Johannesburg — RETAIL sales dived a record 4,5% in February, much more steeply than expected and backing the case for a hefty interest rate cut at the Reserve Bank's policy meeting at the end of this month.

April 6 (Bloomberg) -- South African retail sales growth slowed to an annual 7.6 percent in February, from 11 percent in January, an industry group said.

According to the latest retail trade sales report compiled by the Bureau of Market Research at the University of South Africa (Unisa), retailers will face a gloomy 2009.

Capetonians and holidaymakers are flocking to shopping malls to take advantage of the January bargains.

When the Cape Argus visited Canal Walk, most stores in the shopping centre were advertising specials, with some items discounted up to 50 percent.

My grandfather always told me, “When the sun is shining, you gotta’ make hay.” Well, the Christmas season is our season to make hay. Here are my twenty-four favorite ways to boost your sales and save your sanity this holiday season.

When Richard Maponya did well as a clothes salesman, his white boss could not promote him under the rules of apartheid.

So his boss instead offered to sell Maponya damaged clothes at a discount. Maponya resold the clothes after work and on weekends, and earned enough to go into business.

The Franchising sector’s thriving success, sustainability and substantial contribution to the economy has once again been highlighted by the findings of The Standard Bank Franchise Factor® survey.

Three retail experts provide their own perspectives in answering questions a round: Cutting back or expanding? New developments or existing ones? How does the current market impact on criteria for taking premises?

Dominant regional shopping centres are enjoying healthy growth rates, despite reports of slowed wholesale and retail trade sales.

DESPITE a slight recovery in confidence among retailers in the second quarter, trading conditions are not expected to improve in the second half and retailers should batten down.