Digital Marketing
Analysis finds social media used by less than 4% of people, while mobile phone connections are equivalent to less than 60% of Malawians.
TRADE MAGAZINE ADVERTISING
Africa’s retail SMEs optimistic about future growth
By our News Team | 2021
Seventy-eight percent of SMEs in retail across Middle East and Africa optimistic about future growth – Mastercard Confidence Index.
Small and medium enterprise (SME) confidence across most sectors is on the rise in Africa, according to the latest research by Mastercard. This comes notwithstanding the widespread impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The inaugural Mastercard Middle East and Africa (MEA) SME Confidence Index found that 78% of SMEs in the region’s retail sector are optimistic about the next 12 months. Confidence levels were highest among retail businesses, slightly ahead of other sectors, like food and beverage, entertainment, construction and manufacturing.
In addition, 70% of SMEs in retail are projecting revenues that will either grow or hold steady. Half are projecting an increase.
Photo by monkeybusinessimages on iStock
Access to skills, digital payments and data key for future growth
Many regional economies are gradually re-entering the normalisation and growth phase, as social restrictions continue to ease. In this process, SMEs in the African retail sector have identified the top drivers for growth as being:
- Training and upskilling staff (55%)
- Acceptance of digital payments (49%)
- Better data and insights (49%)
- Easier access to finance (49%).
As part of their support to the retail sector, payment processing companies typically offer technology, data insights, consulting and predictive analytics solutions to empower retailers to acquire new customers, enhance customer loyalty and improve operations.
This provides retailers with insights and a 360-degree view of their shoppers, with the payment processing operator’s platforms and services translating those data-driven insights into action.
For many small businesses, reducing their dependence on cash through digital payments acceptance, has played a major factor in being able to get paid and maintain revenues.
Source: Mastercard
E-commerce
E-commerce giant is yet another tech company that is finding the market increasingly tough. It has already cut 18,000 jobs.
Customer Data
Survey finds 60% of marketing leaders believe collecting customer data while balancing privacy and customer value is now more challenging.
Social Media Consulting
Charge as if you’re employing a small team. It’s not deception, it’s the money you will use to start hiring and scaling the business.
Consumer Health
It is not sufficient for consumers to want to decrease sugar intake. Brands should offer appealing products that help reduce consumption.
Marketing Strategy
Absa Kenya CMO says the fundamentals of marketing remain unchanged, but the practical implementation of strategy is evolving.
INFLUENCERS
Some influencers, themselves sufferers of an ailment, give well-intentioned advice. Others are paid to do so. The consequences are concerning.
AMC News
High-level Chartered Marketer (Africa) programme equips marketers to operate successfully in the continent’s complex and diverse markets.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Socially conscious companies walk a fine line. Excessive emphasis on perception management becomes ‘greenwashing’. Too little is ‘greenhushing’.
Industry Awards
Uganda Marketers Society and Uganda Advertising Association are to be joint custodians of the 2023 Silverback Awards.
Email Marketing
Analysis of more than 10-billion bulk emails sent over three years finds a ‘landscape fundamentally reshaped’ by events.