
Bowls club 'shoe' support for Slipper Day
The Queensburgh Bowling Club has decided to support Malvern youngster Zeke van Blerk who is battling a chronic kidney illness. The 11-year-old, who attends Malvern Primary School, helped co-ordinate with his grandparents (Annamarie and Bernie van Blerk) and mother (Leanne) to get the bowls club to support the annual fundraiser.
For Leanne, the support of the bowls club goes a long way to making a difference in the lives of others.
'They are really amazing. The club is one of the biggest supporters of Zeke as they buy sweet packs he sells every month which he uses to help other children in need. We raise funds for Reach For A Dream with those sales. I encourage other residents in the area to support the day; it doesn't cost a lot. All you need to do is purchase a R20 sticker from various outlets and don your slippers on the day.
Also read: Get set for action at KZN's biggest little show
'Whenever we see the sign displayed in a shop we go in and thank the employees and owner for supporting the fundraising initiative. For all those skeptical, the foundation does amazing work. My son is proof of that and that small little gesture goes a long way,' she said.
While Zeke had a number of choices on the day for best dressed slipper, he had one thought in mind.
'It is so nice to see everyone wear their slippers. I think it suits them. My favourite on the day was The Grinch slippers. It makes my heart happy to see everyone support Reach For A Dream,' he said.
****Good to know*****
Reach For A Dream supports children aged three to 18 who are diagnosed with one of 110 life-threatening illnesses, including cancer, liver and heart conditions, renal failure, and muscular dystrophy. Each dream is tailored to a child's unique desires and medical limitations.
Participants can purchase a R20 sticker, the official symbol of support, from major retailers including Wimpy, Pick n Pay, Dis-Chem, Dis-Chem Baby City, Toys R Us, Babies R Us, Krispy Kreme, and Hush Puppies.
If you would like to get involved and support the Reach For A Dream Foundation, visit www.reachforadream.org.za.
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Daily Maverick
7 days ago
- Daily Maverick
Can SA shoppers afford Woolies' ‘store of the future'?
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With food inflation clawing at wallets and household incomes under siege, is this 'store of the future' catering for the average South African? When it comes to luxury groceries and offerings, Woolworths has ruled the roost for some time. According to its 2024 annual financial report, the group targets 'mid- to upper-income customers who value quality, innovation, value and sustainability'. In a submission Woolworths made to the Competition Commission in 2018, the retailer stated that its target market falls within the Living Standards Measure 8–10 bands. These are South Africans who have the most access to wealth, have high school or higher schooling education, and live in urban and suburban areas. From an income perspective, this crowd is in the top 12.9% of South Africans who earn above R20,000 per month. It's also worth noting that, as of that same filing, the retailer had about 210,000 active Woolworths credit cards in circulation. That number is probably higher now – with anecdotal whispers coming from retail meetings indicating that more than 80% of those card-carrying customers are fully using their credit facilities at the food store. Despite the mounting economic pressures, there's data to suggest that indulgence, or at least health consciousness, is still on the menu. Retail therapy The 2024 State of Grocery Retail report by global consulting group McKinsey shows that South African shoppers across income groups want to eat more healthily – and are willing to pay for it. According to the report, about 70% of high-income shoppers and 60% of low-income shoppers said they were focused on healthier eating in 2024. Generation Z-ers and millennials were particularly fixated on quality, organic produce and label transparency. More than half of the surveyed South Africans, regardless of income, said they're happy to pay above market price for high-quality, healthy food. 'While we will never lead on price,' the Woolworths 2024 financial report reads, 'we will continue to provide our customers with the unbeatable Woolworths difference – that of quality, freshness, convenience, innovation and exceptional sustainability credentials – making our fair prices well worth it.' The Durbanville store is the test kitchen for that promise. 'The Food Emporium is a pivotal part of Woolworths' broader retail strategy,' says Lindiwe Khumalo, head of Woolworths' store development and formats. 'It's the blueprint for the future, a reimagined store model built from deep customer research and trend analysis.' The 'experience' offers a 'sensory journey' with curated sections, designed for the intuitive flow of customer behaviours. There's even an 'innovation kitchen' with live demos. Khumalo says the emporium is not a one-off, but instead a blueprint for the expansion of more of these stores in areas where 'customer demand and community fit align'. The app trap But why invest in bricks-and-mortar stores when consumers are migrating online? Woolworths' omnichannel strategy, which includes its online delivery app Woolies Dash, seems to be one of its weaker links. First launched in December 2020 after Checkers' popular Sixty60 online delivery service debuted in 2019, Woolies Dash is meant to offer speedy, same-hour grocery delivery. Instead, it's become something of a digital Achilles heel, despite the retailer reporting 71% sales growth and 95% of orders being delivered on time. On review sites like HelloPeter and social media platforms, users are vocal about the delivery service's frequent delays and patchy order tracking, and the problematic interface of the app itself. One user on HelloPeter wrote: 'Woolies Dash is horrific. Order took five hours to be delivered from less than 2km away and they could only supply half the items I ordered.' Another was more terse: 'I've never had a successful order and I cannot recommend this service.' Out-of-stock items, bad substitutions and unresponsive customer service are common complaints. Checkers' Sixty60, by contrast, is everywhere, with scooter fleets idling next to you at every red light. Checkers noted 1.37 million app downloads in 2024 and 1.6 billion system calls weekly, according to Shoprite's 2024 financial report. In 2022, Checkers introduced its first 'dark store', which are physical stores not open to the public, solely dedicated to fulfilling online orders. Woolworths followed suit last year, introducing its first dark store in the Cape Town CBD to improve product availability for online shoppers. Will they come (and keep coming)? The Emporium format leans into emotional retail by tapping into lifestyle aspirations over wallets. It is a move that comes with risk, especially in a market where affordability still dominates decision-making. Roland Goldberg, associate professor in marketing management at North-West University, points to convenience remaining a motivating factor when considering consumers in multiple generational cohorts, particularly among urban professionals with demanding lifestyles. 'There is, and always will be, a market for luxury premium label items catering [for] higher-income and aspirational or status-driven consumers,' he says. But he also cautions that retailers who want to push for premium should be careful in the South African economy. 'They should appeal to the value-conscious consumer rather than the price-sensitive consumer. Emphasis should be placed on why the customer is paying extra for the item and the benefits should therefore be highlighted.' Khumalo says Woolworths balances its offering through a range of products that cater for different needs and budgets. 'Alongside artisanal and premium selections, customers can find everyday essentials,' she says. Woolworths' new store concept is an experience, choreographed and curated with a very specific customer in mind. Perhaps that's the point – to stand out in a crowded market, and hoping some South Africans are willing to pay for it. DM

IOL News
7 days ago
- IOL News
Are Rachel and Siya Kolisi back together? Viral airport video fuels romance rumours
Mzansi netizens eager for a reunion speculate whether Siya and Rachel Kolisi are back together after Siya was spotted walking next to a woman at the airport. Image: Supplied South African Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has sent social media into a frenzy after a video of him walking alongside a woman resembling his ex-wife, Rachel Kolisi, went viral. The clip was shared by a fan, @meagsypoo, who spotted Kolisi while travelling economy with the team at O.R. Tambo International Airport on Sunday. 'Yes, the game was good, but did you share a flight with the bokke the next day?' read the title of the TikTok, which quickly garnered close to half a million views. The video showcased the Springboks, who had just celebrated a victory over Ireland at Loftus Versfeld the previous evening. The fan, who admitted to feeling too shy to ask for a photo with the rugby stars, described her experience as 'stalking them like a weirdo instead'. Despite her reluctance to approach the players, her TikTok post captures a moment of excitement for rugby fans. As the video circulated, eager netizens began speculating whether Kolisi had rekindled his relationship with Rachel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Comments flooded in, with one user, @tshilidzi__, exclaiming, 'Is that Rachel with Siya??? 😭😭✋.' Another user, @ilovejubah, quipped, 'Siya on the hunt for Rachel 2.0,' while @kamo_kula confidently stated, 'That was definitely Rachel!!!!!' However, some observers noted that the woman in the video might be Kate Woods, the director of Adidas South Africa, rather than Rachel. The resemblance sparked a flurry of online chatter about the Springboks captain's personal life. Siya and Rachel announced their divorce in October 2024, citing mutual respect and love as the foundation for their decision. They expressed their commitment to co-parenting their children and continuing their work together on the Kolisi Foundation, despite ending their marriage. The news left many South Africans heartbroken, as the couple had been beloved figures in the rugby community. Despite the speculation surrounding this recent airport sighting, it seems Kolisi remains focused on his role as both a father and team captain.


The Citizen
07-07-2025
- The Citizen
World Chocolate Day: South African's favourite chocolates
Today is World Chocolate Day and you can spoil yourself with Dubai Chocolate today or something a little cheaper. Just like all countries have their dishes and cultures, every country's citizens have their preferences when it comes to chocolate, and South Africa is no different. Andrew Fulton, Director at Eighty20, says that chocolate occupies a unique position in the consumer psyche, and few fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) products command such an emotional attachment. Recent chocolate trends also show how savvy social media strategies and precise targeting can elevate niche brands into mainstream popularity, he says. Remember a few months ago how everybody wanted to taste Dubai Chocolate? Fulton says this phenomenon sent ripples through South Africa's confectionery landscape. 'Featuring rich textures and premium ingredients like kunefe and pistachio paste, Dubai chocolate captured headlines with its astronomical R1 000 debut price point. While the price later settled at a slightly more accessible R400 at Dischem, the initial buzz already achieved its purpose.' ALSO READ: Dubai chocolate hits SA shelves at R400: Is it worth the price? Taking the Dubai Chocolate trend a little further He says local import and nostalgic candy store, Obsessions Cape Town, not only stocks its handmade dupe of the chocolate but also stocks a dessert version of strawberries smothered in pistachio kunefe, topped with Belgian chocolate. At the end of 2024, Lindt & Sprüngli introduced its limited-edition handmade Lindt Dubai Chocolate in its retail stores. Fulton says the overwhelming success of the flavour prompted the group to develop the Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate with a similar recipe for wholesale. However, the chocolate industry does not only want to make money from consumers. Tony's Chocolonely represents a masterclass in niche marketing through social justice positioning. Fulton says this Dutch confectionery company built its brand around ethical sourcing, fair trade practices, and social justice, with its chocolate bars composed of odd-shaped squares that serve as a visual metaphor for wealth distribution imbalances in the chocolate industry. 'This approach created a passionate, loyal global following. In South Africa, Tony's can be found in a variety of place, from farm stalls and delis to the Checkers Sixty60 app.' ALSO READ: Chocolate is good for you! South Africans' favourites will surprise you Turning to the South African landscape, he notes that a wide range of South Africans consume chocolate, with more than half (52%) of adult South Africans having eaten some form of chocolate in the past month. 'It is safe to assume many more of them (5.2 million in the past 7 days) choose a Bar-One (R14.99 on the Sixty60 app for a 52g bar) rather than premium alternatives like Tony's Chocolonely, which costs 1.5 times more.' According to quarterly MAPS data from the MRF (with a sample size of 20,000 people), the top five chocolate bars South Africans love are Bar-One, Lunch Bar, Aero, Black Cat, and Kit Kat, with a million people eating each of them every week. Interestingly, Black Cat and Aero skew toward higher-income consumers, while South Africans across all income levels like to take a break with a Kit Kat or a Lunch Bar. ALSO READ: Dark chocolate good for blood pressure – study Men and women in SA have different tastes Fulton says that a third of South Africans eat a chocolate bar in any given week. In terms of gender breakdown, women seem to prefer Jungle Energy Bar, Aero, Kit Kat, and Crunchie, while men favour Nosh, Lunch Bar, Black Cat, and 5 Star. In terms of generations, Gen Z consumers prefer Nosh, Lunch Bar and Chomp, while Gen X gravitates toward Aero, Black Cat and Flake. 'There is a steady shift in how people approach chocolate. They want to know where ingredients come from, how products are made and they want more authentic, ethical experiences. At Honest Chocolate, we use single-origin Tanzanian cocoa beans that offer a unique, fruity flavour with bright acidity, which consumers really appreciate,' Anthony Gird, co-founder at Honest Chocolate, says. ALSO READ: The future of chocolate prices remains unpredictable due to challenges Chocolate is getting more expensive, costing 40% more than in 2021 On that note, Fulton says, if you felt chocolate bars are getting smaller and more expensive over the past five years, you are not wrong. Chocolate experienced double-digit inflation in most years since 2020, significantly outpacing consumer inflation, with the bars now 40% more expensive than they were in December 2021. The 11.6% inflation rate in 2024 represents a particularly steep increase, making chocolate a notable casualty of global economic pressures, climate change and supply chain pressures, he says. 'With cocoa prices increasing due to climate change affecting production in West Africa, quality dark chocolate is getting more expensive and that is likely to continue for the next couple of years.' While many consumers associate chocolate with Switzerland, Germany is the world's largest exporter of chocolate, accounting for 16.3% of total exports. Belgium, Poland, Italy, and the Netherlands round out the top five, which make up half of all global exports. The global chocolate export market reached $43.8 billion in 2024, with the US and the United Kingdom importing nearly 20% of that production. ALSO READ: Stephanie Ceranio's chocolate empire started with just R8 000 Four of five exporters are from Africa Africa is Ground Zero for chocolate in its raw form, cocoa beans, with 4 of the top 5 exporters from Africa. They are Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon, responsible for 46% of all cocoa bean exports. 'Chocolate continues to be one of our most beloved guilty pleasures, a small indulgence that delivers big on satisfaction. As we mark World Chocolate Day, it is worth remembering that behind every bar is a fascinating intersection of consumer psychology, global economics and innovative marketing,' Fulton says.