The erratic nature of electricity supply in South Africa combines with other factors continuous to affect household electricity demand, leading to increasing reliance on other fuels. This dependence is characterised by the use of traditional fuels by mostly low-income households, contributing significantly to environmentally harmful emissions. This study assessed the primary determinants of energy fuel choice in selected South African households, to alert policymakers to important energy consumption behavioural tendencies that can inform policies and that can assist sustainable energy growth and reduction of biomass use in households. The investigation was primarily based on energy consumption models and used a quantitative research design. Gauteng and North West were considered for data collection. Households, in general, tended to practice energy stacking. The results suggest policy measures that could promote sustainable energy use by households.

This paper propped up as a result of the lack of awareness on the role of pricing in market share gain or loss among retailers in general. The empirical focus of the study was at the Ngaka Modiri Molema district in the North-West province of South Africa. The researcher saw that the identified problem negatively affected the profits of retailers in the Ngaka Modiri Molema district. Thus, there was need to carry out this study in order to improve the awareness level of the role pricing has in market share gain or loss among Ngaka Modiri Molema retailers. It was also aimed at developing a pricing decision support system that can assist Ngaka Modiri Molema retailers in pricing decision making. The study was performed on 11 selected items commonly available in the database from the three largest supermarkets in the fast consumer goods retail sector at the Ngaka Modiri Molema district (Pick n Pay, Spar and Shoprite supermarkets). A panel data technique was used in determining the outcomes of this paper. The study revealed that pricing play a major role in market share gain or loss among Ngaka Modiri Molema retailers. Hence, there is need to increase retailers awareness with regards to the mentioned finding. Practical recommendations were made and a pricing decision support system was developed to assist Ngaka Modiri Molema retailers.