While many retailers may argue there is no such thing as a good year in their industry, the fact is South African retailers have never had it better. The economy has stabilised, and while possibly not showing the growth rate it should, is far more predictable than in the past.

Interest rates are also at historic lows and the rand exchange rate is less prone to wild swings, allowing for predictable pricing. Then there has been the R15 billion in tax cuts that Finance Minister Trevor Manual has handed consumers, particularly those in the lower income brackets.