South african retailers | Retail Advice

Shopping at H&M

November 5, 2015January 8, 2016 admin

As not everyone has the opportunity to visit the exciting new H&M store at the V&A waterfront in Capetown I thought I would do a little shopping and show you some items I bought. Firstly I just want to mention unlike shopping in Edgar’s, H&M have an abundance of sales associates. In fact they possibly have far too many however it confirms the attitude of this retailer, customer service is very important to them. Summer is arriving so a pair of new shorts would be a requirement. After browsing through a…

Customer Service – Is any retailer really serious about offering great customer care!

November 3, 2015November 11, 2015 admin

Gone are the days when you leave a retail store in South Africa and feel really great about the experience you have just had. Service is a perception which is built up in your mind through experience or hearsay. If I had to list 10 SA retailers how would you rate them out of 10 with 1 being poor and 10 being excellent. Be honest and go through the names quickly rating as you go… Game Pick n Pay Edgars Woolworths Mr Price Top Shop Checkers MTN Truworths Foschini Now…

Zara – Is this just another store!

November 2, 2015November 11, 2015 admin

Not too long ago, consumers were excited with the arrival of Zara on our shores. Red carpet openings from Sandton to Durban and then Capetown. Good opening price points and fresh fashion from the largest retailer in the world. Although a few mistakes were made, especially in the size curve offered to the local consumer, this was soon rectified and larger garments became available.( Note: the XL Zara item will always be much smaller than what we are use to in SA. ) Unfortunately prices stared to creep as time…

Cape Union Mart – A retail gem!

November 2, 2015November 11, 2015 admin

As more and more global retailers arrive in South Africa to offer new ranges of merchandise, the local retail businesses are continually put under pressure to increase performance. A jewel in the crown of local retailers, Cape Union Mart stands out as a very together business. The range of product and quality of merchandise pushes them to the top of the customers Shopping list. Living in Capetown and going to outdoor events during the winter months, I am always amazed by the amount of people I see wearing the locally…

Edgar’s an unwanted shopping experience

November 1, 2015November 11, 2015 admin

If you asked me what retailer in South Africa cares the least about its customers, I would immediately say Edgar’s. A business which is so arrogant it expects consumers to support them by spending in their stores but it offers absolutely no service, very little staff presence, except when they want you to pay, then someone will be available to operate a terminal. A store which forces unknown brands on the SA public and expects us to pay priemium prices for the product. Who wants to buy a pair of…

H&M to change the retail landscape in South Africa

November 1, 2015November 11, 2015 admin

On the 17th October 2015 H&M opened the doors of its first store in South Africa in the V&A waterfront. This was no ordinary new store opening, this is the start of a significant change to the retail landscape in South Africa. Never before has the South African consumer been afforded the opportunity to shop in an international branded store offering brilliant merchandise at really affordable prices. Quality is much better than Cotton On or Mr Price and the price points are very similar. The store design and aumbiance beats…