The study investigates the factors that influence store patronage among low-income consumers in a Cape Town township by exploring the relationships amongst the influencing factors and determining the factors that consumers prioritise. Based on factor and multiple regression analyses of data from a convenience sample of 113 adult shoppers, the study found that relationship-based promotion and convenient branded solutions are among the important factors of store patronage. Store location is a significant influencer of both store satisfaction and store loyalty while store location, store image, and promotion are significant influencers of store loyalty. The study concludes that low-income consumers are not homogeneous in their responses to marketing stimuli designed to elicit store patronage. Retailers need to be clear about the segments to pursue and not assume that all low-income consumers are primarily motivated by low prices.

Despite the support extended to the small business sector in South Africa, the growth and survival rates of small, medium, and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) are lower than expected. This paper investigates business owner and stakeholder perceptions of barriers and enablers of the start-up, survival, and growth of SMMEs in the South African retail sector. A qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews was employed for data collection from samples of stakeholders and business owners. Framework analysis was used to analyse both sets of data. The findings show that the stakeholders and business owners consider the lack of support, competition, skills shortages, and poor internal controls as the key barriers to the start-up, survival, and growth of SMMEs. Stakeholders considered the business environment as the key enabler while the business owners regarded increasing demand as the key enabler. To address the barriers, recommendations relating to skills development, funding, shelter and services, and other business development resources are presented.

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The township market makes the largest contribution to liquor sales in South Africa, but growth, sustainability and success of this market is unsatisfactory. The sector needs assistance to improve their performance. This paper aims at identifying the critical skills and knowledge specific to township liquor retailing. Data was collected through qualitative semi-structured interviews; participants included representatives from provincial government, the top three liquor manufacturers and distributors, and forty liquor retail owners from Khayelitsha and Mitchell's Plain townships. The findings reveal that skills and knowledge (customised to suit township are the foundation for better management of these businesses). The critical skills and knowledge are Operating Capital, Operations Management and Human Resource. Township liquor retailers fail as a result of mistakes that could be avoided through acquiring the right skills and knowledge. The current government and supplier skills and knowledge programmes should be improved and tailored to suit the profile of these entrepreneurs.

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