JD GROUP
JD GROUP
High-Spec Tech
Keeps JD Group Ahead PRODUCTION: Timothy Reeder
Competition within the South African retail market is rife, and fiercer than ever. Through its diversified retail and consumer finance business, and a sure-fire range of trusted brands and companies, JD Group has come to be known as a bastion of value for mass-market customers in Southern Africa, making a comfortable lifestyle a reality for more and more people every day.
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“We provide value,” outlines JD Group of its overarching mission, “and enable South African consumers to live the way they deserve.” The umbrella company for a vast and diverse range of business arms, JD Group’s reach is all-encompassing, and numbers some of the key household names in Southern Africa. Furniture and technology dominate the roster, and all showcase a rich heritage of improving the quality of life of African consumers daily. Both Russells and Bradlows harbour near-identical aims: to enable aspirational customers to create stylish warm homes by offering quality, long-lasting furniture and appliances through affordable payment options. This is backed by a combined reputation of over two centuries, and nearly 600 stores
between the two brands. Rochester is a slightly more niche, but no less desirable option: with just 25 stores nationwide it offers a far more personal touch, serving discerning customers timeless quality furniture tailored to individual tastes. Sleepmasters, meanwhile, promises the very best night’s sleep through its range of branded beds in three different comfort levels, at the characteristic competitive prices to allow consumers to rest even easier in one of its luxurious choices. TECH EXPERTISE Arguably most synonymous with the JD Group name, among a litany of key players, is its duo of electronic retailers. Incredible Connection’s wares are available in 75 outposts nationwide,
and it has the widest range of leading brands to make it the retailer of choice for integrated technology products, services, content & solutions. HiFi Corp, meanwhile, is perhaps JD Group’s leading light among a glittering line-up of companies. It bills itself as a discount retailer supplying electronic goods, appliances and related accessories, to consumers positioned in the mass-middle-market across Southern Africa. Both are much-loved technology retail stores in South Africa, thanks to a comprehensive range of innovative products, practical solutions for any home and business environment through to specialist products, all of which push the boundaries of technology. “At Incredible Connection, we like to make tech easy,” sums up this
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INDUSTRY FOCUS: RETAIL
// WE PROVIDE VALUE AND ENABLE SOUTH AFRICAN CONSUMERS TO LIVE THE WAY THEY DESERVE // technological friend to many, “if the future is about connectivity, Incredible Connection ensures you’re plugged in.” “Why shop anywhere else?”, meanwhile, is HiFi Corp’s challenge right at the outset, and it is a pertinent question: the promise to beat price on all advertised products and free delivery on all appliances alone set it apart from a growing crowd. “After more than two decades of the leading budget beater in electronic audio visual products and appliances,” the company continues, “the brand continues to fight for consumer justice in bringing the lowest possible prices to consumers. “We truly understand our customers’ needs and our products,” explains the company, “we offer value for money and affordable payment options; and with
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this in mind, we ask the question: ‘Why shop anywhere else?’” While most prevalent in South Africa, HiFi Corp also operates in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Swaziland. HiFi Corp’ leading position in the electrical market as a national chain has been cemented following a focus on six main categories: Television, Audio products, Appliances, Computing, Cellular and Car Audio. “As the Low Price champion, HiFi Corp has strategically positioned itself to save the consumer money,” states the brand. “The company has updated its identity in line with this new positioning, which has included a new small store design that makes shopping at HiFi Corp a great experience, and also shortening the name HiFi Corporation to HiFi Corp to mirror the new focus, and adopting a new brand promise…[this] more accurately reflects the down-toearth and approachable brand that it is.” STIFF COMPETITION That the wider JD Group, and HiFi Corp in particular, continues to gain both growth and market share is testament
to its commitment to service excellence, and to making available new offerings within centres, new retailer products and unique experiences for customers. “The retail market is changing and evolving at a rapid pace,” writes Business Report, “with innovation being one of the key success factors to survival.” “In the face of increased competition, shopping centre owners, developers, managers and retailers need to be alert to and agile in responding to the latest trends, consumer behaviour and technology in a fast-paced, ever evolving industry,” said Elaine Wilson, Director of Broll Property Intel, the research division of leading Pan-African property services group, Broll. South Africa’s economy continued to flounder in 2018 with GDP growth
// WE PROVIDE VALUE AND ENABLE SOUTH AFRICAN CONSUMERS TO LIVE THE WAY THEY DESERVE //
JD GROUP
KIC is simple, yet modern in its design satisfying customer need when it comes to refrigeration and cooking. With the local based manufacturing facility in Isethebe, Kwazulu Natal, KIC prides itself in producing the best quality products and continues to grow both regionally and internationally.
www.kic.co.za • 0860 884 402 • info@kic.co.za
of just 0.9% in 2017; internet retailing remained the most dynamic channel in 2018, with mobile internet retailing seeing especially strong growth. Retailers are increasingly being forced to take an omnichannel approach in order to remain competitive, with many South African companies investing in establishing a strong online presence. For a company aligning itself at the forefront of technology, it is only fitting that HiFi Corp also be a pioneer in its online retail offering as well, especially considering the emerging trend of consumers away from the high street. The single channel shopping experience either in bricks-and-mortar stores or online only no longer cuts it; success will only come from mastering the two otherwise retailers will lose out on swathes of potential customers. HiFi Corp’s celebrated online retail
portal is the result of its partnership with digital solutions company, iGroup, extending its existing website to a fullyintegrated, usable e-commerce system. Marc Seymour, CEO of iGroup, said at the launch that the website had been presented to the customer in a simple and user-friendly way. “The system has seven integration points and is the only site in South Africa, at this time, to integrate directly to SABC for online TV licensing verification and purchasing,” he explained. Apart from the first online SABC TV license integration, among the website’s defining features were integration into multiple supplier systems, delivery mechanisms, good quality product information and imagery and automatic web specific promotions and notification facilities. “Not only can customers browse,
compare products and now purchase a valid TV license online by means of SABC licensing integration and ID upload and verification facilities, soon they will be able to use an SMS or in store facilities to check their TV license status prior to purchase as well,” Seymour underlined. “The HiFi Corp site is a fantastic example of iGroup’s understanding of business rules, security, process flows, payment mechanisms and logistics needed for a successful e-commerce system.”
WWW.JDGROUP.CO.ZA
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Published by CMB Media Group Chris Bolderstone – General Manager E. chris@cmb-media.co.uk Rouen House, Rouen Rd, Norwich NR1 1RB T. +44 (0) 1603 855 161 E. info@cmb-media.co.uk www.cmb-media.co.uk CMB Media Group does not accept responsibility for omissions or errors. The points of view expressed in articles by attributing writers and/ or in advertisements included in this magazine do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this magazine, no legal responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising from use of information published. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrievable system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher. Š CMB Media Group Ltd 2019
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