Africa’s Scangroup and Smollan launch JV

The new firm, Smollan East Africa, will focus on field marketing, ensuring that brands remain in stock and visible to consumers. This will involve consumer and shopper research to develop product designs and other merchandising criteria for particular regions.

Scangroup chief executive Bharat Thakrar said: “This expertise will offer our multinational clients an opportunity to outsource their field marketing services in the region to ensure adequate stock levels in all retail outlets and supermarkets. This will reduce out-of-stock situations and ensure superior shopper contact in order to boost sales.”

In 2007 Scangroup formed a joint venture with Millward Brown to provide market research services in both east and west Africa.

Smollan, which was founded in 1931 by former South African international rugby player Fred Smollan, is also part-owned by WPP.