Connect with us
Anglostratits

Business

The Effect of ‘Lights Off’ for the Retail Industry (By Mike Smollan)

Published

3 years ago

on

Mike Smollan, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at Smollan looks at the impact that loadshedding has on the retail and e-commerce industry

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 26, 2022/APO Group/ — 

By Mike Smollan, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at Smollan (https://Smollan.com/)

As we flip flop between candles powering up and diesel drumming to a now common beat – with the longest run of loadshedding in South Africa recently under our belts – the massive impact this has had on business has been nothing less than debilitating leaving our economy in a precarious position.

With loadshedding recently declared the 2022 word of the year by the Pan South African Language Board – retailers, brands, and manufactures have faced heavy knocks in a sector that is still in recovery post lockdown. Negatively impacting revenue, costs, and employment across the country. Contingency plans have had to evolve into calculated innovative ways of doing business around literally and figuratively ‘keeping the lights on’.

From looking at alternative ways of managing mobile payment solutions to understanding how web traffic and checkouts are affected; the effect of loadshedding on malls and smaller shops; issues around intermittent internet and ultimately as the country gears up for the holiday season, managing the customer experience.

Globally there is indeed an energy crisis with countries all over the world struggling to adequately provide electricity for their citizens – from issues around gas supply in Europe, imminent power cuts in Australia and parts of the US and recent warnings of three-hour planned black outs in Britain this winter. So too in Africa, countries such as Botswana, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Zambia, Namibia, and Mozambique face an ongoing battle as they deal with rolling power outages.

Contingency plans have had to evolve into calculated innovative ways of doing business around literally and figuratively ‘keeping the lights on’

Closer to home, reality brings further perspective with leading industry player Liberty Two Degrees, and owners of Sandton City mall, revealing that they had spent three times more on diesel than budgeted due to the intensity of loadshedding over the past months. While clothing retailer Truworths reported that ‘power down’ cost them more than 10% of their sales in a single week in September this year [News24]. At the other end of the scale entrepreneurs and small business owners have voiced their frustration on social media – with one trader stating that he must now find R1800 or more a day for diesel, just to stay in business. With another suggesting that when applying for funding one must include the all-important investment of a generator.

Amidst the power no show, retailers do their best to bob, and weave to keep things up and running in the hopes of trading, business as usual. Despite their best-efforts, challenges arise when older generation payment terminals are still in use that rely on SIM cards and need data connectivity to process and where trolleys and baskets of perishable goods that need to be traded quickly are abandoned at tills. Something global retail specialist Smollan understands. It’s about strengthening relationships, part of a clear brief that revealed itself during lockdown, so that new ways of doing things can be tabled to, despite loadshedding, unlock growth potential at the point of purchase.

While customers are certainly adjusting their shopping habits as the situation has a familiar new-normal ring to it – smaller shops often close completely during loadshedding directly affecting sales while larger anchor tenants in malls tend to remain open. Furthermore, when wifi goes down, many businesses must switch to cell phone data incurring extra costs while restaurants have to increase the amount of gas they use [News24].

In the online space, thoughts turn to the impact the power issue has had on ecommerce – especially with promotional days and the holiday season literally around the corner.

While some believe that more affluent shoppers will continue to move online because off loadshedding, www.Ecommerce.co.za suggests in the broader space that retailers should look at alternative mobile payment solutions that don’t require any device or card machine and, as systems go down pressure on hosting services increases, so ensuring that the customer experience is effectively managed to avoid any negative ‘misadventures’, will be key.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Smollan.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Events

As global power structures shift, Invest Africa convenes The Africa Debate 2026 to redefine partnership in a changing world

Published

3 days ago

on

February 6, 2026

By

Debate

The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –As African economies assert greater agency in a rapidly evolving global order, Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com) is delighted to announce The Africa Debate 2026, its flagship investment forum, taking place at the historic Guildhall in London on 3 June 2026.

Now in its 12th year, The Africa Debate has established itself as London’s premier platform for African investment dialogue since launching in 2014, convening over 800 global decision-makers annually to shape the future of trade, finance, investment, and development across the continent.

Under the theme “Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition”, this year’s forum will focus on Africa’s response to global economic realignment with greater agency, ambition and economic sovereignty.

The Africa Debate puts Africa’s priorities at the centre of the conversation, moving beyond traditional narratives to focus on ownership, resilience and long-term value creation.

“Volatility is not new to Africa. What is changing is the opportunity to respond with greater agency and ambition,” says Invest Africa CEO Chantelé Carrington.

“This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy — so African economies can take greater ownership of their growth. Success will be defined by how effectively we turn disruption into leverage and partnership into shared value.”

The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation.

Key challenges driving the debate

Core focus areas for this year’s edition of The Africa Debate include:

This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy

Global Realignment & New Partnerships

How shifting geopolitical and economic power structures are reshaping Africa’s global partnerships, trade dynamics and investment landscape.

Financing Africa’s Future

The growing need to reform the global financial architecture, new approaches to development finance, as well as the strengthening of market access and financial resilience of African economies in a changing global system.

Strategic Value Chains

Moving beyond primary exports to build local value chains in critical minerals for the green economy. Also addressing Africa’s energy access gap and mobilising investment in renewable and transitional energy systems.

Digital Transformation & Technology

Unlocking growth in fintech, AI and digital infrastructure to drive productivity, inclusion, and the next phase of Africa’s economic transformation.

The Africa Debate 2026 offers a unique platform for high-level dialogue, deal-making, and strategic engagement. Attendees will gain actionable insights from leading policymakers, investors and business leaders shaping Africa’s economic future, while building strategic partnerships that define the continent’s next growth phase.

Registration is now open (http://apo-opa.co/46b19gj).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

Continue Reading

Business

Zion Adeoye terminated as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CLG due to serious personal and professional conduct violations

Published

3 days ago

on

February 6, 2026

By

CLG

After a thorough internal and external investigation, along with a disciplinary hearing chaired by Sbongiseni Dube, CLG (https://CLGglobal.com) has made the decision to terminate Zion Adeoye due to serious personal and professional conduct violations. This process adhered to the Code of Good Practice of the Labour Relations Act, ensuring fairness, transparency, and compliance with South African law.

Mr. Adeoye has been held accountable for several serious offenses, including:

  • Making malicious and defamatory statements against colleagues
  • Extortion
  • Intimidation
  • Fraud
  • Misuse of company funds
  • Theft and misappropriation of funds
  • Breach of fiduciary duty
  • Mismanagement

His actions are in direct contradiction to our firm’s core values. We do not approve of attorneys spending time in a Gentleman’s Club. CLG deeply regrets the impact this situation has had on our colleagues and continues to provide full support to those affected.

We want to express our gratitude to those who spoke up and to reassure everyone at the firm of our unwavering commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace. Misconduct of any kind is unacceptable and will be addressed decisively.

We recognize the seriousness of this matter and have referred it to the appropriate law enforcement, regulatory, and legal authorities in Nigeria, Mauritius, and South Africa. We kindly ask that the privacy of the third party involved be respected.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.

 

Continue Reading

Business

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Strengthens Partnership with the Republic of Djibouti through US$35 Million Financing Facility

Published

3 days ago

on

February 6, 2026

By

ITFC

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (https://www.ITFC-IDB.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has signed a US$35 million sovereign financing facility with the Republic of Djibouti to support the development of the country’s bunkering services sector and strengthen its position as a strategic regional maritime and trade hub.

The facility was signed at the ITFC Headquarters in Jeddah by Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, Chief Executive Officer of ITFC, and H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti.

The financing facility is expected to contribute to Djibouti’s economic growth and revenue diversification by reinforcing the competitiveness and attractiveness of the Djibouti Port as a “one-stop port” offering comprehensive vessel-related services. With Red Sea Bunkering (RSB) as the Executing Agency, the facility will support the procurement of refined petroleum products, thus boosting RSB’s bunkering operations, enhancing revenue diversification, and consolidating Djibouti’s role as a key logistics and trading hub in the Horn of Africa and the wider region.

We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth

Commenting on the signing, Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, CEO of ITFC, stated:

“This financing reflects ITFC’s continued commitment to supporting Djibouti’s strategic development priorities, particularly in strengthening energy security, port competitiveness, and trade facilitation. We are proud to deepen our partnership with the Republic of Djibouti and contribute to sustainable economic growth and regional integration.”

H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti, commented: “Today’s signing marks an important milestone in the development of Djibouti’s bunkering services and reflects our strong and valued partnership with ITFC, particularly in the oil and gas sector. This collaboration supports our ambition to position Djibouti as a regional hub for integrated maritime and logistics services. We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth.”

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties.

Since its inception in 2008, ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti have maintained a strong partnership, with a total of US$1.8 billion approved primarily supporting the country’s energy sector and trade development objectives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

Continue Reading

Trending