Will SA's automotive industry overcome the digital trust barrier?

The automotive industry is a powerhouse in South Africa, contributing 4.3% of GDP and 18.1% of exports, and employing over 110,000 people. As the 22nd-largest vehicle producer globally, it drives significant economic growth. Yet, like many industries, it is undergoing a significant shift with the rise of e-commerce. 25 Nov 2024 Read more

Source: © 123rf Mariette Frazer, a lecturer in retail marketing in the Department of Marketing, says the retail sector finds itself on the brink of another transformative phase

Retail 2024: Technology driving change, but leadership is the navigator

As the world marches towards Industry 5.0, retailers are faced with new demands on leadership, strategy, and operations, as innovation continues to grow exponentially. 5 Jan 2024 Read more

How SA's online stores can manage the 'deadweight loss of Christmas'

By the opening decades of the 21st century, businesses had adopted e-commerce stores, online advertising, and more recently, mobile applications. They have also embarked on the commercial marketing of various products in their store-fronts, accompanied by above-the-line media (print, radio, and television ads) from the start of the Christmas season in order to encourage people to shop for gifts. 6 Dec 2019 Read more

Is there a war between direct and online selling?

Sales managers in South Africa currently have to deal with two very important factors that have a significant impact on the sales environment: a shortage of sales skills and advances in sales technology. 11 Oct 2019 Read more

Image credit: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

Still that 11-letter word in marketing and communication: I-N-T-E-G-R-A-T-I-O-N

Integration has been preached in marketing and communication for almost 25 years now - with ideas such as integrated marketing communication, integrated marketing, strategic integrated communication and the like. 8 Aug 2019 Read more

Retail in 2030: AI, IoT, big data, and omnichannel as teenagers

Will technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) mean the end of human engagement and shopping in a physical retail store? Will we become completely dependent on Internet of Things (IoT) technology for shopping? Will we rely on a fridge to remind us of our shopping lists? Will we see robots shopping side-by-side with us in Checkers? Let's explore Retail 2030. 16 Jul 2019 Read more

The Fourth Industrial Revolution in retail and the low-income consumer

In an era of rapid technological change, and with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) on everybody's lips, I ask the question: "But what about lower-income retail shoppers in emerging markets like South Africa?" Are retailers embracing technology in this latest industrial revolution to serve the lower-income segments, or are they being forgotten? 30 May 2019 Read more