While lower global oil and domestic fuel prices are being seen as a saving grace for consumer spending, limited job creation and household debt will mean another year of so-so retail sales.

Retail stocks climbed to a record on speculation the central bank would reduce borrowing costs to spur an economy struggling to reignite growth.

Food retailers have started the year on a solid footing with good trading results for the festive season.

Shoprite and Massmart, South Africa’s two leading retailers, have reported strong sales growth for their fiscal first half and full year, respectively.

The Gauteng government is in consultation with municipal and national counterparts to find a hybrid funding model for e-tolls which may include higher motor vehicle licence fees, turning off certain gantries, increasing off-peak discounts and introducing time-of-day exemptions.

SA MUST learn to live with recurrent electricity cuts for the next three years as Eskom grapples with the twin problems of building new capacity while playing catch-up with the maintenance of its old, neglected power stations.

The SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) has called on its members to submit proposals on how to survive rolling blackouts.

Food prices should drop in coming months after the sharp fall in oil and fuel prices, but declines will not be significant, say local food producers.

Pick n Pay will always keep prices as low as possible for customers.