Having trouble viewing this newsletter on your email? Click here to read it on our website.

Annual retail report reveals most customer centric retailers in SA With economic conditions in South Africa likely to remain weak, the apparel retail industry growth forecast for 2018 is muted. In addition, the entrance of international brands has added further challenge for local incumbents. Against this backdrop, a recent dunnhumby Customer-Centricity Index (CCI) survey focusing on apparel retailers once again underscores the importance of putting customers at the centre of your business. More than ever, the retailers that understand their customers’ needs best and how to service them are the ones that will remain successful. Click here to continue reading LATEST REPORTS Red meat sales plummet amid 'listeria hysteria' Data shows brands are experiencing a crisis of trust, says Forrester New realities in consumer behaviour – Moving beyond the trust dilemma Shopping centre sales heading for growth

Cadbury Dairy Milk launches special limited-edition Peter Rabbit™ Milk Chocolate Egg Cadbury Dairy Milk is egg-cited to announce the launch of a special limited-edition Peter Rabbit™ Milk Chocolate Egg with delicious Astros inside. This mouth-watering egg is sure to delight consumers this Easter.

RETAILER  ECONOMIC Market cheers Massmart profit rise as online sales shine Retailer Massmart Holdings posted a rise in annual profit, on the back of operational cut costs and solid growth in its online division. Resurgent retailers sprint into Top 40 Retail stocks are once again making their presence felt on the JSE, having gained substantially on the momentum created by Cyril Ramaphosa’s ascent to the presidency. Shoprite and France’s Carrefour go toe-to-toe in Kenya Kenya is turning into an interesting battleground between South African grocery chain Shoprite and French rival Carrefour. Higher growth projected for SA economy With an improved economic outlook, South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to come in at 1% in 2018, up from the 0.7% projected last year, said Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba. Ackermans shares its secrets to sustainability Local retailers have been under severe pressure these past couple of years, and 2018 promises no respite. Drought knocks potato‚ onion and fruit production Research conducted into the economic impact of the drought on agriculture has revealed that the sector will take a higher than anticipated economic knock‚ says... Tiger Brands counts over R300 million in losses after listeria outbreak JSE-listed consumer brands group Tiger Brands has told shareholders that the costs associated with the recall of products linked to the listeriosis outbreak will reach between R337 million and R377 million rand – with millions of rands in monthly losses also needing to be factored in. Franchising sector ready to lend a hand The SONA speech by President Cyril Ramaphosa and his commitment to supporting small business and entrepreneurship has been welcomed by Tony Da Fonseca, the Franchise Association of South Africa’s Chairman, who in 2017 had already met with the chairperson of the... Pharmacy ATM launches in SA Homechoice to step up its digital sales platform Queenspark doubles operating profit as new... Maize harvest forecast to drop 27% in 2018 Retail sales volumes highest in six years Factory output surges on higher consumption of food and... READ MORE RETAILER NEWS READ MORE ECONOMIC NEWS  MARKETING & BUSINESS  INTERNATIONAL How personalisation brings to life exclusive eCommerce services The e-commerce industry is highly competitive since the target audience daily, if not hourly, receives multiple offers for business and has plentiful options of services and solutions. Nordstrom rated top fashion retailer Nordstrom was the favourite premium fashion retailer among 10,000 shoppers, according to an annual fashion retail study conducted by Market Force. New realities in consumer behaviour – Moving beyond the trust dilemma Terry Peigh, Senior Vice President of IPG recently presented the latest research wave of IPG’s ‘New Realities’ Global Consumer Survey ... Amazon to open six more cashierless stores Amazon plans to open as many as six more cashierless stores this year, according to a new report. AI set to revolutionise consumer and retail sectors Almost a third (32%) of consumers surveyed globally by PwC plan to buy an AI device including robots or automated assistants, with retailers watching closely as ‘voice commerce’ develops in the home. Sainsbury’s becomes highest paying grocer Sainsbury’s has announced a 15 percent pay rise for its store staff, raising the base rate of pay from £8.00 to £9.20 per hour. How packaging design can impact In-store promotion Marketing professionals, from brand managers to chief marketing officers, are being challenged by retailers... Claire's Accessories to file for bankruptcy US-based accessory retailer Claire's is reportedly on the verge of collapse as it prepares to file for bankruptcy. Driving customer loyalty in e-commerce Why product data is key to superior customer experience Four principles for reaching the global consumer 90's fashion is back and so are the flashy logos Walmart unveils e-commerce brand for bedroom Burberry appoints Riccardo Tisci as new chief creative officer READ MORE MARKETING & BUSINESS NEWS READ MORE INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Laager announces the perfect pair partnership Leading tea brand Laager Rooibos has announced its exclusive celebrity agreement with Lebo and Tebo Ndala from food blog withlovefromthetwins.

Packaging: multiple purposes, one platform Modern-day packaging plays many roles, from containing and preserving products to informing customers about contents, ingredients, dosage instructions and so forth. It is also a valuable platform for brand communication, where product owners and marketers can display their brand identities, explain product benefits and inspire customers to buy their goods. Balance your production flow In the industry of fast moving consumer goods, it is important to have a balanced production flow as well as high-speed production. The focus is always on the number of products a factory produces per minute. A factory often has several machines that run independently of each other at different speeds, and consequently, those machines need different production flows. Continuous performance: continuous inkjet coders Does your business rely on technologies that offer reliability, speed, and flexibility? When it comes to your printing, coding and marking requirements, continuous inkjet (CIJ) technology is an ideal choice.

Chicken & Chickpea Curry A simple curry with the benefit of very little fat and fibre-rich chickpeas. Giant Hot Cross Bun All the flavours of Easter, baked in one big skillet!

McCain Do Good Be Good Program benefiting local Gauteng communities Be Good, Do Good is at the heart of everything that McCain South Africa does. This led to the launch of their food donation programme in April 2017. Since then McCain Food South Africa has made it their mission to spread joy and happiness to those who need it most through food. Shoprite gives hundreds of suppliers access to market The Shoprite Group is giving entrepreneurs and SMMEs (Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises) access to economic opportunities by providing hundreds of suppliers with access to market.

South African Cheese Festival 2018 The award-winning SA Cheese Festival, the biggest outdoor culinary event in Africa, takes place over three days from Friday, 27 April (Freedom Day) to Sunday, 29 April 2018 at Sandringham, home of the SA Cheese Festival. 27 April 2018 – 29 April 2018 Sandringham, Cape Town Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit 2018 An unparalleled opportunity to network with CEOs from some of the world’s most successful companies and gain key insights into the challenges... 12 June 2018 - 15 June 2018 Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Food Ingredients, Natural Ingredients Europe Uniquely focused on ingredient packaging and processing solutions for the f&b industry. 28 November 2018 - 30 November 2018 Messe Frankfurt, German

Nicolene Di Bartolo Nicolene Di Bartolo develops and delivers strategic recruitment solutions that are innovative, robust and effective. Our executive search and management appointment services are trusted by leading employers, both locally and internationally. Strategy Recruitment Marketing Strategy Recruitment Marketing, tailor-made alternative recruitment solutions, the latest recruitment practices and technology, cost-effective impactful results. Having trouble viewing this newsletter on your email? Click here to read it on our website.

FASTMOVING is a Silo company that provides a business-to-business online service, showcasing the latest trends in retail and consumer brands in South Africa and Africa. We reach both local and international Retail Buyers, Store Managers, Liquor Outlets, Manufacturers, Distributors, and Brand and Marketing Managers with news and information about Products and Services available to the South African Retail Industry. Our media offering Company press offices - Weekly FMCG newsletter - Monthly liquor newsletter - Press Releases - Banner advertising - Social media integration Editorial and Advertising Editor : Jessi Wesson Tel: +27 (0)21 410 8129 | Email: editor@fastmoving.co.za

Silo is South Africa's leading source of rich brand content and retail promotional intelligence. Silo provides a digital asset management solution to brands, retailers and brand content users.