South Africa news

Day two of IGD’s trip to Bentonville included a visit to a Walmart Distribution Centre, a Supercenter and meetings and Q&A with key Execs. Key highlights are as follows: Key Insights from Day Two 1. Distribution Centre Tour DC #6094 is a Regional DC serving 130 Walmart Supercenters, discount stores, Neighborhood Markets and Walmart Express stores in parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma a...

IGD is in Bentonville this week to cover the annual Walmart Associates and Shareholder event. It’s a key week in the Walmart calendar, bringing together media, analysts, shareholders and associates for an update and celebration of everything Walmart. Today we attended a session at Sam’s Club as well as several presentations with key Walmart Execs. Key Insights from Day One 1. Sam’s Club: Se...

SPAR International has reported worldwide retail sales up 2.8% in 2012, and revealed its new strategy: "Growing our future together." International expansion has always been a strategic goal SPAR's new strategy builds on its long-term objectives. It sets out the strategic objectives for 2013-2015 under three broad headings: Growing our partners - Developing a multi-format presenc...

Speaking at the company’s AGM, Massmart’s chief executive, Grant Pattison, discussed its recent sales performance and strategic decisions up until now. Total sales up 9.8% Pattison said that in the first 21 weeks of the 2013 financial year Massmart’s total sales rose 9.8%, while comparable sales were up by 5.6%. The retailer’s total sales growth was driven by its Masswarehouse and Massdiscoun...

Walmart's total net sales for the first quarter increased by 1.0% to $113.4bn, with growth led by its international division, where sales increased by 2.9%. In the US, Sam's Club delivered a 0.5% increase in sales (ex-fuel), while at its core US stores operation sales grew 0.3%.  Comp store sales at its US stores declined by 1.4% (ex-fuel). Operating income over the period increased by...

@WalmartLabs has made two further acquisitions, OneOps and Tasty Labs, to boost its capabilities in platform and cloud development and social integration. Adding technology and talent through acquisition These latest acquisitions represent a continuation of @WalmartLabs’ strategy to build its team by strategically adding technology and talent through key acquisitions. The acquisition of One...

SPAR has reported group turnover up 9.6% for the six months ended March 2013, driven by a strong performance from liquor stores. Tops liquor is standout performer Tops' wholesale turnover grew by 18.2%, and 25 new stores opened during the first half. Product inflation did have an effect however, at 7.9%. SPAR's combined food and liquor retail sales were up 10.2%, and 7.8% on a like-fo...

Pick n Pay has announced plans to extend its partnership with BP in South Africa and Mozambique, which will see the expansion of its Express convenience store concept on BP forecourts. Investment to occur over five year period The companies said that the addition of 120 Express stores would require an investment of ZAR2.7 billion (US$296.4 million) over the next five years, with 40 stores s...

Pick n Pay has reported turnover growth of 7.1% for the year ended 3 March 2013, to USD6.5bn, with gross profit up 5.3%. 'We failed to turn sales into sufficient profit' Despite the sales and profit growth, Pick n Pay feels this performance is not up to its standards. The retailer sold more product and served more customers during the year, however heavy investment in the business improv...

Walmart has announced plans to test in-store lockers for products ordered online in the US. This was among a number of new initiatives highlighted at its e-commerce media day held at its global e-commerce head office in San Bruno, California. Lockers offer added convenience The test of the lockers forms part of a broader plan by Walmart to integrate its physical stores with its online ...