Winners of Product of the Year 2016 announced

PoY winners are chosen following an intensive judging process based on months of rigorous research conducted by independent research house, Nielsen. More than 5,000 South African households are surveyed to understand which products have won the hearts and minds of consumers.

“It’s encouraging to see South African products competing with products that are on par with global counterparts. There was a good mix of entries from small companies along with the expected entries from medium to large corporates,” said PoY CEO and chief innovation analyst Preetesh Sewraj.

“We are seeing, more than ever, local and international brand owners putting great effort in investing in innovating their products to suit and cater for local consumers. Ultimately, consumers deserve the best products and services that exceed global best practice,” said Sewraj.

He said that PoY will continue its mandate of lobbying brands to offer consumers the best products and services at a price deemed equitable.

“Although we have made huge strides, we are still a long way from fully achieving products that fully cater to the needs of the South African consumer. Brands need to continue investigating their consumers' product usage and habits to come up with products that answer these uniquely local needs, this is when true innovation is realised,” concluded Sewraj.

PoY was launched in 2008 in South Africa and is present in 43 countries.

A wide spectrum of industries

The 2016 winners cross a wide spectrum of industries, with the product categories ranging from cellphones, personal and child care to household appliances as well as motor lubricants.

Winners will be able to use the PoY logo on various communication vehicles, such as television, print, social media and on their packs, to highlight the endorsement received from the South African public.