New year windfall for consumers as Walmart and Massmart launch their third extended price cut promotion

Joburg 06 January 2012

Massmart and Walmart have started the new year with another extended price cut promotion, providing much needed relief for consumers after the festive season...

Massmart achieves best performer status in latest JSE SRI Index

Joburg 07 December 2011

Massmart has been recognised as one of the best performers in the medium environmental impact category of the JSE's 2011 Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Index...

Massmart-Walmart welcomes Namibian Supreme Court decision

Joburg 04 November 2011

The Namibian Supreme Court upholds Walmart’s legal challenge to a Ministerial Notice imposing foreign investment restrictions in Namibia...

MASSMART CONTINUES DRIVE TO IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY

Joburg 13 October 2011

Massmart has reiterated its support for the FoodBank programme, following delivery of 3000kg of Max-a-Meal, to FoodBank South Africa...

MASSMART AND THE SABS TO BOOST SMME COMPETITIVENESS

Joburg 11 October 2011

The quality assurance partnership is a first for South African producers, in light of its intent to promote small enterprise development...

RESPONSE TO ALLEGATION THAT MASSMART HAS REPLACED LOCAL OLIVE OIL PRODUCERS

Joburg 11 October 2011

Makro, which did not sell any locally produced olive oil prior to the Walmart transaction, has recently added Willow Creek Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a locally produced product, to its product range...

Builders Warehouse opens its first store outside of SA

Joburg 23 September 2011

The widely anticipated arrival of Builders Warehouse in Botswana is providing customers with a whole new shopping experience...

MASSMART NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING

Joburg 26 August 2011

Notice is hereby given that a general meeting of Massmart shareholders will be held at Massmart House, 16 Peltier Drive, Sunninghill Ext 6, Sandton, at 14h30 on Wednesday, 28 September 2011...

MASSMART FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR 52 WEEKS ENDING 26 JUNE 2011

Joburg 25 August 2011

Results point to market share gains, possible early indications of improved consumer environment; positive sales update for first 8 weeks of the new financial year...

MASSMART AND WALMART RESPOND TO MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Joburg 02 August 2011

Massmart and Walmart note the media statement issued by the Ministers of Economic Development, Trade and Industry, and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, following a media conference held at the Union Buildings earlier today...

Massmart - Trading Statement for the 52 weeks to 26 June 2011

Joburg 25 July 2011

This trading statement is required in terms of paragraph 3.4 of the JSE Limited Listings Requirments...

SA MERGER LEGISLATION SUFFICIENTLY ROBUST TO PROTECT INTERESTS OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS

Joburg 20 July 2011

In line with the revised parliamentary portfolio committee hearing rules announced by the Chairperson of the portfolio committee at the start of proceedings yesterday, Massmart CEO Grant Pattison’s submission before parliament today dealt primarily with the competition approval process, while highlighting some of the merger benefits.

MASSMART ANNOUNCES SENIOR APPOINTMENT TO HEAD UP R100 MILLION SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Joburg 14 July 2011

In line with Massmart and Walmart's commitment to develop local suppliers, Massmart today announced the appointment of Mncane Mthunzi, current CEO of the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA), as Supplier Development Executive.

Customers to realise immediate benefits from walmart investment in massmart

Joburg 25 June 2011

The companies have moved swiftly on their promised benefits to South African consumers, demonstrating their commitment to significant job creation, and announcing plans for growing an enhanced food offering, the majority of which will be locally sourced...

CHANGES TO MASSMART BOARD ANNOUNCED

Joburg 20 June 2011

Following the completion of Walmart’s acquisition of a controlling interest in Massmart, the group has announced changes to the Massmart Board, effective 20 June 2011.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMPETITION TRIBUNAL APPROVES MERGER AND ACCEPTS CONDITIONS PROPOSED BY WALMART AND MASSMART

Joburg 31 May 2011

The Competition Tribunal today announced that the Walmart and Massmart merger can proceed to finality and has accepted the conditions proposed by Walmart and Massmart, which include the set-up of a R100 million supplier development fund, no merger-related retrenchments for a period of two years as well as continued recognition of SACCAWU for three years post the merger. The Competition Tribunal further acknowledged the undertaking made by the merging parties that preference would be given to re-employing the 503 workers that were retrenched in 2010 prior to the proposed merger being announced.

Competition Tribunal Approves the merger between Walmart Stores Inc & Massmart Holdings Limited

Joburg 31 May 2011

Further to the recommendation of the Competition Commission in terms of section 14A(1)(b)...

Walmart & Massmart MAINTAIN conditions are not necessary, PROPOSE COMMITMENTS to demonstrate goodwill in sOUTH AFRICA

Joburg 16 May 2011

In today’s closing arguments before the Competition Tribunal, merging parties Massmart and Walmart maintained that no conditions were necessary but to demonstrate goodwill, they made commitments to the various stakeholders in this transaction. The merged parties indicated to the Tribunal that it may impose these commitments as conditions on the merger. Among these commitments, Walmart and Massmart proposed to establish a R100 million supplier development fund if the proposed merger between the two companies is approved by the Competition Tribunal.

Economic expert says merger could deliver significant welfare benefits

Joburg 13 May 2011

RBB Economics co-founding partner and expert witness Simon Baker has cautioned against attempts to address perceived weaknesses in the South African manufacturing base or failings in the enforcement of labour law elsewhere in the world by imposing onerous and asymmetric obligations on a non-dominant retail business.

MASSMART SAYS IMPOSING PROCUREMENT TARGETS MAY LEAD TO JOB LOSSES

Joburg 10 May 2011

Massmart CEO Grant Pattison has spoken out against some of the conditions that the trade unions and Government Departments seek to have the Competition Tribunal impose on Massmart/Wal-Mart, saying the merged entity would be severely prejudiced and would not be able to compete on an equal footing with its competitors.

MASSMART SAYS LOCAL PROCUREMENT MAKES COMMERCIAL SENSE

Joburg 10 May 2011

Massmart CEO Grant Pattison has spelt out Massmart’s approach to procurement,  demonstrating that the decision to source goods locally or to import them drew on far more than a simple price comparison and explaining why local procurement made good business sense.

MASSMART REPORTS SOLID RESULTS.

Joburg 24 February 2011

Massmart, Africa’s third largest distributor of consumer goods, has delivered solid first -half results, although the softer sales growth since Christmas suggests that the South African economy may not yet be in a sustainable recovery.

COMPETITION COMMISSION RECOMMENDS UNCONDITIONAL APPROVAL OF WAL-MART TRANSACTION

Joburg 12 February 2011

Massmart and Wal-Mart have been notified that the Competition Commission has concluded its investigation and has referred Wal-Mart’s proposed acquisition of 51% of Massmart’s equity to the Competition Tribunal with a recommendation that the transaction be approved without conditions.

MASSMART SHAREHOLDERS APPROVE WALMART OFFER

Joburg 17 January 2011

Massmart shareholders have voted in favour of Walmart’s offer to acquire 51% of Massmart at a cash price of R148.00 per share. At a special meeting held at Massmart's offices in Johannesburg on 17 January 2011, 97.67% percent of shareholders present and entitled to vote, voted in favour of the deal, more than the 75% that was required.

MASSMART - WALMART APPROACH FORMALISED AS MASSMART RECEIVES FIRM OFFER FOR CONTROLLING INTEREST

Joburg 29 November 2010

The Board of Directors of Massmart has received written notice from Walmart of its firm intention to make an all cash offer to acquire 51% of Massmart at a cash price of R148.00 per Massmart ordinary share by way of a scheme of arrangement.

WALMART - WALMART CONFIRMS OFFER TO ACQUIRE 51% OF MASSMART

Joburg 29 November 2010

BENTONVILLE, Ark., November 29, 2010 – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) announced today that it has offered to acquire 51% of the shares of Massmart Holdings Limited (JSE:MSM) for ZAR148.00 per Massmart ordinary share.

REACTION TO ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVISORY PANEL ANNOUNCED BY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MINISTER EBRAHIM PATEL

Joburg 15 November 2010

Massmart supports the principle of broad engagement in decisions that affect diverse stakeholder interests.

MASSMART RESPONDS TO SACCAWU ANTI-WAL-MART COALITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Joburg 03 November 2010

Massmart is aware that SACCAWU conducted a press conference today to launch a coalition against the potential acquisition by Wal-Mart of equity in Massmart. We first became aware of this initiative through media enquiries received on Monday, 1 November 2010. Massmart’s CEO subsequently, on 2 November 2010, established contact with the President of SACCAWU to better understand the union’s position.

MASSMART CONTINUES DRIVE TO IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY: DONATES 12 TONS OF MAX-A-MEAL TO FOODBANK SOUTH AFRICA SINCE 2009

Joburg 28 October 2010

Massmart confirms its ongoing commitment to the FoodBank programme through its donation of a fourth 3 000kg delivery of Max-a-Meal to FoodBank South Africa (FBSA). This most recent donation to the Johannesburg hub will provide 36 000 individual meals to people in Pretoria, Tembisa, Alexandra, Soweto, Ivory Park and suburbs on the East and West Rand.

MASSMART ENDORSES EMPLOYEE UNION RIGHTS

Joburg 28 September 2010

Massmart notes the comments that have been made regarding perceptions of Walmart’s union relationships. Massmart management is mindful that a corporate transaction of this nature should be aligned with the rights of all Massmart’s stakeholders, which clearly includes the rights that unions have negotiated in our organisation.

MASSMART RECEIVES NON-BINDING EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FROM WALMART

Joburg 27 September 2010

This morning, Massmart issued a cautionary announcement on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange informing our stakeholders that we have received a non-binding expression of interest from Walmart that could lead to a cash offer of R148 per share for the entire issued share capital of the company.

MASSMART PUNTS CAMBRIDGE TO GROW FOOD BUSINESS

Joburg 12 July 2010

Massmart, though its operating division Masscash would expand its food business using Cambridge Food stores by catering to the lower end of the market, a move analysts say could pay dividends for the group in the future.

GAME COMMITTED TO RAPID RE-OPENING OF LAKESIDE MALL STORE

Joburg 03 June 2010 - Update 2 : 09h00

Following the fire at the Game store in Lakeside Mall on 1st June 2010, Game management's focus is on re-opening the store as quickly as possible and taking action to minimise inconvenience for customers.

FIRE AT GAME LAKESIDE MALL, BENONI

Joburg 02 June 2010 - Update 1 : 10h00

Game management confirms that there were no reported casualties after a fire broke out at Game Lakeside Mall in Benoni on 1 June at approximately 4.15 pm.

FIRE AT GAME LAKESIDE MALL, BENONI

Joburg 02 June 2010 : 08h00

Game management confirms that there were no reported casualties after a fire broke out at Game Lakeside Mall in Benoni on 1 June at approximately 4.15 pm.

MAKRO AND GAME FEEL WORLD CUP FEVER

Joburg 28 May 2010

Makro and Game, part of the Massmart group, are gearing up for increased consumer demand as the FIFA World Cup 2010 event draws near.

MASSMART ACHIEVES TOP EMPLOYMENT EQUITY RANKING IN LEADING EMPOWERMENT SURVEY

Joburg 7 May 2010

Massmart Holdings is the retail sector's top Employment Equity performer and holds its own among South Africa's top EE achievers - the group was ranked sixth overall in this important empowerment category, according to the Financial Mail's Top Empowerment Companies Survey 2010.

2010 A MILESTONE YEAR FOR MASSMART THUTHUKANI EMPOWERMENT BENEFICIARIES

Joburg 20 April 2010

2010 is set to be a lucrative year for beneficiaries of the Massmart Thuthukani Empowerment Trust, created for the benefit of permanent staff.

BUSINESS DAY: THE BOTTOM LINE

Joburg 26 February 2010

IT CAN be surprising to hear a CEO sound humble, especially when it is a retailer whose job is to sell — which at reporting time is inevitably themselves.

MASSMART ACHIEVEs LEVEL FOUR BBBEE RATING

Joburg 10 February 2010

The Massmart Group of companies has achieved a Level Four Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) contributor status, two years earlier than planned. Massmart achieved a score of 66.14% from ratings agency Empowerdex, following a comprehensive audit of the Group’s BBBEE performance.

MASSMART CONTINUES FIGHT AGAINST FOOD INSECURITY

Joburg 5 February 2010

As part of an ongoing drive towards improving food security Massmart today donated a further 3 000kg of Max-a-Meal to the Johannesburg branch of the FoodBank programme, following similar donations made during 2009. The programme is part of the feeding schemes established by international NGO Global Foodbanking Network. Massmart has donated a total of 9 tons of Max-a-Meal to FoodBank during the past 18 months. This is in addition to the ongoing support that the Group provides to school feeding schemes.

MASSMART NOT A PREDATOR, BUT A KEEN COMPETITOR

Joburg 7 December 2009

Today's Business Report in its letter section carries a response from Mark Lamberti to last weeks article Massmart plan for funds to take out rivals is 'sinister' - tribunal" that they do not have any evidence that Massmart's business practices tended to the anti-competitive with regards to the acquisition of Finro. a>Business Report, December 3). He indicates that the Competition Tribunal is inconsistent in its pronouncements and Mark goes on to argue that the comments in the article where from a board meeting five years ago and mentions that what is relevant is that companies abide by the letter and spirit of the law and seek every opportunity to beat competitors either by differentiating their goods and services or by offering the lowest price through being more efficient.

MASSMART POSITION ON NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ABOUT THE COMPETITION TRIBUNAL’S REPORT COVERING THE ACQUISITION OF FINRO

Joburg 3 December 2009

On 23 September, Masscash, a division of Massmart Holdings, was notified that the Competition Tribunal had unconditionally approved the proposed merger between Masscash and Port Elizabeth based Finro Enterprises, trading as Finro Cash & Carry.

In approving the deal the Tribunal noted the merger would not lead to a substantial prevention or lessening of competition in the wholesale grocery market in Port Elizabeth.

SACCAWU CALLS OFF INDUSTRIAL ACTION AT BUILDERS WAREHOUSE

Joburg 27 November 2009

The industrial action that was initiated by SACCAWU on 20 November was officially called off on 25 November 2009, following agreement between the parties. In terms of the agreement, the union has accepted the company’s initial offer of an across-the-board (ATB) increase of R370.

WAGE RELATED INDUSTRIAL ACTION AT BUILDERS WAREHOUSE

Joburg 20 November 2009

Builders Warehouse has, after ongoing discussions with SACCAWU, been notified of the union’s intention to embark on industrial action starting 20 November 2009.

COMPETITION TRIBUNAL APPROVES FINRO ACQUISITION

Joburg 23rd September 2009

Masscash, a division of Massmart Holdings, has been notified that the Competition Tribunal has unconditionally approved the proposed merger between Masscash and Finro Enterprises, trading as Finro Cash & Carry.

GAME AND SACCAWU REACH WAGE SETTLEMENT

Joburg 1st September 2009

The management of Game SA and SACCAWU, today signed a wage settlement agreement at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), following the wage dispute declared on 13 August 2009. The union has accepted an across the board increase of R375 which will be back dated to 1st July 2009. Game SA staff will return to work on Thursday 3 September 2009, thereby allowing the union sufficient time to communicate details of the settlement to its members.

MASSMART DONATES ADDITIONAL 3 000KGS OF MAX-A-MEAL TO THE CITY DEEP FOODBANK

Joburg 31st August 2009

Massmart, announces its donation of a second 3 000kg delivery of Max-a-Meal to the Johannesburg FoodBank, following a similar donation made in April 2009. This most recent donation was made to the City Deep branch, which distributes food to Pretoria, Tembisa, Alexandra, Soweto, Ivory Park and suburbs on the East and West Rand.

CCMA DETERMINATION REGARDING PICKETING RULES FAVOURS MASSDISCOUNTERS

Joburg 21st August 2009

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) today ruled in favour of Massdiscounters (Game and Dion) in an application brought by SACCAWU regarding picketing rights inside the company’s stores.

UPDATE REGARDING WAGE RELATED INDUSTRIAL ACTION AT MAKRO AND GAME

Joburg 18th August 2009

Makro staff have returned to work today (19 August) following the settlement of the wage dispute declared by SACCAWU. The union has accepted an increase of R460 across the board or 7.5%, whichever is the greater.

CORRECTION OF INACCURATE WAGE DEADLOCK REPORTS AT JUMBO CASH AND CARRY

Joburg 13th August, 2009

Contrary to recent press reports apparently informed by a SACCAWU press release, Jumbo Cash and Carry has not reached deadlock in wage negotiations with the union.

NOTIFICATION OF WAGE RELATED INDUSTRIAL ACTION AT GAME STORES

Joburg 13th August, 2009

Game was, on 13 August, 2009, notified by SACCAWU, of the union’s intention to embark on protected industrial action commencing on 17 August, 2009. This follows the declaration of a wage dispute by the union on 29 July, 2009, after the failure of intensive mediation efforts at the Council for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

WAGE RELATED INDUSTRIAL ACTION AT MAKRO STORES

Joburg 11th August, 2009

Makro has, after ongoing discussions with SACCAWU, been notified of the union’s intention to embark on indefinite industrial action starting on 8 August 2009. Makro has accordingly implemented labour unrest contingency plans which will include the use of trained non-permanent staff to provide cover for the full duration of the industrial action.

MAKRO AND GAME RESPOND TO SACCAWU DEMANDS

Joburg 27th July, 2009

MAKRO and GAME management have reviewed the demands tabled by SACCAWU in the memoranda that were handed over during the one day of protest action (24 July) and have provided the union with a written response.

GAME AND MAKRO STORES TRADING NORMALLY

Joburg 24th July, 2009

The protest action by SACCAWU has had no notable impact on trading activities at Makro and Game stores and all stores are open for normal trade.

NOTIFICATION OF ONE DAY OF SACCAWU PROTEST ACTION AT GAME STORES

Joburg 20th July, 2009

GAME has been notified that SACCAWU members employed by the company will engage in one day of protest action on 24 July. This will include a union-led march to Durban City Hall. Game has implemented labour unrest contingency plans and all stores will trade normally on the 24th.

NOTIFICATION OF ONE DAY OF SACCAWU PROTEST ACTION AT MAKRO STORES

Joburg 20th July, 2009

MAKRO has been notified that SACCAWU members employed by the company will engage in one day of protest action on 24 July. This will include a union-led march to Durban City Hall and the company’s service centre in Sunninghill Johannesburg.

MASSMART DONATES 3 000KGS OF MAX-A-MEAL TO THE JOHANNESBURG FOODBANK

Joburg 7th April, 2009

Massmart, the third largest distributor of consumer goods in Africa, announces its donation of 3 000kg of Max-a-meal into the newly established Johannesburg FoodBank, which distributes food to Pretoria, Tembisa, Alexandra, Soweto, Ivory Park and at times Nelspruit.

MASSMART STAFF RECEIVE FIFTH EMPOWERMENT DIVIDEND PAYOUT

Joburg 23rd March, 2009

A dividend of 189 cents, equivalent to 75% of the Massmart ordinary dividend per share, was paid into Massmart’s Thuthukani Staff Empowerment Trust on Monday 23 March 2009.

MASSMART AND UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA BURSARY OPENS DOORS FOR BLACK COMMERCE STUDENTS

Joburg 19th March, 2009

Massmart Holdings and University of Pretoria have recently launched a bursary scheme aimed at previously disadvantaged black undergraduates (preferably women) studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce.

FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR 26 WEEKS ENDING 28 DECEMBER 2008

Joburg 26th February, 2009

Massmart, Africa’s third largest distributor of consumer goods, today announced good overall results for the period ending December 2008, underpinned by powerful cash generation.

MASSMART ACHIEVES LEVEL FIVE BBBEE RATING

Joburg 9th February, 2009

Massmart Holdings has achieved a Level Five Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) contributor status from ratings agency Empowerdex, following a comprehensive audit of the Group’s BBBEE performance.

MAKRO, FUJITSU SIEMENS COMPUTERS AND DESCO RECYCLERS BEGIN ROLLOUT OF E-WASTE BIN

Joburg 8th December, 2008

Consumers and businesses will soon be able to dispose of their electronic waste free of charge at specially designed bins situated at Makro stores countrywide. This follows the successful launch of a pilot project at Makro Woodmead in July 2008.

MASSMART ONCE AGAIN RECOGNISED AS "BEST PERFORMER" IN SRI INDEX

Joburg 28th November, 2008

Massmart has, for the second year running, been recognised as a best performer in the medium environmental impact category of the JSE’s 2008 Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Index. The Index measures the performance of companies in terms of a comprehensive set of socially responsible dimensions that include economic, environmental, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) social and corporate governance practices.

MASSMART RANKED THIRD IN LOW EMISSIONS SECTOR OF 2008 CARBON DISCLOSURE PROJECT REPORT COVERING TOP 100 JSE COMPANIES

Joburg 20th November, 2008

Massmart is pleased to announce it has been ranked third, with a score of 90 out of 100, in the Low-Carbon Companies sector of the international Carbon Disclosure Project’s (CDP) South African Report.

MASSMART STAFF RECEIVE FOURTH EMPOWERMENT DIVIDEND PAYOUT

Joburg 10th November, 2008

Beneficiaries of the Massmart Thuthukani Staff Empowerment Trust have seen a massive increase in the value of the dividends earned on their shares since the first dividend payout in April 2007.

NEW DIVISIONAL CEO FOR BUILDERS WAREHOUSE

Joburg 6th November, 2008

Massmart, the third largest distributor of consumer goods in Africa announces the appointment of Llewellyn Walters as Divisional CEO of Builders Warehouse, effective 1 November. Walters takes up the post recently vacated by Audrey Cimring, who will emigrate to Canada on 14 November.

AN ORCHID FOR MASSMART'S IN-HOUSE MAGAZINE

Joburg 27th September, 2008

Companies seldom understand the importance of internal communication as part of their marketing mix. They are so focused on the external - customers - that they fail to talk to their own staff and, in so doing, fail to start a dialogue which can be vital for the business. Informed staff can be motivated staff - and motivated staff means happier customers and better sales.

FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR 53 WEEKS ENDING 29 JUNE 2008 MASSMART DELIVERS STRONG RESULTS IN CHALLENGING CONSUMER ENVIRONMENT

Joburg 21st August 2008

In an economic environment dominated by rising food and fuel prices and higher interest rates, Massmart, Africa’s third largest distributor of consumer goods today announced strong overall results for the year ending June 2008.

FUJITSU SIEMENS COMPUTERS AND MAKRO TEAM UP TO DISPOSE OF E-WASTE

Joburg 31st July 2008

Fujitsu Siemens Computers and Makro have partnered in a joint initiative to provide consumers and businesses with a safe and environmentally-sensitive method of recycling electronic waste (e-waste). E-waste poses a potential environmental threat and this initiative underlines Fujitsu Siemens Computers and Makro’s commitment to protect the environment for the future.

MASSMART RECEIVES ACCA AWARD FOR BEST SUSTAINABILITY REPORT - NON-EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES

Joburg 28 July, 2008

Massmart is pleased to announce it has been presented with the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) award for the Best Sustainability Report (Non-Extractive Industries), South Africa.

MASSMART ACHIEVES “BEST PERFORMER” RATING IN JSE SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT (SRI) INDEX ASSESSMENT

Joburg 29 November, 2007

Massmart has been recognised as the best performer in the medium environmental impact category of the JSE’s 2007 Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Index. The Index, which assesses the triple bottom line and governance performance of listed entities, classifies companies as having ‘high environmental impact’ (mining sector), ‘medium environmental impact’ (retailers) and ‘low environmental impact’ (financial sector).

MASSMART IMPROVES TRADING TERMS FOR NON-PROFIT CONDOM ORGANISATION

Joburg 28 November, 2007

Massmart is addressing HIV/Aids in South Africa by identifying areas in which it can help curb the spread of disease. The group which is one of a few select organisations that provides free ARV treatment to its permanent employees and their spouses has recently improved the trading terms for non-profit condom supplier, Society for Family Health (SFH).

MASSMART ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Joburg 07 November, 2007

At Massmart, we have become more focused on the risks that climate change, environmental degradation and proliferation of waste pose to our business and to society, and we are starting to explore the role that we play in contributing to these impacts.

MASSMART STAFF RECEIVE A SECOND EMPOWERMENT DIVIDEND

Joburg 31 October, 2007

In a statement issued today, Massmart Holdings delivered a second dividend payment to permanent staff participating in the Thuthukani Staff Empowerment Trust.

BOUWLAND WINE SALES SOAR IN MAKRO STORES

Joburg 20 August, 2007

Bouwland Wine Estate near Stellenbosch has increased sales by 486% year on year. Currently, Bouwland produces two types of wine; Bouwland Chenin Blanc 2003 and Bouwland Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2002.

MASSMART AWARDS RESEARCH GRANT TO UNISA’S CENTRE FOR CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP

Joburg 13 August, 2007

Massmart has awarded an annual grant of R100 000 to the Centre for Corporate Citizenship (CCC) at UNISA to do research and host a series of discussion groups on brand citizenship. The practice of corporate citizenship is regarded as one of the major debates of this century. The role of brands in advancing good corporate citizenship should therefore be seen as a vital part of this very important debate. The CCC is already regarded as thought leaders in the broad field of corporate citizenship in SA and made the strategic decision to include brand citizenship as a vital part of its critical reflection, research and education.

VENTURE CAPITAL REACHES THE POOREST OF THE POOR RURAL HOUSEHOLDS

Joburg 16 July, 2007

The first thing that project manager Ben Nkuna did when he joined the Women Development Businesses (WDB) last year was to relocate the micro-financing division from Hyde Park to Acornhoek in Mpumalanga. “I needed to be nearer my clients,” he says.

MAKRO APPLAUDS TOP PRINCIPALS

Joburg 10 July, 2007

To coincide with the recent National Youth Month celebrations, the Gauteng Department of Education, under the direction of Gugu Khumalo of the Johannesburg East District, identified 18 disadvantaged schools across six districts that have achieved outstanding results during the 2006 academic year.

MASSMART DELIVERS TO STAFF

Joburg 21 March, 2007

In a statement issued today, mass merchandise retailer, Massmart delivered the first dividend payment to permanent staff participating in the Staff Empowerment Transaction announced by the Group in May 2006. This transaction involved placing 18 million shares representing approximately 9% of Massmart’s equity in trust for the benefit of Massmart’s permanent staff.

MASSMART FOCUSES ON DEVELOPMENT OF BLACK CAREER RETAILERS

Joburg 08 March, 2007

Twenty-two graduate managers-in-waiting gathered recently at Massmart to start a two year programme that is intended to increase the number of professional black career retailers in the Group. The aim of this initiative is to prepare black graduates for permanent roles of greater influence within the Massmart Group and to expose them to as many areas of the company’s activities as possible.