South Africa’s direct marketing industry faces a significant new compliance regime after trade, industry & competition minister Parks Tau gazetted amendments to the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) that require all direct marketers to register with the National Consumer Commission and scrub their databases monthly against a national opt-out registry. The CPA amendment regulations (2026), published…
Image quality has become a key deciding factor for consumers. Beyond screen size or resolution, the real difference today lies in the technology behind colour, brightness and visual fidelity – therefore, understanding these elements is crucial for identifying a high-performance television. One of the most significant advancements is the Real Quantum Dot technology certification from…
There are both risks and opportunities presented by the rise of finfluencers. (Image source: 123RF) The rapid rise of financial influencers, or “finfluencers”, across South Africa’s social media platforms is a double-edged sword – representing both unprecedented opportunities for financial inclusion and significant risks related to misinformation. This was the sentiment shared by regulators and…
With hyper-connectivity at peak levels, digital minimalism is gaining momentum internationally. (Image created via ChatGPT) As hyper-connectivity reaches saturation point, a global counter-trend of digital minimalism is rising in 2026, driven by a socio-cultural shift toward analogue living and privacy. This is one of the key findings of the Flux Trends report, “The state we’re…
The FSCA’s inaugural Consumer Advisory Panel report shows how emerging technologies are redefining consumer protection in finance.(Image created via ChatGPT) The Financial Sector Conduct Authority’s (FSCA’s) Consumer Advisory Panel has published its inaugural annual report, outlining how digital finance, data insights and consumer intelligence should be used to drive smarter regulation. The report outlines the…
Makro has launched a refurbished technology offering, branded Makro Restored, as retailers respond to rising consumer demand for cheaper alternatives to new devices. The range includes refurbished and pre-owned smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, smartwatches, audio products and gaming consoles from major technology brands. Devices are sourced from third-party resellers approved by Makro and are sold…
BEIJING, CHINA – NOVEMBER 6: Women wearing Qing Dynasty-style costumes take photos inside the Forbidden City on November 6, 2025, in Beijing, China. Cheng Xin | Getty Images News As Chinese households remain reluctant to spend on big-ticket goods, Beijing is leaning on a new lever to revive consumption: experiences and everyday services. China’s cabinet…
Suntory Expands Partnership with Rimini Street to Build an Innovative Wellness Mobile Application for its Global Consumers Rimini Street, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMNI), a global provider of end-to-end enterprise software support, management and innovation solutions, and the leading third-party support provider for Oracle, SAP and VMware software, today announced that Suntory, global manufacturer of iconic beverages…
NGOs report limited resources for consumer education and pesticide testing, which they believe hinders effective enforcement of pesticide limits. They also perceive a governmental reluctance to implement significant changes. The African Centre for Biodiversity (Acbio) released a compilation of the past two decades of research on pesticide use in South Africa on 21 July 2025,…
Washington, DC CNN — Spending at US retailers fell in March as consumers pulled back after the banking crisis fueled recession fears. Retail sales, which are adjusted for seasonality but not for inflation, fell by 1% in March from the prior month, the Commerce Department reported on Friday. That was steeper than an expected 0.4%…
