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HOT OFF THE PRESS News that informs and inspires in the retail industry

South Africa has a massive market of individuals that can 1LIFE'S PREPAID FUNERAL PROPOSITION become entrepreneurs – especially if we consider the Kasi market where a number of South Africans already form part of the informal trade through spaza shops and airtime vendors, for example. The prepaid funeral model enables entrepreneurs to enhance their business and offer their current customers a new product while expanding their business and profit. “We are extremely excited at the opportunity that this provides us in boosting entrepreneurship within the sector, where the model we have developed enables any South African to manage their own prepaid funeral business with ease – whether it be a spaza shop owner or funeral parlour with a current client base, or even someone who has never run a business before,” says Wentzel. The 1Life prepaid funeral model is based on a "simple to use and manage" business principle. Those that want to take this career path, or supplement their current jobs with additional income, simply need to purchase a Business Starter Pack, sign a distribution agreement and undergo training on using the device. Then they will be able to distribute prepaid funeral 1Life Insurance Roadshow product vouchers that entitle the customer to cover from R5 000 up to R15 000 a month. 1Life, the direct life insurer, has launched a prepaid funeral cover and distribution model - the first of its kind in South Africa. This patented model is aimed at giving South African entrepreneurs the opportunity to sell funeral cover through an easy-to-use handheld device that includes monthly topup purchases. "The benefit of this innovation for the client is that it removes complicated application forms and empowers them to manage their policy at their convenience, in the same manner as topping up airtime," says Kobus Wentzel, Customers get access to a funeral product from as little as R35/month and are activated in a way similar to topping up prepaid airtime. A client purchases a 1Life prepaid funeral voucher from a distributor; this voucher includes a PIN and the T&Cs. The customer activates the policy and loads premiums, like loading prepaid airtime. If a vendor has a device that dispenses airtime vouchers, the 1Life software may be loaded onto the existing device. executive head of sales and distribution at 1Life.

FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR WINS A BAKKIE

With the economic pressures we face, many individuals have pursued alternative ways to make money, such as operating small businesses. However, these small businesses face multiple challenges, such as finances, budgeting, marketing and possessing adequate resources to ensure that their businesses thrive. Christina Mogase, a female entrepreneur from the Brits area, experienced transport challenges in her catering business. This, however, is now a thing of the past as she recently drove off with a brand-new Nissan NP200, made possible by Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA). Christina “Toki” Mogase is a single mother of three and a passionate and driven individual who consistently looks for new ways to better herself. As a regular customer at Metro Cash & Carry in Brits, she came across the “Win a Bakkie” competition, where customers had to purchase Coca-Cola products at their local wholesaler, follow the instructions on the scratch card and cross their fingers in hopes of being a winner. Speaking at the handover, an ecstatic Mogase expressed her gratitude for this new addition to her business as it would allow her to purchase stock and travel to events without the extra costs and admin of hiring a vehicle.

Mark Grindley-Ferris (On Premise and Stills Developer),

Christina Mogase and Vusi Msiza (Regional Key Account

Manager, CCBSA)

This quarterly competition conducted among wholesalers has been running successfully for the past three years. It not only allows customers to indulge in their favourite brand but drives sales and rewards them. There were more than 5 000 entries, a clear indication of its success of the drive and its popularity in the community. CCBSA values enterprise and community development very highly in the business and will continue to seek viable ways to ensure that as a corporate citizen the company does its best to assist where possible.

Ask Afrika Icon Brands Top 10 winners on stage

ASK AFRIKA 2018/2019 ICON BRANDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED

South Africa’s most loved and used brands were celebrated recently at the Ask Afrika Icon Brands Awards conference. The Icon Brands are brands that are used loyally across the South African demographic. The survey measures solus usage, which means that consumers will use only one brand within the product category, rather than a repertoire of favourite brands. The Ask Afrika 2018/2019 Icon Brands winners were announced, with Kiwi shoe polish garnering first place, followed in rank order by McCain, Coca-Cola, Lucky Star, Sunlight dishwashing liquid, Koo baked beans, Melrose spread, Koo fruit syrup, KFC and MTN.

SHOPRITE OFFERS MORE THAN 1 000 PRODUCTS FOR LESS THAN R5

The Shoprite Group is making sure that financially pressed customers can afford to eat, even if they have just R5 in their pockets. There are more than 1 000 products available in Shoprite stores for R5 or less, and more than 13 000 of the supermarket's products are currently selling at lower prices than last year. The retailer continues to keep its prices as low as possible with its unwavering commitment to delivering the lowest prices on food and household essentials every day. For less than R5, customers are able to buy a range of bakery, deli, fruit and veg and grocery products. A chicken hotdog, a fried egg & tomato sandwich or soup & igwinya (vetkoek) are all available for under R5 at Shoprite delis. Shoprite subsidises its 600g in-house bakery bread which costs just R4.99, the same price as in April 2016 when the retailer first started its bread subsidy. Since then it has sold 110-million loaves of bread, subsidised to the tune of R67-million, while absorbing any input cost increases. In the last year alone, Shoprite subsidised staple products at a cost of R190-million. The Shoprite Group does everything it can to make sure that increases in VAT, petrol prices and other escalating input costs are, wherever possible, not reflected in higher prices at the till. In the past year, the Group has saved customers more than R2-billion that they would have paid had its prices kept up with inflation. With unemployment at a staggering 27.2% and economic growth expectations at barely more than 1% for 2018, it is clear that more and more consumers are experiencing severe financial difficulty, and food scarcity is a growing concern. Even if you only have R5, you can still buy something to eat at Shoprite: • There are 18 different deli meals which retail for R5 and under, such as pap, sweetcorn on a stick or a boiled egg & igwinya combo. • Bakery items below R5 include 600g in-house bakery bread, a muffin, hamburger roll, scone and more. • Everyday groceries below R5 include 73g Maggi twominute noodles, 50g Pot O’ Gold peanut butter, 150g

Morvite porridge, 50g Knorr chicken soup, or a 125g bar of Sunlight laundry soap. The Shoprite Group’s purpose is to be Africa’s most accessible and affordable retailer, with job creation and efforts to alleviate hunger among its priorities.