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From Beach to Baskets: Shoprite Checkers’ Jet Ski Delivery Turns Heads in Cape Town

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From Beach to Baskets: Shoprite Checkers’ Jet Ski Delivery Turns Heads in Cape Town

 

In an innovative marketing move that has captured the imagination of South Africans, Checkers, part of the Shoprite Group Holdings, has tested out the use of jet skis for grocery deliveries. The unique service was recently spotted on the beaches of Clifton, Cape Town, where a branded Checkers Sixty60 jet ski delivered ice lollies to a boat, ensuring they remained perfectly frozen during delivery. The video of the branded jet ski in action quickly went viral on social media, amassing over 1.6 million views and sparking widespread interest in the new initiative.

From Beach to Baskets: Shoprite Checkers' Jet Ski Delivery Turns Heads in Cape Town

An Innovative Beach Delivery Concept

The innovative jet ski delivery was part of the Checkers Sixty60 campaign, which aims to highlight the speed and convenience of its grocery delivery service. Videos of the jet ski at Clifton Beach drew widespread admiration, with many commenting on the “flippen brilliant” idea. Aqeela Jayy, one social media user, called it a “brilliant innovative plan,” while others marveled at how it could enhance beach outings, allowing beachgoers to order food and drinks directly to their location.

Checkers’ jet ski delivery service was showcased in an ad where the jet ski quickly navigated the water to deliver goods, including ice lollies, to a boat in a demonstration of just how fast the service could be. The company’s cheeky slogan, “Checkers will literally cross the ocean for you,” caught the attention of many who were eager to see if this service would become a permanent feature at the beach.

A Growing Social Media Frenzy

The idea of a jet ski delivering goods sparked excitement, with many social media users expressing a desire to see the service officially rolled out in time for Boxing Day (December 26). This holiday typically sees thousands flock to the beaches in Cape Town, and many eagerly questioned whether the service would be available at popular beach spots.

Rashied Mohammed Salie, a social media commenter, described the service as “world-class,” stating that he would use it every time he visited the beach if it were available. He painted an image of a future where beachgoers could enjoy a cold beverage or snack delivered directly to them by a jet ski, making it a perfect addition to summer outings.

However, not everyone was convinced. Several users questioned the practicality of the service. One comment raised concerns about how the delivery driver would locate customers among the crowds of beachgoers, especially during the busy holiday season. Monique Gedult questioned how jet skis would navigate the crowded waters, especially with hundreds of people frequenting popular beaches.

Concerns from Local Businesses

While some beachgoers welcomed the convenience of jet ski deliveries, others, like Michail Adams, a beach ice cream vendor at Camps Bay, expressed concern about the potential impact on small businesses. Adams, who relies on his beach trading permit to support his family, argued that larger retailers like Checkers might harm the livelihoods of small traders by offering easy, online food delivery services.

Adams emphasized that the essence of a Cape Town beach experience lies in purchasing from local vendors who provide a unique, hands-on experience. “It’s frustrating that big shops are taking business away from small traders,” Adams said, noting that many people prefer the variety of options available through online orders, which could potentially hurt small vendors who already face competition from large retailers.

A Marketing Masterstroke

Despite the concerns from local businesses, many social media users saw the jet ski delivery as an inventive way to market Checkers’ Sixty60 service, which promises quick grocery deliveries. Joel Steenkamp, a social media user, praised the timing of the campaign, saying, “People are beaching, what better way to market your brand than using a jet ski?” The idea of capturing selfies with a delivery driver on a jet ski further fueled the excitement surrounding the campaign.

Other users, like Charl Bremmer, emphasized that the key message behind the jet ski delivery was Checkers’ commitment to speed and convenience. “The message here is obviously that they are super fast with deliveries, and that it’s as fast as a jet ski,” Bremmer said, acknowledging the playful marketing approach.

A Fun, Yet Practical, Campaign

As the jet ski deliveries continue to gain attention, questions remain about the feasibility of rolling out this service on a larger scale. Would it work at all beaches, or would it be restricted to certain locations? Could it be expanded to include other summer destinations like Muizenberg or Strandfontein?

While some question the logistics and practicality of using jet skis for grocery deliveries, others are simply enjoying the novelty of it. With Checkers showing that they’re willing to explore unconventional methods to stand out in the competitive retail market, the jet ski campaign has definitely made waves, both online and in the water.

 

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Union Bank Honoured by ASBON at Nigeria National SME Business Awards

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Union Bank Honoured by ASBON at Nigeria National SME Business Awards

 

 

Lagos, Nigeria – Union Bank of Nigeria has reaffirmed its reputation as a strong supporter of Nigerian businesses, receiving the Best SME Growth Banking Initiatives Award for 2025 from the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON) at the Nigeria National SME Business Awards, held recently in Lagos.

The award was presented to the Bank in recognition of its strategic leadership in advancing the growth and resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises, through a differentiated suite of solutions designed to enable business expansion and long-term value creation.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Bank, Ayokunnumi Abraham, Head of SME Segment at Union Bank, described the recognition as a strong endorsement of the Bank’s commitment to supporting small and medium-sized businesses. He said:

“We are honoured to receive this recognition, which reflects Union Bank’s continued commitment to helping SMEs grow by making banking simpler, faster, and more accessible. Through enhancements to our specialised platforms such as Union360, we have meaningfully reduced the time it takes for businesses to come on board and begin transacting. These improvements have shortened onboarding, increased digital adoption among our SME customers, and supported the acquisition of new business clients. Our focus remains on delivering practical solutions that help Nigerian businesses thrive.”

Organised by ASBON in partnership with the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, the event convened stakeholders from the public and private sectors to recognise individuals and organisations driving meaningful impact across Nigeria’s SME ecosystem.

Union Bank remains focused on deepening its support for SMEs through customer-led solutions and processes that strengthen business growth across the ecosystem.

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Atlantian Crown Bank Rebrands as Arizona Global Bank LLC, Begins Licensing for Global Expansion 

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*Atlantian Crown Bank Rebrands as Arizona Global Bank LLC, Begins Licensing for Global Expansion* 

_By AGP News 

 

*UNITED KINGDOM OF ATLANTIS* — In a move signaling a push into international markets, the Royal Throne of the United Kingdom of Atlantis on Sunday announced the corporate transformation of Atlantian Crown Bank LLC into *Arizona Global Bank LLC*, as part of a wider restructuring to position the institution for global banking and financial innovation.

 

The announcement was made at a press conference in the UKA capital by *HRM Queen Amb. Cletus C. Leaticia*, Chief Executive Officer of the newly named bank. She told reporters the rebranding marks _“more than a name change”_ and reflects a strategic pivot toward digital finance, cross-border investment, and modern banking standards.

 

_“This transformation represents our commitment to innovation-driven banking and our vision to become a globally competitive financial institution,”_ Queen Leaticia said.

 

*Licensing Process Underway*

According to the Department of Financial Administration and Corporate Affairs, which issued the official communication, Arizona Global Bank LLC has formally begun the process of applying for a *Banking Operational Licence* under UKA’s financial regulatory framework.

 

Once licensed, the bank plans to operate as a modern financial enterprise focused on four pillars:

1. Innovation-driven banking and digital financial solutions

2. Corporate financing and structured investment services

3. International financial partnerships and cross-border trade facilitation

4. Financial inclusion initiatives

 

Bank officials stressed that the institution will _“maintain strict compliance with all banking regulations and supervisory standards”_ set by UKA financial authorities.

 

*Strategic Shift Amid Global Ambitions*

Management described the rebranding as part of a broader restructuring initiative to _“strengthen the bank’s international identity, expand its global financial footprint, and align operations with contemporary banking standards.”_

 

Representatives called the licensing and rebranding process a _“major milestone”_ aimed at supporting economic growth, international trade, and cross-border investment initiatives.

 

*No Disruption to Existing Commitments*

Addressing potential concerns from clients and partners, management reassured stakeholders that _“all existing institutional commitments, operational objectives, and long-term strategic plans remain fully intact throughout the transition process.”_

 

The Royal Throne indicated that further updates on the licence approval, commencement of operations, corporate partnerships, and investment programmes will be released through official UKA and Arizona Global Bank LLC channels.

 

_The Department of Financial Administration and Corporate Affairs, Royal Throne of United Kingdom of Atlantis, issued the official statement._

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Fidelity Bank grows Gross Earnings by 45.6% for FY 2025 

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Fidelity Bank grows Gross Earnings by 45.6% for FY 2025 

 

Lagos, Nigeria – Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading Nigerian financial institution, has announced its audited financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025, reporting Gross Earnings growth of 45.6% from N1.04 trillion in 2024 to N1.52 trillion in FY 2025, reflecting stronger topline momentum across core business segments.

 

 

The Group recorded a Profit Before Tax of N347.7 billion.  This performance was underpinned by a 38.7% year-on-year increase in interest income to N1.11 trillion (FY 2024: N803.1 billion) and a 44.7% year-on-year rise in fees and commission income to N113.4 billion (FY 2024: N78.4 billion).

 

 

On the balance sheet, total assets grew by 18.6% year-on-year to N10.46 trillion (FY 2024: N8.82 trillion), while customer deposits increased by 16.1% year on year to N6.89 trillion (FY 2024: N5.94 trillion), reflecting continued franchise strength and growing customer confidence in the brand. Net loans and advances declined by 2.4% year-on-year to N4.28 trillion (FY 2024: N4.39 trillion) as customers paid down on their mature obligations.

 

 

The Bank also strengthened its capital position during the period, with eligible capital rising to N561 billion, above the regulatory minimum of N500 billion for banks with international authorisation. In addition, capital adequacy remained robust, with Capital Adequacy Ratio of 30.94 percent as at 31 December 2025 (FY 2024: 23.47 percent).

 

 

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

 

 

The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

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