Marketing & Selling

Retail discounters show double-digit growth while e-commerce continues its surge. Our new grocery retail data reveals key shifts in South Africa’s FMCG retail landscape, with discounter and e-commerce formats outperforming other channels in 2024. Despite easing inflation, South African shoppers remain under economic pressure, leading to changing missions, increased cross-channel behaviour and format diversification among major retailers.

We live in a time when information is everywhere. Consumers are savvy and seek information and reviews about products and brands to make informed purchasing decisions. Consumers no longer want to be convinced; they want to be informed.

Online shopping may be convenient, but there are pitfalls for the unwary consumer. This is especially true when transacting with online platforms that host third-party suppliers, commonly referred to as a ‘marketplace’. Fortunately, the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA) provides some protection against poor online trading practices. This protection is important for buyers.

In today’s hyper-digital world, content is everywhere. Brands are producing more than ever before – videos, blogs, reels, emails, podcasts, you name it. Yet the question we need to be asking is: is any of it working? This is a question people ask often. The answer? Not always.

South Africa has been crowned the friendliest country in the world in a recent global study by international money transfer service Remitly. Now isn’t that some incredibly positive news that we can all do with! While this news has been met with both celebration and scepticism, it raises a powerful question: What does this kind of international recognition mean for South Africa’s reputation?

In certain quarters, art has become an increasingly attractive alternative investment as part of a diversified portfolio. One of its biggest advantages is that, at the very least, it tends to hold its value. Over time, it can also increase in value. In the meantime, buyers get to enjoy their acquisitions.

Public Relations (PR) is more crucial than ever in the age of Generative AI (GenAI) and Large Language Models (LLMs). AI-driven search engines no longer just scan social media or reviews - they prioritise authoritative, editorial content. This shift is redefining online reputation and elevating PR’s role in shaping brand credibility.

Many once assumed that Africa would remain on the fringes of the global music economy. The continent would export talent but never truly command its own industry. However, that notion was firmly silenced recently.

Everyone understands that, in order for a retailer to be competitive, it must invest in the best technology to remove friction for customers and employees. Retailers must also provide the agility and capability to take advantage of big events such as Black Friday, improve operational efficiencies, and build long-term customer loyalty. However, many retailers have discovered that a technology solution decision is far more complex than it would seem. Therefore, instead of simply adopting new technologies, they should be investing in self-enablement.

I remember when social media first appeared in my life. I was 14, and a friend introduced me to this thing called Facebook. At the time, I was more consumed with playing The Sims on our desktop, making careful selections at Musica to purchase a single CD with my favourite songs, and using Encarta CDs for assignments.