So here’s a thing: SPAR South Africa (you know the one: cheerful, unpretentious, jolly green logo) has just dropped a relatively modest R690million or about three Swiss francs for a 60% stake in SPAR Switzerland (mountains, cheese, chocolate, posh watches). SPAR Switzerland apparently had some succession issues and was looking for someone to come in and sort them out. While SPAR SA’s bid was not necessarily the best financially, the Swiss outfit liked the South African business, upon which, interestingly they had based their own operation. SPAR Switzerland is a smaller though still substantial business, turning over around R12.5billion per annum, compared with R56billion here in the Beloved Country. In other SPAR news, local CEO Graham O’Connor has been appointed chairman of SPAR International.

Comment: A big week all round. Fantastic news there SPAR and veels geluk Mr O’C.

Woolies CEO Mr Ian “The Transporter” Moir, he of the sharp suit and the gimlet eye, is offloading about a third of his shares in the dapper retailer, amounting to almost R60millions worth of the much-admired stock. This, apparently, to settle the tax bill on his vested restricted share plan (Anyone? Anyone? Us neither.) and also to diversify his portfolio. This has caused certain analysts to get jumping, suggesting that better returns are to be made elsewhere and that now might not be the time to buy Woolies shares. Woolies has also mentioned that it expects toughish times in its two major markets, SA and Aus, for the forseeable future.

Comment: But come on. By our estimation, Mr M still owns R120-odd mils worth of Woolies stock, enough of a vote of confidence to satisfy the meanest-spirited analyst out there, surely.

In the past seven years, Tiger Brands has spent R25million on produce from emerging farmers across all nine provinces, benefiting more than 80 of those industrious sons (and presumably daughters) of the soil. Reading like a kitchen challenge from Masterchef, Tiger’s shopping list is composed largely of tomatoes, white beans, figs and butternuts, of which about 23,000 tons are procured annually, plus the occasional pig from one of the farmers. Nice work. The other Tiger news this week is that they've appointed a new CEO, Lawrence MacDougall, previously regional president for Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa of snacking giant Mondelez International, and the market, liking his industry experience, has rewarded the Striped One with a 4.4% jump in the share price. MacDougall will be tasked with returning Tiger to profitable growth after the write downs from their unfortunate Nigerian adventure.

Comment: A tough time to take the helm, but a solid appointment by all accounts.

Respected German skincare brand Nivea Men have been a sponsor of crack Spanish soccer team Real Madrid since 2013, a match made in metro-heaven, when you think about it. For Real Madrid, a handsome sponsorship and a brand which shares its manly virtues of teamwork and a passion for winning. For Nivea, association with the young gods of the beautiful game. And now the whole shooting party is coming here: Beiersdorf South Africa are launching a series of communications campaigns featuring such Real Madrid stars as Marcelo, Isco, Gareth Bale and Dani Carvajal, handing out legit merchandise and offering one hundred South Africans the chance to travel to Spain and watch their heroes practice and play.

Comment: Nice one – great profile for a great brand, and nice for SA to be on the global map of campaigns like this.

Comment: Could do better, those scallywags down in procurement.