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Is it time to up your brand's digital awareness?

Oct 19th 2011, 08:16

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October
 2011
Is it time to up your brand's digital awareness?

It’s estimated that all South Africans will have a smart phone within the next three years. While this estimation may be a little ambitious, South African retailers and brands certainly need to look at how they can embrace digital as mobile devices increasingly dominate the lives of consumers.

Internationally, brands are becoming more “digitally aware” by investing more in digital advertising, particularly on mobile devices. It’s estimated that “brands around the world are set to spend $13.3 billion on advertising placed on mobile phones in 2011” (Mobile gadgets ad sales to hit $3.3bn). While it’s unlikely that local advertising spend on mobile devices will match this, if international brands are investing in mobile phone advertising, so should we.

Mobile phones, in particular smart phones, have brought about new developments in which the local industry can invest, one being QR-Codes. Although this can only be effective is the majority of a target market uses a smart phone, it nonetheless provides a number of opportunities to use QR-Codes to add real value to consumers’ lives. For example, a clothing retailer might place QR Codes on the washing instruction labels of its private label brand, which provides the consumer with more detailed washing instructions about the garment. This tool could include other useful features, such as, informing the consumer of other apparel in the retailer’s private label brand, that compliment the initial item purchased.

The possibilities with smart phones and related technology seem endless for those who like to think out the box. While we’re a little skeptical that all South Africans will have a smart phone within the next three years, the face of retail will change drastically, when it does. Having said this, it’s wise for the local industry to become more digitally aware and invest in this technology now, so that they can receive the maximum benefits when the “smart phone boom” is in full force.

Please feel free to make comments or raise new issues by emailing the editor
        
Zetes Announces Premier Partnership with Motorola Solutions in South Africa
Zetes (formerly ProScan), has announced its new premier partner status with Motorola Solutions in South Africa, following the recent acquisition of the ProScan Group by Zetes Industries, a leading pan-European company specialising in automatic identification solutions and services for goods and people.

According to Andrew Fosbrook, Managing Director of Zetes (formerly ProScan), the company already has a large Motorola Solutions’ user base in Southern Africa. “Following the acquisition, we are now one of two of Motorola’s Tier 1 premier partners in South Africa. Our parent company was named Motorola’s Partner of the year in 2010, which underlines the successful collaboration between the two organisations, and we look forward to building upon this partnership in future local projects as has been achieved internationally.” Read more
Reports
Analysis: The promise and problems of radio-frequency identification
Mobile gadgets ad sales to hit $3.3bn
The faster a trader reacts to news & events determines how well they perform
Analysis: Procuring digital media services poses pitfalls for the unwary
RETAILER NEWS
Woolworths heads to Nigeria
High-end South African supermarket chain Woolworths Holdings [JSE:WHL] is to open three stores in Nigeria in December, its first foray into Africa’s most populous nation as it counters a move into the poorest continent by the world’s biggest retailer, Walmart.

· Woolworths berated for chairman choice
· Woolworths recalls faulty plugs
· Massmart creates level playing field for suppliers
· Massmart and the SABS boost SMME competitiveness
· Massmart tones down argument 		· Massmart ramps up expansion drive
· Union presses Walmart to up supply fund
· SA firm aims to up supplies to Walmart
· DA: Walmart case undermines competition -
· Verimark earnings slip with pinch
· Mweb store opens at Eastgate
· Foschini buys luxury brand Fabiani
· Retailer The Crazy Store plans African expansion
· New retail players to raise competition at V&A
· Builders Warehouse, the leaders in home improvement, enters Botswana, opening its first store outside South Africa
· Retailers eye Africa for growth
· Holdsport delivers strong half-year
ECONOMIC NEWS
Clothing deal bears fruit as firm adds workers
Cape Town clothing manufacturer to increase its workforce by 25% — the first significant employment growth in any metropolitan area in years.
· Sarb suggests rate cut not ruled out
· Trade conditions under pressure
· Local firms ‘can harness African gains’
· SA banks feel chill of global uncertainty
· Marcus: Inflation, low growth cloud outlook
· High tariffs stifle Turkey-SA trade — Motlanthe
· Turkey spreads its wings into Africa
· Trade data point to life in economy
· SA economy to grow 3.1% in 2011, rates on hold to fourth quarter 2012
· SA shed 395 000 jobs in 2010
· SA, China shake hands on $2.5bn deals
· Africa moves good news for small firms
· Retail trade eased slightly to an increase of 1.3%
· Inflation targeting ‘going well by global standards’
SUPPLIER NEWS
SA counterfeit industry worth R362bn
The South African counterfeit industry is estimated at approximately R362 billion and is viewed as one of the world's fastest growing industries, with seizures of fake goods up 46% annually according to a counterfeiting expert at attorneys Adams & Adams.
· Surge in factory output not seen as turnaround
· 'Manufacturing improvement not yet on the cards
· Counterfeit jerseys steal jobs
· Sony recalls 1,6-million risky TVs
· Adcorp rises on demand for skills
· Cite consumer act, BlackBerry owners told
· Sappi share surge after news of job cuts
· Oracle looks to cloud for growth
· What happens to Apple after Jobs?
· Eastman Kodak Rises After Saying It Doesn’t Plan on Bankruptcy Filing
· More companies revamp corporate identities
· New outlets set to boost revenue at William Tell
· Samsung fights ban on sales of tablet
· New Apple iPhone fails to wow investors, fans
· Reebok to pay $25m for toning shoe claims
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Bangladesh set to become centre for apparel production
Bangladesh is set to overtake China as a major apparel producer by 2016 as sourcing costs in the leading Asian economy sky rocket. According to a report on www.fibre2fashion.com, buyers are sourcing from Bangladesh to take advantage of lower labour costs, enhanced skills in its workforce, better infrastructure facilities and lower customs duties.
· Apple beats Coca-Cola to become ‘most valuable global brand’
· Global uncertainty hits wool prices
· UK’s Marks & Spencer returns to France
·
· Fashion retailer H&M’s profit hit less than feared
· New standards and tools to galvanise carbon tracing
· US Retail Sales Likely Rose in September
· Carbon performance a growing factor in supplier selection, say half of UK multinationals
· China's manufacturing slows as US, Europe stall
· Value of green supply chain 'highly overrated'
· FDA calls for urgent attention on supply chain security
FEATURED RETAIL SERVICES
Digipos Store Solutions
DigiPoS Store Solutions is the first choice for many retailers across the globe. Operating across 16 divisions, DigiPoS delivers innovative technology to retailers and point of service businesses.
Connecting with the public
121 Outsource will soon start a pilot project to gauge the use of communications via social media platforms.
Time Link Cargo featured in leading logistics magazine
Time Link Cargo and Scania South Africa are proud to be featured as the only company in the Scania International’s V8 Legend magazine. This is the first time that a South African-based company has been featured in this publication.
RETAIL SERVICES ACTIVITY
Primedia Instore is giving back to the community
As a responsible corporate citizen, Primedia Instore strives to ensure that it is playing its part in creating measurable and sustainable improvement to the surrounding communities in which the company operates, by committing itself to numerous corporate social initiative (CSI) projects.
· Imperial Logistics and GIBS launch Programme of Excellence
· Imperial Logistics awarded two PMR Diamond Arrows
· Acquisition by Imperial of 100% of the issued shares of Lehnkering Holding GmbH ("Lehnkering or the Company") and withdrawal of cautionary
RECRUITMENT AGENCIES
Nicolene Di Bartolo
It is our mission to source exceptional talent in mid-to executive management levels across all job categories.
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.
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.
JOBS
Accountant - Cash Van Operation – Gauteng
 Talented Selections
This junior level role would ideally suit a Junior Accountant with 2 years experience ideally within an operational environment.
Financial Manager, Nigeria
Nicolene DI Bartelo
The Financial Manager will strive for the creation and enhancement of shareholder value through the development and execution of business strategy, and financial stewardship of company assets.
 
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