Markets/Africa and Middle East/News

Africa & Middle East news & analysis

01 October 2018
Pick n Pay has helped entrepreneurs, Armien and Yasmina Adams, open Something Nice Market in Blue Downs. This marks the third store in Cape Town to be opened under Pick n Pay’s spaza modernisation programme. The spaza modernisation programme Pick n Pay’s programme helps retail entrepreneurs to meet the growing needs of local communities by modernising their spaza stores. Pick n Pay equips t...
25 September 2018
Carrefour Oman, operated by Majid al Futtaim Retail, has launched a new digital rewards programme called ‘MyCLUB’. A digital loyalty card MyCLUB is a free, cloud-based programme which can be accessed from the Carrefour Oman app. The MyCLUB programme serves as a digital loyalty card with which registered users can collect points from their purchases at Carrefour. Families can also use MyCLUB...
24 September 2018
South Africa-based Pick n Pay has released a trading statement as it finalises its H1 2019 financial year results. The announcement says it has enjoyed turnover growth of 6.4%, while its diluted headline earnings per share for the timeframe would come in between 95.43 and 100.88 cents per share, compared with a restated 54.53 cents per share in 2017. Statement reveals positive performance P...
17 September 2018
Amazon Global Store has launched on Souq in Saudi Arabia. We look at this development in more detail and what it means for Amazon and ecommerce in the Middle East. Developing Souq’s offering Since Amazon acquired Souq in March 2018 their relationship has  evolved further . This has included expanding Souq’s range of goods, adding AmazonBasics private label and improving its delive...
17 September 2018
We look at how Israel-based supermarket Shufersal is investing in technology to develop its ecommerce infrastructure and shopper experience. Improving online delivery Shufersal has partnered with KNAPP to improve its logistical capabilities by automating its distribution. This allows the retailer to expand its range of products and reduce delivery time to the same day. The aim is to support...
07 September 2018
Israel-based CommonSense Robotics is entering into new partnerships with supermarket chain Rami Levy and pharmaceutical business, Super-Pharm. The aim is to improve both business' online delivery capabilities. We look at this in more detail. Who is CommonSense Robotics? Source: CommonSense Robotics   CommonSense Robotics uses robotics and artifici...
06 September 2018
We look at the latest developments for struggling Kenya-based retailer Nakumatt, including store closures, the trading environment and its outlook for the future. Store closures Nakumatt has closed its only remaining store in Kenyan city Mombasa. It was forced to close due to unpaid rent fees. The retailer owed KES107m (US$1m) accrued over 21 months. The store will be taken over by Naivas S...
03 September 2018
Despite ecommerce not making as significant a breakthrough in the Middle East as other regions, the channel is developing. We look at the latest evolutions online and how growth is gaining momentum. Noon launches grocery service The ever-expanding online platform Noon has announced it will now deliver groceries. The retailer is looking to sell a wide range of products focusing on pre...
29 August 2018
We look at South Africa-based Massmart’s interim results, its strategic priorities and predictions for the future. A difficult H1 Massmart has announced its interim results for the 26-week period ending in July; Sales were ZAR41.6bn (US$2.9bn), a decrease of 2.2% Comparable store sales fell by 3.9% Food sales declined 1.5%. Food suffered due to commodity deflation, which was est...
24 August 2018
As South Africa-based Shoprite announces its first annual profit decline in 19 years we look in more detail at the challenges the retailer has faced. A tough year CEO Peter Engelbrecht has said that 2017-2018 was; ” The toughest (year) that I can recall” Overall the retailer's turnover increased 3.1% to ZAR145.3bn (US$11 bn). However, trading profit declined 1.4% accounting for ZAR8bn...