SOUTH AFRICA – The South African Breweries (SAB) has launched of a digital learning platform, Retail Academy that will empower small businesses with skills, knowledge, and tools to thrive and operate sustainably.
Through the program, SAB which is a subsidiary of the world’s largest brewer, AB InBev, will help retail businesses acquire digital skills in business strategy, sales, operations and finance among others.
According to the brewer, the skills will empower small businesses and help them in sustaining their businesses for the long run. Retailers will benefit through tips on responsible business growth and operation.
Barbara Copelovici, director of entrepreneurship and ESG at SAB said, “In recognition of Entrepreneurship Month, SAB reiterates its commitment to driving inclusive growth across our communities.
We do so by focusing on upskilling women and youth entrepreneurs who are then equipped to make a meaningful contribution to the communities they operate in.”
The academy is powered by SAB Sharp and will be facilitated through the BEES platform, a digital program that connects an individual with their wholesaler, forming part of the ongoing Responsible Retailer Programme (RTP).
Through RTP, outlets are trained and audited in accordance with legal requirements and global principles based on responsible trading.
Approximately 4,500 retailers will be enrolled on the pilot program, with the overall goal of the program capped at 35,000 small businesses and entrepreneurs by 2025.
Businesses must be licensed retailers trading with SAB and must fall within the BEES regulatory standards set out for retailers to participate in the program.
“Through various programmes, SAB established entrepreneurship as a key priority that seeks to support social innovators, farmers, retailers and SMEs by driving growth through several empowerment interventions,” added Copelovici.
SAB is South Africa’s leading brewer and one of the nation’s most admired companies. The company operates 7 breweries and 42 depots in South Africa with an annual brewing capacity of 3.1 billion litres according to the company’s LinkedIn profile.
Its portfolio of beer brands meets the needs of a wide range of consumers and includes brands rich in heritage such as Castle Lager, Hansa Pilsener, and Carling Black Label.
The launch of the program comes barely a month after the minister of small business development, Stella Ndabeni, called on established businesses to rally behind small businesses to help address the menace of unemployment.
While speaking at the South African Breweries Inaugural Beyond Awards in Sandton, Johannesburg, she said experience across the globe has demonstrated that majority of jobs are created by small and medium enterprises.
The minister described the relationship with SAB as one of the critical stakeholders and partners in the empowerment and development of small businesses.
