Digital retail and its relationship with data
With more South Africans shopping online than ever, retailers have had to rethink their digital strategies, especially when it comes to data analysis and optimising the supply chain. By Vishalan Moodley at TechSoft International Consumers can buy just about anything...
How some retailers managed better post-protest recovery
Managing stock availability has always been important but it became more so as ecommerce gained traction due to how we now live and the effect it had on our shopping experience. By Hendrik Bredenkamp, GM of NEC XON Retail But the challenges in managing stock have...
Can SA retail rise from the rubble?
Tens of thousands of jobs lost. More than 100 people dead. Scores of businesses looted, burnt, and damaged, many of which will never reopen. Vital supply chains destroyed. South Africa is reeling from its greatest crisis since the dawn of democracy almost three...
NFC versus QR code payments: there’s room for both
The last year-and-a-half has seen a rapid rise in all forms of contactless payments. For merchants across the globe, enabling these payments as a means to reduce surface contact has been a pandemic trading necessity. However, as time moves on, choosing which payment...
Retail cybersecurity in an evolving threat landscape
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, global online retail sales increased in 2020. By Courtney Radke, chief information security officer: national retail at Fortinet According to statistics, consumers spent $861,12-billion online with US retailers in 2020, a 44%...
POS evolution from counting cash to omnichannel retailing
Point of sale (POS) technology in a modern enterprise solves a myriad of problems, from managing inventory to insights that improve customer experience and retention, as well as a host of other tools to support omnichannel retailing. By Allan Dickson, independent...
Focal areas for retail industry success
The challenges of remote operations and social distancing in the Covid-19 crisis has fast-tracked the need for digital transformation in retail to enhance customer service, and ultimately boost revenue. By Mandy Duncan, Aruba country manager for South Africa With up...
Make every checkout count …
The pandemic has shocked local businesses into action when it comes to transitioning from offline to online. While many have managed to digitise aspects of their business, brick-and-mortar companies are yet to fully realise the customer insight and retention benefits...
Why SA retailers are asking the wrong questions around IT spend
They can get to the right questions; and the right spend, writes Allan Dickson, independent chairman at redPanda Software. “As a retailer, how much should I be spending on IT?” Although retail decision-makers have been asking this question (with high frequency) for...
Digital payment trends to tap into in 2021
2021 will continue to see the digitisation of payments across various industries including retail, professional services and ecommerce. Online payment gateway PayFast saw unprecedented growth in industries which previously had a limited need for digital payments....
Did Black Friday 2020 give us a glimpse into the future of retail?
Traditionally, scenes from global Black Friday sales depict packed stores and long lines of shoppers fighting to secure the best deals. But in 2020, the annual shopping holiday looked a little different. By Nick Durrant, CEO of Bluegrass Digital Online shoppers in the...
Boost your retail business over the festive season
It's been an extraordinarily difficult year for most South African retailers, with sales showing year-on-year declines for five consecutive months up to end-August, according to Stats SA. Many of them are hoping for a bumper festive season to set them back on the path...