Consumers’ expectations are changing
Covid-19 has given a whole new meaning to the customer experience. As soon as news hit of the initial 21-day lockdown period that began 27 March, customers went into overdrive with crowds gathering at retailers to stockpile supplies. Since then, buying patterns have...
Preparing for the new world of online retail
South Africa's small but aspirational e-commerce sector has been ushered into sharp focus as a result of the entirely unexpected shock of Covid-19 and the resulting national lockdown. By Gareth Hawkey, group CEO of redPanda Software As consumers have turned to online...
Why retail credit is so important for the SA market
On 1 June 2020, South Africa moved to level three lockdown allowing more businesses to operate, essentially opening up the economy. By Jaco van Jaarsveldt, client decision analytics officer at Experian South Africa However, the Covid-19 crisis and lockdown in South...
Dis-Chem pharmacies use tech to enhance delivery
Dis-Chem has partnered with Picup to enhance its last mile delivery across more channels within the Group. The pharmaceutical giant is now using Picup's innovative technology and crowdsource driver network to optimise its deliveries. At the beginning of the lockdown,...
Dimension Data, OLR form strategic partnership
Dimension Data has announced a strategic and exclusive partnership with OLR that brings a collective range of services to the retail sector in South Africa. Dimension Data has established a specialised Retail Practice within Britehouse, to bring strategic focus to the...
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...