Earlier this week our peers in the business press reported incorrectly on changes to Pick n Pay’s omnichannel offering, creating the impression that while its competitors are ramping up, it would be ramping down. Absolutely not, says the Big Blue, making it clear that the change in question relates only to the delivery of general merchandise goods from its homeware and appliance online shop, Pick n Pay Home. Until now, you see, orders have been picked from a dark store, but following the change, they will be fulfilled out of four major hypermarkets, with all 21 Hypers coming on board soon, thereby returning Pick n Pay Home to full nationwide delivery given the strategic locations of these stores. While on the topic of omnichannel at Pick n Pay, here’s a look at some interesting numbers:

• Pick n Pay asap! now offers over 50,000 articles on its platform, and has grown to 600 locations across SA
• In its trading update for the 45 weeks ended 5 Jan, Pick n Pay reported that online sales enjoyed growth of +42.5%, driven by asap! and Pick n Pay Groceries on the Mr D app
• Overall online sales are up more than 11 times since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

Comment: Numbers that indicate clearly that online is here to stay for Pick n Pay… and growing.

Seems the retailers’ press machines have also been taking advantage of the many holidays these past weeks, so here’s a brief look at a couple of lighter stories. First up, Shoprite, which uses only natural refrigerants in its 32 DCs and in most of its in-store refrigerated cabinets. Exactly what these refrigerants are remains under wraps but according to Danfoss SA, providers of energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions, many of our retailers are using CO2 to cool things down, which, we are told, is better for the environment than synthetic options. Next, if you want cheaper groceries, don’t live in Jozi. This according to the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity (PMBEJD) group, which reports that in Johannesburg, the cost of a household food basket (comprising 44 essential items) came in at R139.16 more than the national average last month. This makes it the most expensive city to buy groceries, followed by Durbs and Cape Town, with the Mother City being R249.90 cheaper than Johannesburg and R103.74 cheaper than the national average.

There’s been no lack of news beyond our borders, however, so let’s get right to it. SPAR is making its debut in Rwanda, with SPAR International awarding the license to operate the brand to local retail outfit Sawa Citi. The store is located in Nyarutarama, a suburb of the capital Kigali.

Moving to the UK, M&S has had a torrid time these last few weeks dealing with a significant cyber attack on its systems. As a result, the retailer has been forced to pause online orders through its website and apps, affecting sales in clothing, homeware and beauty, as well as the availability of certain grocery items. On average, £3.8m is spent daily on clothing and home products through M&S’ websites and apps. With all this starting over the Easter weekend, you do the maths.

Moving across to the US, Walmart is working to bring more small businesses into its digital ecosystem through its new “Grow with Us” onboarding initiative, where small vendors will gain access to the Walmart Marketplace and be supported with training, mentorship, and financing tools. Unrelated, the retailer has also announced that it will be bringing back its $6.99 picking and packing fee for orders under $35 for shoppers relying on food stamps. The fee was dropped during COVID due to social distancing restrictions, but will now be reinstated ahead of the price hikes anticipated as a result of the trade war. And did you know that Walmart started offering online shopping in 2000 and is expecting it to start turning a profit only this year? Our jaws dropped too.

Lastly, we close off with the news that Target has become the first US grocery retailer to sell wine in paper bottles. The Frugal Bottle (manufactured by Frugalpac) is five times lighter than a glass bottle and uses six times less carbon and energy to produce and dispose of. The Collective Good wine range bottled (papered?) in the new paper bottles features a Red Blend from Spain, a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile, a Cabernet Sauvignon from California and a Pinot Grigio from Italy.

Two weeks ago, you will remember how we made cursory mention of a dispute between Aspen and a customer which remains unnamed due to contractual confidentiality. What we do know is that the dispute relates to a manufacturing and technology contract for its mRNA products out of its sterile manufacturing facility in France, and that following news of the dispute, Aspen’s share price plunged a whopping 30%, knocking R22bn off its market cap. It recovered somewhat over the days that followed, but perhaps more worrying for the business is the market’s broader trust of its management and how the whole debacle “may point to underlying operational or strategic challenges,” according to Urquhart Partners fund manager Richard Cheesman. “I cannot say anything else, but we are deeply disappointed,” said Aspen CEO Stephen Saad in an attempt to reassure shareholders. “The foundations are all intact, and the opportunities remain.”

Congrats to Danone Southern Africa, which has received the prestigious global BCorp Certification, a first in South African FMCG. Standing for ‘Benefit Corporation’, BCorp Certification is awarded to companies that strive for more than just financial gain and is proof of their commitment to creating positive social and environmental impact. Originating in 2006, the movement now spans 102 countries and 160 industries, with over 9,500 companies certified worldwide. “Danone Southern Africa is one of only 14 companies in South Africa – and the only FMCG company – to have achieved this certification,” explains chuffed Danone GM, Hendrik Born. “... the process for BCorp certification is rigorous, as it relies on intense impact assessments [from stakeholders], but it provides a certified mark of trust for consumers when purchasing,” adds Born. To achieve certification, BCorps must demonstrate positive impact on their employees, communities, and the environment. In the case of Danone, efforts cited included its regenerative agriculture programme where farming partners receive support from Danone, and its female executive representation of 60%.

Full disclosure: we hadn’t really noticed that they were gone, but now that they’re back, our weekends are made! PepsiCo has announced that after a four-year absence and due to popular demand, its Simba Tomato Sauce chips will return to our shelves. And so too will Lay’s Sour Cream flavoured chips. This thanks to a R746m investment at the Isando snack factory which has added 29% more capacity to the complex and more room for those popular flavours. The tomato sauce in question is no ordinary ketchup, however… oh no. It is none other than Wellington’s Tomato Sauce, manufactured by Pioneer Foods (a PepsiCo subsidiary), its bottle displayed prominently on the packaging. Next, big up to BIC, that in partnership with world record-holder and Paralympian champion Mpumelelo Mhlongo, has donated over 3,000 pens to students at Forest High School in Joburg. The drive is part of BIC’s ‘Together We Can Make a Difference’ initiative, which aims to raise awareness around the high school dropout rate in our country while committing to provide learners with learning resources.

By Carey Leighton, Ti Economist: In writing this month’s SA Economic Report (to be released tomorrow), I was floored by how much has been announced, caused chaos, and then backtracked. April 2025 was a disruptive month, to say the least.

Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs (covered here earlier in the month, with not much more clarity today) are sitting at 10% (maybe), with the future in the hands of SA’s interministerial committee, led by Trade Minister Parks Tau, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, and International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, who have been tasked to negotiate with the US and explore alternative markets.

After being moved out by three weeks, the 2025 SA budget was announced on 12 Mar 2025. Then withdrawn on 24 Apr 2025, just days before the proposed VAT increase was due to come into effect on 1 May 2025. The third budget is now due for 21 May 2025, giving the Treasury only a few weeks to plug the budget shortfall (created by VAT remaining unchanged) – either by cutting spending or increasing income (taxes?) – since borrowing more money has apparently been ruled out.

Comment: Here’s to May, and the year flying by – a little less uncertainty would be welcome.