Innovative payment solutions are shaping SA’s retail sector
Today's consumers have access to a myriad of convenient experiences through mobile apps and online platforms, and they expect a similar level of ease when interacting with businesses and specifically payment interactions. Indeed, consumer demand for better and more...
It’s time to cut through the metaverse hype
Industry reports show that almost 80% of South Africans could see themselves interacting with a brand in the metaverse in the future. While commercial applications are still in their infancy, the metaverse is set to transform how retailers and brands interact with...
Leveraging customer touchpoints is crucial for retailers
It's hardly accurate to say the world has achieved a state of normality post-pandemic - one only has to read the news to understand that we are in turbulent and changing times. But then again, during the pandemic there was a lot of talk about the "new normal",...
South Africa moves closer to frictionless payments
E-commerce shoppers have been promised a frictionless checkout for years, but new moves by the card schemes will take South African consumers a step closer. Soon, local merchants will be able to offer online shoppers a faster checkout experience giving them a seamless...
Unifying channels helps retailers tap into growth opportunities
As online retail growth pushes into double-digit territory, companies that are holding onto a purely face-to-face business model will lose out. Companies under pressure to deliver the revenue growth their investors are looking for shouldn't just be focusing on adding...
Retailers must invest in customer satisfaction
Online retail in South Africa has hit a major milestone, eclipsing R50-billion in annual sales during 2022. Research from World Wide Worx records a 40% increase in the total number of South Africans shopping online since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. Yet many...
Digital payments could boost FMCG industry
The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector contributes R1 trillion to South Africa's annual gross domestic product (roughly 20% of economic production) and employs 2,5-million people (or 16% of the country's total formal labour force). From a continental...
The impact of blockchain technology on the retail sector
During its formative years, blockchain technology became synonymous with the advent of cryptocurrency. Today, its use cases have transcended the world of finance, expanding into sectors such as retail. In Africa, its application in payment technology has demonstrated...
How SA retailers can future-proof their businesses
As motivational speaker Garrison Wynn nce said: "Action and adaptability create opportunity". For local retailers, there is an opportunity to future-proof by taking action on initiatives that maintain and drive customer loyalty. But they must be adaptable as they...
Smart and intelligent: payments redefined
The global fintech market is currently expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20% over the next few years, achieving an impressive $305-billion by 2025. The Global Fintech Market Report also pointed out that low-cost, personalised, and intelligent...
Retailers must accommodate consumers who use cash
With recent research showing that only 14% of South African consumers are ready to go completely cashless, retailers should be looking at ways to accommodate their customers' preferred way to pay, while also reducing their operating costs. Leading retailers are...
Embrace UCX to improve customer engagement, raise brand awareness
Modern consumers have become accustomed to communicating with brands over their preferred communication channels, whether this is chat, voice or other virtual experiences, meaning that offering a unified customer experience (UCX) is key for businesses to build...