Key trends impacting the FMCG sector
It’s clear that the Coronavirus has changed the landscape for FMCGs – in some ways permanently. However, despite its similarities, the impact has not been the same across its subsectors and through the supply chain. Itumeleng Merafe, head of interest rate structuring...
On the front line of retail
Retailers have become under enormous pressure to operate as close to normal as possible, enabling people to buy food and essentials. By Jarek Matschey, director: retail at VMware EMEA IT can really help diffuse this pressure, to safeguard operations and business...
As businesses re-open, no-touch payment needed
As businesses reopen during level 4 lockdown in South Africa, there's increased demand for contactless (no-touch or remote) payment options. Many businesses are being forced to transform the ways they operate to online; therefore, new payment methods are needed for...
Achieving cyber resilience in retail
In a dynamic, connected environment where sensitive customer data is highly attractive to hackers and forms the lifeblood of the business, facing a cyber-attack is no longer a case of "if", but "when". Of greater concern is how to minimise the impact on their business...
Smartbox transforms customer experiences with Nutanix
Smartbox Group, a leading European retailer of gift experiences, has expanded its relationship with NUtanix to support its digital modernisation project. Smartbox leverages Nutanix software to modernize its IT infrastructure, streamline operations, and reduce costs in...
Machine learning can help retailers keep shelves stocked
The recent Covid-19-fuelled rush on retailers in South Africa, as consumers start stockpiling grocery staples, is leaving many shelves empty. Some have recently announced that they will be "enforcing customer limits on shoppers". Morne Laubscher, chief technology...
Merchandising automation tools for better control
Merchandisers will typically represent a specific product category at a certain store and will have a set flow that they follow based on the brand priority of their organisation. By Andrew Dawson, commercial director at MACmobile This includes checking aisles to make...
Software: retail’s powerful ally
Retailers face an uphill battle, particularly as consumer spending is slowing and putting pressure onto their already-thin margins. In the face of this, digital transformation enthusiasts have made many claims about how technology can change retail's fortunes. But...
Choose the right partner for your retail technology journey
Although the local economy is creating a tough operating environment for South African retailers, technology is providing near infinite opportunities for savvy retailers to drive sales and bottom line growth. By Gareth Hawkey, CEO redPanda Group From seamless online...
Put the store at the centre of customer experience
Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company , has announced the next milestone for its SD-Branch solution that enables more secure, streamlined and simplified deployment and management of large distributed retail networks. A critical component of the company's...
2020 will see symbiotic relationships between shopper and technology
Consumer demands for a frictionless, personalised experience which caters for their lifestyle needs are set to drive online retail trends in 2020. The result is a focus on creating a customised experience that supports and enhances shopping in the virtual environment,...
Black Friday 2019 was anything but black
As an organisation that focuses on the digital payments journey, using technology and innovation to enhance the overall customer experience, Transaction Junction relishes the huge retail trading period that starts with Black Friday and ends with Christmas. A maturing...