“Taxi Ranks: South Africa’s Largest Consumer Marketplace,” where you can explore how commuters engage with brands, retailers, informal traders and media during their journeys.Taxi ranks are rarely thought of as marketplaces. They are commonly viewed as transport interchanges—places where commuters board taxis and continue their journeys. Yet beneath this functional purpose lies one of South...Continue Reading
The South African minibus taxi industry represents one of the country’s most remarkable examples of an informal economy functioning at scale. Every day, millions of people rely on it because it consistently delivers what matters most: accessibility, availability, and the ability to reach almost any destination. Understanding this ecosystem is essential for understanding the South...Continue Reading
Our exploration of cultural relevance focused on two key dimensions that are shaping modern South African consumer culture: youth culture and mass market culture. While culture has many layers, these two areas emerged as the strongest indicators of how consumer behaviour, communication, and brand perceptions are evolving.The first dimension is youth culture, arguably the fastest-evolving...Continue Reading
Mogorosi Mashilo, Founder and Director of TrendER, was invited as a panel expert on CNBC Africa’s Marketing, Media & Money programme to discuss Business Insights on Loyalty Programmes. During the discussion, he shared strategic perspectives on how loyalty programmes have evolved beyond simple rewards mechanisms into powerful business tools that influence consumer behaviour, strengthen customer...Continue Reading
Understanding the Multifaceted Consumer: Consumers Beyond Data Points Consumers are not as homogeneous as brands sometimes assume them to be. Their worlds are complex, layered and constantly evolving. An individual is not defined by only one aspect of their life. They are shaped by many touchpoints, roles, environments and life experiences. They may be a...Continue Reading
The Zeitgeist in our sociological setting dictates that the lighter one is – from a pigmentation point of view – the lighter you are on the eye. Is this a complete fallacy or a truism crafted by society that would have to be adapted as a norm? Pearl Thusi, actress and radio personality, relays in...Continue Reading
The question needs to be asked whether the average South African is a value driven centric customer or a mere luxury-oriented customer that comes from the back of a poverty-stricken history and is now enabled thus strives for the finer things in life. Bundled goods in our market will always lead sells when we speak...Continue Reading
Regardless of the facts presented before me, I reiterate that my misinformed obscure perspective is still valid whether you like it or not – Oksalayo. The Oksalayo type’s resilience and perseverance is one to be admired. The bank balance maybe sitting on R0.00 under saving, however the Oksalayo type will tap into that cheque account...Continue Reading
Township restaurants have revolutionised its traditional servings to incorporate nouvelle cuisine, gone are the days we had simple pap and meat enter an age where servings are given a special twist. As we speak modern technology through to modern marketing, so has the cuisine industry in the township adapted to this zeitgeist. Staple food such...Continue Reading
A man is not an island – our South African traditional cultures have taught us this sentiment from the stages of infancy, Ubuntu – the spirit of togetherness. The opinions of those we hold dear to our hearts and the community at large matter. We live in a zeitgeist that vehemently vouches for the “bazo...Continue Reading
