Tag: data analytics

In 2025, the retail sector had grown by 4.2% year-on-year. The e-commerce sector is expected to reach R225 billion, reflecting a 150% increase over the past five years. Omnichannel retail capabilities, supported by personalisation, customer data analytics, AI-powered recommendations and automated inventory and storage solutions, help companies gain commercial ground and customer trust in a highly competitive environment.

Our recent research conducted in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region, titled “Cybersecurity in the workplace: Employee knowledge and behaviour”, reveals key insights about AI use in South Africa. The study found that 72.5% of professionals surveyed in the country use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for their work tasks. However, only 30% have received training on the cybersecurity aspects of neural networks.

South Africa is on the brink of one of the most game-changing moves in media measurement in decades. In September, the Broadcast Research Council of South Africa (BRC) announced that it had appointed GfK, an NIQ company, to design and deploy the next-generation Total Video Measurement service.

Should graduates be worried about Artificial Intelligence (AI)? AI is changing what it means to step into the job market. At the same time, it is opening doors for those ready to learn. Graduation is a moment of arrival. It represents the first exciting step into adulthood, independence and the beginning of a career.

Since the South African Revenue Service (SARS) introduced the Crypto Revenue Augmentation Unit, many taxpayers who have traded, invested in or used crypto assets for purchases have received Audit and Request for Relevant Material Notices.

In its drive to meet the ambitious 2025/26 revenue estimate of R1.986 trillion, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has made its expectations clear. Timely, transparent and accurate tax submissions are now the new normal. Central to this approach is the expanded use of third-party data. This applies broadly, including trusts and Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs).

Data is full of hidden clues. If you can find them, you can use them to solve difficult business challenges. Detectives solve mysteries, and business is full of them. For example, you may know who your best channel partners are, but do you know exactly what makes them the best? Can you replicate their success across other partners? Are there early warning signs that a once-loyal partner is drifting away?

Most businesses understand the competitive advantages of investing in a comprehensive data analytics solution. Yet not all of them enjoy a full return on their investment. This is because, once a preferred solution has been implemented, extracting the most value from a business intelligence (BI) tool requires comprehensive user adoption and engagement.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa struggle to secure funding. Traditional banks fail to meet their debt capital needs. Fewer than 15% of SMEs access debt funding from banks, excluding overdraft facilities. Alternative lenders also fall short in meeting SME lending demands. The International Finance Corporation estimates a $30 billion (ZAR 550 billion) funding gap for South African SMEs.

Audience distrust, marketing integration, and AI innovation shape Public Relations' (PR) future. The rise of influencer relations adds to its growing importance. The media and marketing industry has changed rapidly in recent years. PR professionals now integrate more with marketing, content, and data analytics.