INDUSTRY NEWS

DISTELL’S NEW STRATEGY PAYS OFF

Distell Managing Director Richard Rushton.

The Distell Group has raised its year-on-year revenue by 10.4% to R19.6 billion, thanks to a revised corporate strategy under Managing Director Richard Rushton. Distell’s biggest gains have been in the domestic market, with an 11.8% increase in revenue.

The star performers in South Africa proved to be Distell’s wines, in particular 4th Street, Nederburg and Durbanville Hills. Ciders continued to grow while spirits showed a 10.8% increase in revenue, with Scotch whiskies Three Ships and Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky performing well. Amarula still held top spot in its category in the market, while Bisquit cognacs enjoyed substantial growth.

HUNGRY LION GOBBLES UP THE PUBLIC’S ATTENTION WITH SLICK PR CAMPAIGN

A fleet of Harley Davidsons ready for the ride.

Hungry Lion recently took 20 journalists and media professionals on a one-of-a-kind tour of Johannesburg to launch its Spot the Lucky Bucket competition, as well as to relaunch the brand’s image. With R100 000 up for grabs, the Spot the Lucky Bucket competition, which ran until October 31 2015, needed a big splash to grab the public’s attention. And that goal was easily achieved by putting the media on the back of a fleet of growling Harley Davidson motorcycles, ridden by experienced bikers from Harley Davidson Chauffeur Rides.

TinCan PR made sure the tour caught the eye of every passer-by as the group made their way from the Harley Davidson Clearwater franchise in Roodepoort all the way to Soweto. Accompanied by Lucky Bucket, the Hungry Lion mascot, and with three vintage vehicles joining the procession, the group trawled the streets on their lean, mean, well-oiled machines to the Hungry Lion franchise in Protea Glen, where they received a resounding welcome from Hungry Lion staff and the public. Hungry Lion is setting its sights on expanding into urban and suburban areas and rebranding itself as an aspirational brand with street smarts. Stick with us for upcoming information!

COLLECT-A-CAN CREATES A READING REVOLUTION!

For the past 22 years, Collect-a-Can has been doing far more than encouraging recycling cans in exchange for cash Collect-a-Can has been giving underprivileged communities and informal collectors the chance to generate an income stream for themselves.

Through hard work and dedication, informal collectors have found they can provide for their families. “Thanks to Collect-a-Can, I get paid for the cans that I collect on a daily basis. This enables me to put food on the table for my family,” says Sello Nwana, a Mamelodi can collector.

Not only that, but in July, Collect-a-Can along with its partners – ReaderLympics, Biblionef, Molteno Institute for Language and Literacy, Pan Macmillan, Dainfern Valley Estate and Tshikovha Environmental and Communication Consultancy – collected 3 000 books in its national Collect-a-Book drive. The aim was to create a reading revolution in five underprivileged schools including Zitha Primary School in Vanderbijlpark; Chuma Primary School in Khayelitsha, Cape Town; Khalipha Primary School in Umlazi, Durban; Boepakitso Primary School in Diepkloof, Johannesburg; and Bokamoso Primary School in Soshanguve, Pretoria. An added element of fun was the CanMan, who made surprise appearances at the schools, with boxes of donated books in exchange for cans the pupils had collected for recycling. “The aim of the Collect-a-Book drive is to put books in the hands of learners and bring reading to life, while making a lasting and memorable difference in schools,” says Zimasa Velaphi, public relations and marketing manager of Collect-a-Can.

LIQUOR LEGISLATION: WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR BUSINESS! SMOKING LEGISLATION: WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Responsible liquor sales are important to ensure a safer society for all. Make sure you stay within the law so your business isn’t investigated and liable to prosecution or a fine.

Here are the five things you should know:

• The National Liquor Act (2003) prohibits the sale of alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 years, and as a retailer it is especially important that you check identification when serving drinks. A student ID will not do, as it is not a clear indicator of age. Should someone refuse to produce their ID, then the seller must refuse to give them alcohol. • As difficult as it may be to implement, alcohol may not be served to drunk people. Look for signs such as slurred speech, swaying, physical aggression and loudness. • Ablution facilities and condoms should be freely available and easily accessible, as well as free tap water for drinking purposes. • Minimum set trading hours are 6pm to 6am seven days a week for nightclubs in business areas, with a small adjustment of 6pm to midnight on Sundays for nightclubs in residential areas. Establishments with ‘on-consumption’ licences in residential areas may trade Mondays to

Saturdays 10am to 9pm and Sundays 10am to 5pm. • You may not sell alcohol to customers to take away.

As the owner of a business, you are required to act responsibly with regard to tobacco consumption and sales on your premises. Some of the most notable responsibilities are listed below:

• The law states that the person in control of a public place is responsible for enforcing the smoking ban, and must train staff to prevent smokers from lighting up in non-designated areas. Any member of the public who sees the ban being breached may lay a complaint, which can mean a fine (of up to R50 000) or an official warning.

• It is also the owner’s responsibility to display signs designating smoking and non-smoking areas.

• Allowing sponsorship of any event by a tobacco company or any competition with prizes sponsored by tobacco companies is also illegal, with fines of up to R1 million.

• Selling cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18 years can lead to a fine of R100 000, and selling tobacco products without the prescribed signage can also lead to a fine.

• Smoking is forbidden in partially enclosed areas, such as verandas and patios, as the smoke can still cause harm to others nearby.

• No more than 25% of a business may be allocated to smokers, and it must be enclosed, with vents redirecting the smoke outside the building.

GOING AWAY ON HOLIDAY?

How can you ensure your business runs smoothly in your absence?

1.Plan early and speak up. Set up a checklist for activities to complete before your holiday, and make sure that your suppliers are aware of your upcoming absence. 2.Prepare for the worst, but see it as an opportunity to challenge yourself and your staff. Ask yourself: “What’s the worst that could happen?”, and dare yourself and your staff to create workable solutions. 3.Enjoy yourself, you’ve worked hard to earn your break so make the most of it. You’ll be sure to return revived and refreshed and bursting with new ideas.