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Building a better future in retail

Feb 2nd 2012, 08:32

02 February 2012

Building a better future in retail


I was fortunate enough to attend the National Retail Federation show in New York in January and what an experience it was. The scale of the US retail sector is simply jaw dropping and watching 26 000 delegates register for the event is a graphic representation of that. Just over 21 million people are employed by retailers in the US and for that reason alone the industry enjoys a great deal of attention from key figures in the US economy. An economic environment where retailers prosper is an economy where jobs are created very quickly, in a South African context the mechanics may differ but the principal remains.

In South Africa, government plays a larger role in stimulating retail than one might expect, although inadvertently. Government grants have a direct impact on sales of low-end food items and I have no doubt that increases in government grants in recent years has made a significant impact on the bottom line of retailers such as, Shoprite. Investing in this segment of the market makes sense as the number of grant recipients is expected to grow from 14.9 million to 16.7 million by 2014. A very large portion of those grants will inevitably be spent on food, so while the state and tax payers will feel the burden, well positioned retailers will find reward.

Gainful employment and the prospect of a better future are fundamental to the quest for human dignity and in a society as fractured as ours we need more citizens with a feeling of self worth. Jobs are not just an economic imperative but a social one as well so employment is critical. A growing business employs people and a growing industry employs more people, so let’s all work towards making 2012 a year of growth to improve the lives of many.

Craig Ballantyne

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Retailer News
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· SA firms improve position
· Local Clothing sector boosted by TFG acquisition of fashion manufacturer
· Shortage of products hits Pick n Pay in Swaziland
· Steinhoff to take over JD Group
· Cashbuild Q2 revenue up 9%
Economic News
Agribusiness chamber sees price relief ahead
Expected higher agricultural product prices this season could bring about some relief for food producers, the Agriculture Business Chamber said last week.
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Pacmar's first 100% "made from concentrate" fruit juice range
Wilde 100% Fruit Juice is the first 100% “made from concentrate” fruit juice range to be produced under the Pacmar brands and was introduced as an extension to their existing Wilde 100% Pure Pressed Fruit Juice rang.
International News
Retailers of two minds on use of digital tech
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· Cotton price and labour costs weigh on H&M's profitability
· Carrefour’s New CEO May Be Drawn Into Price War to Lift Hypermarket Sales
· Walmart Breaks Tradition by Changing Role of Its Greeters
· Charming Shoppes shakes up supply chain leadership
· UK converter creates innovative labels for British retailer
· J.C. Penney to Change Prices Amid Revamp
· US consumer spending fizzles
· Supply chains under scrutiny after record product recalls in UK
· Pharmapack Europe responds to new challenges in the healthcare industry
Brand Activity
Twinsaver starts 2012 with 2 big wins in the tissue category for Product of the Year
Brands form a very large part of our everyday lives, and being recognised as a leader within your category and field in South Africa’s Product of the Year, is a remarkable achievement.
Featured Brands
Catmor
Catmor Wet Cat Food is a nutritionally complete wet food that can be used on its own or to compliment all dry food diets and represents best value versus its competitor set.
Bobtail
Bobtail was launched in 1985 and represents great value for people seeking quality nutrition at an affordable price.
Liquor News
Celebrate St. Paddies Day with Durbanville Hills
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In the lead-up to the season of love, Amarula asked its Facebook fans to tell them what they thought of the brand, affectionately called the Spirit of Africa.
Featured Retail Services
Product of the Year
Product of the Year is the world’s largest consumer-voted award for product innovation. Established 25 years ago in France, POY currently operates in 28 countries with the same purpose: It guides consumers to the best products in their market and rewards manufacturers for quality and innovation.
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Retail Capital has introduced an innovative new product, called a business cash advance, specifically for South African business owners of small to medium companies.
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FMCG Jobs
Job vacancies at The Clicks Group
The Clicks Group has the following job vacancies on offer. Read more about Clicks in our retailer profiles

· Senior Category Manager – Homewares
· Senior Category Manager – Haircare
· Senior Category Manager – Fragrance
· Senior Category Manager – Facial Skincare
· Portfolio Manager – NPD Buyer and Special Occasions
· Key Accounts Manager
· Category Manager – Accessories
· Category Buyer – Fragrance
· Category Buyer – Facial Skincare
· Category Buyer – Baby
Job vacancies at ACDOCO SA, an FMCG supplier company
· Brand manager – Schwarzkopf (Retail)
· Regional Sales Manager – Western & Eastern Cape
Job vacancies from Nicolene Di Bartolo recruitment
· Group Regional Sales Manager (Gauteng / KZN)
· Managing Director: Commodities
Recruitement Services
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.
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
 

Cards & Payments Solutions - even bigger and better for 2012
When: 13 – 14 March 2012
Venue: Earls Court, South Hall, London
Retail World Africa 2012
When: 12 – 15 March 2012
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Celebrate Wellington's wine bounty
When: 17 – 18 March 2012
Venue: Wellington
Networking expo for the logistics and supply chain management industry
When: 22– 23 March 2012
Venue: Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Johannesburg
SA Cheese Festival promises a symphony for the senses
When: 27 – 30 April 2012
Venue: Sandringham (on the N1 halfway between Cape Town and Paarl)
The South African National Bottled Water Association second industry conference
When: 16 – 18 July 2012
Venue: Gallagher Estate Convention Centre in Midrand, Gauteng
 
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