By: Natasha Archary
Shoprite is launching its first clothing store chain in Canal Walk, Cape Town, on Thursday, 30 March.
According to the grocery retailer, the brand, UNIQ, will open 8 other clothing stores in the next month.
Makwe Masilela, Chief Investment Officer at Makwe Fund Managers said it made sense for the retailer to introduce its own clothing store, to compete for market share.
The retailer’s competitors, Pick n Pay clothing and Makro clothing have proven that consumers are looking for convenience when out shopping.
Masilela says the objective was to ensure shoppers could pick up everything from milk and bread to a T-shirt for the kids in one store.
“As much as Shoprite is coming late to the party, it’s better late than never. If you look at the likes of Pick n Pay and Makro, they are making a killing with the clothing in-store.
People are looking for value for money deals on not just groceries and household products.
As much as you have the likes of H&M, Cotton On and Woolworths clothing for the upper LSM, because household budgets are stretched, UNIQ can give even those competitors a run for their money.”
Shoprite is generally associated with a middle to lower income market but according to Masilela, the clothing range will offer a different pricing bracket to competitors.
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