Talking Retail Technology

Eat better. Live better.

New Heinz Shredded Chicken

Lion Matches Beware of counterfeits

Ceres Squash The beginning of something special

Old Spice Sets sail for summer

The Alternative Consultancy

In the modern age technology is an integral part of almost every business. In the retail industry where efficiency is critical retailers have been early adopters of technology, many innovations used in other industries have been developed specifically to address problem areas in the retail supply chain. This is a trend that will no doubt continue and while developments in many of the processes of retail - logistics and point of sale – are slowing there is much activity in the “soft” elements such as marketing and customer interaction.

Recently, the Intel Corporation launched its Connected Store concept in New York. Dubbed by some as ‘the future of retail’, it looks to show off the best of current technology and how it could affect retailers and consumers alike.

Using various Intel processors makes it possible for retailers to integrate several services, monitor statistics with ease and offers the luxury of remote manageability. In addition to this, Intel has also unveiled the Intel AIM Suite, a video analytics technology for anonymous audience measurements, this enables retailers to monitor age, gender and length of attention of each customer in the store. If used properly information will revolutionise customer interaction as we know it. Imagine the possibilities for marketing and advertising teams.

Although widespread adoption and implementation may still be a way off, the point is that it’s coming. Retailers need to embrace the change and invest prudently in technology in order to ensure the long term sustainability of their business. The future of retail really is an exciting place for those with an open mind.

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Heinz 2 Minute Noodles New claims on Heinz packaging: No added MSG; No artificial colourants; No tartrazine. read more
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Worldwide, technology has emerged as one of the conspicuous winners in the economic crisis. Against the backdrop of tight consumer spend and vigorous competition, retailers have been compelled to revise their IT budgets and to employ staff more efficiently without jeopardising customer satisfaction.

In a groundbreaking move, Spar (UK) is set to roll out contactless payment technology across its 2 600-strong national store network. Based on the combination of an embedded RFID chip and the normal EMV chip on payment cards, the technology enables shoppers to make purchases of £15 or less by simply waving their card over a reader at the POS. The secure transaction uses the tried and trusted Chip and PIN technology to automatically add the purchase to the customer's credit card bill or debit it from their current account. The roll-out follows a four-store trial in London.

Developed in conjunction with IT partner BCP (Business Computer Projects), the contactless system integrates with the existing till system. Its incorporation into Spar’s POS store solution has been claimed as a first c-store sector feat. Citing the benefits of the contactless technology – faster transaction times, lower transaction fees, reduced training requirement, and a robust audit trail – Spar believes it will also satisfy the customer’s always high priority need for swift supermarket passage.

But Spar is not the only one on the look-out for a good thing. Having finalised its partnership with Barclaycard, UK high-street food retailer the Co-operative Food Stores intends a national roll-out of the revolutionary payment method in time for the 2012 Olympics. The roll-out will follow a pilot across 100 Co-operative food stores, to be initiated next year.

Contactless payment made landfall in the UK in 2007. There are now over nine million contactless enabled cards in circulation.

OBIKWA SA’s Best Value Shiraz at 2010 Global Trader Shiraz Challenge OBIKWA Shiraz 2009 has been hailed South Africa’s Best Value Shiraz at Wine Magazine’s 2010 Global Trader Shiraz Challenge. In addition to clinching the Best Value award in terms of best quality versus price, the OBIKWA Shiraz was awarded a 3-star rating by the judges, outshining countless higher priced wines entered in the competition. read more
Swartland Winery brings people together in a great Spring competition In an exclusive competition with all Pick ‘n Pay stores, Swartland Winery brings people together to enjoy a Braai for four people. Not only do their wines bring people together but the thought of our favourite outdoor pastime brings spring and the promise of long, languid summer days a little closer. read more
Café Culture introduces new convenient pack size Café Culture, the deliciously sociable Pinotage from KWV is set to release an innovative packaging of this ever popular wine. This controversial up-beat wine was launched with the 2007 vintage and has become an icon of socialites alike. read more
Sweet news for Nederburg from France Nederburg has emerged as the top performer in this year’s Muscats du Monde held in Frontignan-la-Peyrade in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France and involving 55 international judges. read more
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International gold for Monis Muscadel Monis, the oldest producer of fortified wines in the country, has been awarded a gold medal for its 2004 Muscadel at the Muscats du Monde held recently in France. This follows the recent platinum award earned at South Africa’s 2010 Muscadel Association Awards achieving gold for both the product itself, as well as its unique packaging. read more

Automating the Check Out

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Café Culture’s new convenient pack size

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Win a Braai Experience with Swartland Winery and Pick n Pay

Primedia Face2Face – Brand Building Specialists

Worldwide, technology has emerged as one of the conspicuous winners in the economic crisis. Against the backdrop of tight consumer spend and vigorous competition, retailers have been compelled to revise their IT budgets and to employ staff more efficiently without jeopardising customer satisfaction.

In a groundbreaking move, Spar (UK) is set to roll out contactless payment technology across its 2 600-strong national store network. Based on the combination of an embedded RFID chip and the normal EMV chip on payment cards, the technology enables shoppers to make purchases of £15 or less by simply waving their card over a reader at the POS. The secure transaction uses the tried and trusted Chip and PIN technology to automatically add the purchase to the customer's credit card bill or debit it from their current account. The roll-out follows a four-store trial in London.

Developed in conjunction with IT partner BCP (Business Computer Projects), the contactless system integrates with the existing till system. Its incorporation into Spar’s POS store solution has been claimed as a first c-store sector feat. Citing the benefits of the contactless technology – faster transaction times, lower transaction fees, reduced training requirement, and a robust audit trail – Spar believes it will also satisfy the customer’s always high priority need for swift supermarket passage.

But Spar is not the only one on the look-out for a good thing. Having finalised its partnership with Barclaycard, UK high-street food retailer the Co-operative Food Stores intends a national roll-out of the revolutionary payment method in time for the 2012 Olympics. The roll-out will follow a pilot across 100 Co-operative food stores, to be initiated next year.

Contactless payment made landfall in the UK in 2007. There are now over nine million contactless enabled cards in circulation.

It’s competition time! Wilde Fruit Juice is running a competition in the July 2010 edition of the SA Garden Magazine, where twelve lucky readers stand the chance to win twelve cartons of 1 litre Wilde Fruit Juice. read more
Alpen Muesli The classic and unique Alpen blend of crispy wholegrain wheat flakes and rolled oats, juicy raisins and roasted almonds and hazelnuts, high in fibre, low in saturated fat. Arguably the finest muesli money can buy. read more

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The global consumer’s spending power may have weakened but, if media reports are to be believed, his interest in ‘green’ practice and collaboration stands robust. For a steadily growing number of consumers around the world, one item on the shopping list dictates the choice of all the others: a healthier planet.

Recent media and consumer campaigns warn that after climate change overfishing is the most serious environmental concern facing us today. Sustainable seafood is seafood from either fished or farmed sources that can maintain or increase production in the future without jeopardizing the ecosystems from which it was retrieved. And its achievement represents a real concern for fisheries, supply lines, retailers, and consumers.

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is one of several international non-profit groups that address seafood sustainability. The organisation has a certification programme for consumer seafood products, and lists certified products on its website. Against the backdrop of a markedly strengthening sustainable seafood movement in South Africa, the MCS’s eco-label is expanding its reach in the local market. The eco-label, underwritten by a thorough, independent and science-based assessment process, takes the guesswork out of sustainable buying.

As the central manufacturer-consumer go-between, the retailer holds a unique ability to push the adoption of environmental ethics full circle. Woolworths is doing just that. The retailer recently became the first South African retail chain to offer MSC products from a variety of fisheries. An extension of the Woolworths Sustainable Seafood Policy, the move demonstrates the retailer’s commitment and practical contribution to the preservation of marine biodiversity, and represents another milestone in the steady enactment of its highly publicised Good business journey. The MSC eco-labels’ physical extension of the policy to the point-of-purchase is expected to increase consumer awareness and prompt responsible purchase decisions.



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Cadbury Local ‘n Lekker

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IMPERIAL Logistics takes top honours

Incorporating several first-time categories, the Sunday Times Generation Next 2010 survey revealed the brands currently held in high juvenile esteem – and offered some interesting insights into the relationship between youthful perception and popular demand.

Votes cast in the newly introduced Petrol Station category highlighted the value of an energetic, multi-offering convenience store to the forecourt operation. For the non-driving 8-13 year-old group of respondents, who voiced a clear preference for Engen, the winner has more to do with the perceived forecourt store offering than service levels in the fill-up bay. Besides the appeal of Engen’s busy marketing initiatives, the under-13’s were impressed with its colourful multi-brand bundle offering. For the in-betweeners in the independently mobile19-22 age bracket, however, BP came up trumps.

Award winners aside, the forecourt sector remains one of the most vigorously contested, with frontrunner rivals Engen and BP going head to head in consumer rankings. Their respective convenience store investments point to a recognition of the potential profitability of a shopping space that is adequately flexible to give the customer what he wants, when he needs it, where he can reach it.

And the forecourt store’s drawing power isn’t limited to passer-by consumers - the survey showed the forecourt store also holds a strong presence in the overarching Grocery Store category, in which BP Express and Engen Quick Shop landed 9th and 10th positions respectively. This says something about the power of the forecourt store as a driver of brand recognition.

Winners in other categories included Pick n Pay (Grocery Stores), Nivea (Skincare Products), Nestlé Milo (Breakfast Cereals), Danone Yogi Sip (Dairy Drinks), and die-hard favourite in the Cold Drink category, Coca-Cola.

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Denny’s new Soup of the Day will warm winter chills In keeping with its brand promise, Denny continues to produce nutritious and convenient meals for consumers by launching its new Soup of the Day range, offering fresh and decadent soups that can generously feed a family. The new Soup of the Day range offers six delicious, heart warming new variants. read more
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Energise your ice cream sales this winter with the launch of 3 new products from Nestlé Ice Cream! MILO has proven to be a hit with shoppers across all categories. MILO is the NUMBER 1 Chocolate Malt Beverage in the World. MILO cereal became the NUMBER 1 kids cereal in SA after less than a year on shelf. So, lift your game by stocking MILO ICE CREAM. Available in singles and multipack. read more

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Convenience is leading the expansion race in the global grocery market. And nowhere is the trend more pronounced than in the U.K., where recently released figures from intelligence agencies Nielsen and IGD verify that convenience store growth is outrunning that of out-of-town supermarkets.

Given that only 15% of convenience stores are owned by supermarkets, the FMCG retail heavyweights are keen to seize hold of unoccupied territory. Sainsbury's is one of a number of UK grocers to target convenience as a central vehicle for growth. The retailer aims to add 75 - 100 new convenience stores to its 335-strong number in 2010/2011, and has its sights set on another 100 thereafter.

Not only was the convenience sector one of the key beneficiaries of recessionary shopper behaviour, but the consequent improvements made to its offering - particularly by way of private label and fresh produce expansion - have helped it retain its appeal to the post recessionary, value-coveting consumer. And, with the convenience store concept denying any manner of standard format, the scope for profit-yielding, complementary - rather than competitive - activity across city centre, high street and neighbourhood operations is almost a given.

In South Africa we have seen a similar trend of inversion of big and small where smaller stores, more accessible locations and abbreviated product assortments have secured return on investment. And it is the forecourt retailer that leads the trend as stakeholders Pick n Pay, Woolworths and Fruit & Veg City jostle for pole position.

New Products

VOILA! They’re here! Two new Premium Rusks from Bokomo. The gourmet treat for connoisseurs. Get these deliciously different rusks now and savour the flavour of a whole new taste sensation. Bon appetit! read more
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