SA retail giant set to take over popular fashion brands
New retail management will take over several well-known South African fashion and homeware brands. Here’s where they’re headed…
Shoppers browsing their favourite fashion chains may soon see major retail changes.
Regulators have approved a major retail merger that will transfer ownership of more than 460 clothing and homeware stores across Southern Africa.
The deal unites well-known brands under one of the region’s biggest retail groups, with strict conditions in place to protect jobs and suppliers.
Pepkor gains more brands
Retail giant Pepkor will expand its brand portfolio after the Competition Tribunal conditionally approved its purchase of several Retailability businesses, including Legit, Style, Swagga (with Beaver Canoe), and Boardmans.
Pepkor will absorb these into its Speciality division, strengthening its stable of brands such as Tekkie Town and Shoe City.
The approval came with conditions, including no retrenchments linked to the merger and workers retaining their current employment terms.
Edgars, Edgars Beauty, Red Square, Kelso, and Keedo remain with Retailability and are not part of the deal.
Pepkor, already the largest clothing retailer in South Africa with more than 5 800 stores across 10 African countries, will use the acquisition to strengthen its position in adult fashion, particularly womenswear through Legit, and expand homeware offerings via Boardmans.