SPAR, the world’s largest food retail voluntary chain, has seen annual retail sales break the €40 billion mark for the first time, today reporting global sales revenue of €41.2 billion for the year ending December 31st, 2021. The figures represent a 3.3% year-on-year increase in global sales revenue at constant currency values.

Since the turn of the century and consistently for nearly a decade before the COVID-19 pandemic ravished global markets, Africa was home to the fastest growing economies. The shoots of positive growth it demonstrated afforded it the title of the “last frontier” for businesses seeking growth opportunities in an otherwise flattening global growth context.

Last year’s Black Friday retail sales massively underperformed for many reasons, according to Marino Sigalas, Account Director at The MediaShop. He says that some consumers were not comfortable with the thought of being shoulder to shoulder with other shoppers during a pandemic.

Retailer Checkers says that customers using its Sixty60 home delivery service will now be able to benefit from its Xtra Savings rewards programme.

In the UK a government minister is calling for a new law to ban wet wipes that contain plastic. Labour minister Fleur Anderson argues that around 90% of the 11 billion wet wipes used in the UK per year contain some form of plastic that turns into microplastics when broken down causing environmental damage and polluting marine environments.

Black Friday, which falls on 26 November this year, may feel like an annual treat for shoppers, especially after a tough period as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, but it has little to do with altruism.

Engen has partnered with the Disability Economic Empowerment Trust (DEET) to launch a training programme for people with disabilities that will assist them with all the requirements and skills required to pass their driver’s license and enter the job market.

Dis-Chem is stocking up on hundreds of high-demand specialised products as it gears up for a week-long Black Friday campaign where big discounts will be offered.

Pick n Pay’s Smart Shopper loyalty programme continues to grow beyond its 9 million membership base, and increased participation has seen the total of unredeemed points climb to R245 million.