Key characteristics of General Trade and how market research can mitigate risk
General Trade, also known as Traditional Trade, operates quite differently from the Formal Trade Sector, which typically features large, widely dispersed retail outlets that shoppers visit by car or public transport. Here’s a breakdown of the defining characteristics of General Trade: 1. High Outlet Density and Small Store Sizes In General Trade, customers often travel […]
African Union Summit Highlights a Decade of Economic Transformation
African Development Bank Group President, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, delivered a compelling farewell address to Heads of State and Government at the 38th African Union Summit, highlighting a decade of remarkable achievements by the Bank in driving Africa’s economic transformation. Adesina’s participation at the continental gathering, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ended on a high note […]
The Complexities of General Trade in Southeast Asia
What is General Trade? General trade, also known as traditional trade, refers to the small, often family-owned retail outlets that dominate the market landscape in many developing regions. These are typically informal businesses like small grocery stores, kiosks, and street vendors that operate outside the modern retail sector. Unlike modern trade, which involves large, organized […]
DIGITAL INCLUSION IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN INFORMAL TRADE – PART 2
Authors: Liesl Pearson & Marilu Smit Click here to read Part 1 A 2023 study1 by Forbes and Mastercard found that 91% of respondents in South Africa’s informal economy prefer non-cash payments, driven by safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. This underscores the significant impact of the pandemic on consumer behaviour in the informal sector. […]
DIGITIAL INCLUSION OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN INFORMAL TRADE MARKET – Part 1
Digital inclusion in South Africa’s informal trade sector is a pivotal element of the country’s economic fabric, given the substantial contribution of the informal sector to the economy and employment. The informal market primarily comprises of businesses in townships, rural, and outlying areas, and is estimated at 600 billion rand annually according to GG Alcock […]