introduce exceptional Human Capital to enhance the productivity of the company as well as the opportunities for individuals.
Nicolene Di Bartolo
Leadership is action... not position! Business Leaders engage our services to identify individuals who will elevate their organisations to new heights. It is our mission to source exceptional talent in mid-to executive management levels across all job categories. We support these extraordinary individuals in furthering their careers
Events
Driving Efficiency in Retail
With just under a month to go, the first Retail Technology Forum for Africa (12-13 September at the Vineyard Hotel, Cape Town) will host the best retail brands in the business alongside a range of leading local and international suppliers of retail IT solutions. Spanning the length and breadth of sub-Saharan Africa, and clocking up nearly 10,000 retail outlets between them, confirmed retailing groups represent the entire retail sector, covering convenience & petroleum, clothing & footwear, grocery, electrical & homeware, building materials & textiles, financials, pharmacy & beauty. The impressive list of retailers and vendors cements the event as a key feature in the African retail market’s calendar.
Food Safety Conference: 21 - 24 November 2011
With recent amendments and changes in legislation ( The Consumer Protection Act 2008, Food Labeling and Advertising Regulations) as well as consumers becoming more aware of their rights, no food manufacturer or producer can afford to miss IIR’s Food Safety Conference.
2011 Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction Wines announced
Exceptional wines with a creative edge and great diversity of styles is the hallmark of the 2011 selection of exclusive wines that will go under the hammer at the 27th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction at Spier outside Stellenbosch on Saturday, 1 October.
CGCSA to Host Annual Conference
This year’s conference promises to bring together over 500 delegates from industry experts and thought leaders to top government officials, this year’s conference will raise the bar and play a leading role in providing insight into the industry trends and outlook. Mr. Mncane Mthunzi, CGCSA CEO, said: “The 2010 conference was a huge success and we are extremely excited by the caliber and quality of speakers that we have been able to secure for the 2011 conference including top international speakers”.
Global Sources China Sourcing Fairs
Cater to more customers with a wide variety of products from China.

· Global Sources, Baby & Children's Products China Sourcing Fair
· Global Sources, Hardware & Building Materials China Sourcing Fair
· Global Sources, Garments and Textiles China Sourcing Fair
· Global Sources, Gifts & Premiums China Sourcing Fair
· Global Sources, Home Products China Sourcing Fair
· Global Sources, Solar & Energy Saving Products China Sourcing Fair
· Global Sources, Electronics China Sourcing Sourcing Fair
· Global Sources, Fashion Accessories China Sourcing Fair
InneSense Cellar2Cellar Trail Run & Wine Experience
Lace up those trainers and join the colourful parade of wine lovers with a sense of adventure off the beaten track amongst the vineyards for the 2nd Innesense Cellar2Cellar Trail Run & Wine Experience in the picturesque Paradyskloof outside Stellenbosch on Saturday, 17 September 2011.
Be prepared for the fifth Limpopo Wine Show
Polokwane wine enthusiasts and show-goers should plan for the annual Old Mutual Limpopo Wine Show. Taking place at the Meropa Casino & Entertainment World for the fifth time on 29 and 30 July, the festival is also a good reason for Gautengers to “make a weekend of it”. Offering a great number of delicious wines for tasting and purchase, Cape winemakers and producer representatives from 50 exhibitors look forward to sharing their wines and within the relaxed and fun atmosphere of the Meropa facilities.
Salt & wine pairing dinner with oriental flair in Die Bergkelder
The latest in a series of salt and wine pairing dinners held in Die Bergkelder on the last Thursday of every month offers guests a range of oriental dishes from sushi to lemongrass ice cream, all showcasing the versatility of Fleur du Cap’s elegant Unfiltered wines.
SAAFoST one-day labelling workshop at the Durban University of Technology
Good news for KZN Members is that the SAAFoST Labelling and Advertising of Food Workshop is going to be repeated in Durban.
Soweto Wine Festival hits the mark with Tops
South Africa’s first and biggest township-based wine festival, the successful 2011 Soweto Wine Festival, has signed up a 3-year headline sponsorship with South Africa’s largest liquor retail outlet, Tops at SPAR, adding serious punch to the growth of the festival.
 
To advertise:
Cape Town
Vivienne Ayerst

Tel: or
Johannesburg
Tina Baney

Tel: or
Email:
For editorial:
Wendy Smith

Tel:
Email: