RETAIL INNOVATION
T S R I F S R E M U S N O PUTTING C d GDED rs up with Pick n Pay an we po et rk Ma ’s isa nd Soweto’s Ma
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hen Mandisa’s Market opened on 5 December 2016 in Soweto, not only did it fulfil a five year-long dream for owner Mandisa Mzizi, but it also provided an inspirational example of how the retail sector can grow when it learns to listen to what consumers need. The opening of the store is a result of a partnership between Pick n Pay and the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED), who assisted Mzizi to realise her passion for providing a great retail solution to customers in Soweto; a cause close to her heart. Mandisa’s Market is a new business created through the refurbishment of a former fast-food outlet. With the help of some of its suppliers, Pick n Pay has worked with Mzizi on creating a shop which boasts new refrigeration and IT systems. The store will have up to 1 200 lines of edible and non-edible groceries, fresh produce and perishables. In addition to having a liquor licence, Mandisa’s Market will also offer a full value added service range, including: money transfer; ticketing; airtime and data sales; bill payments; lottery ticket sales and the sale of prepaid electricity. Customers will benefit from the fact that the store will be linked to the Pick n Pay Smart Shopper loyalty programme (voted South Africa’s favourite loyalty programme for four years in a row and boasting 11 million members). Shoppers will be able to earn and redeem Smart Shopper points at the store. Mandisa’s Market in Soweto is one of several spaza shop solutions that demonstrate the positive role that a large national retailer can play in townships, by working hand-in-hand with their owners. Earlier this year, the first store in this pilot project opened in Diepkloof. Since then, Emabheleni store has re-opened and a further three revitalised spaza stores will be opened before the end of the year.
Left to Right: Dianne Richards, Eddie Langa, Nandipa Gaqa, Moeketsi Valashiya, Samora Mzizi [Mandisa’s little boy], Mandisa Mzizi, Richard van Rensburg, Rosie Wilson, Mark Bandi, Tumi Sefolo.
in Soweto, many of whom were members chain, buying and systems capability of stokvels and burial societies. in partnership with a spaza owner’s intimate knowledge of the needs of “They’d ask me when retailers (not customers in the neighbourhood, we cash-and-carry stores) would start are able to bring something special to understanding the way in which they customers – state of the art grocery save, and save to shop,” said Mzizi. retailing in an extremely convenient neighbourhood location. “They wanted to know why grocery stores didn’t understand their buying habits. I “Importantly, we are helping went to Pick n Pay Hyper, the main anchor neighbourhood customers access the tenant at Maponya Mall, and asked if we goods they need close to home, which could devise a stokvels concept for them. adds convenience by reducing the need They responded positively and a stokvel to travel for their shopping. initiative was launched in February 2012 at Maponya Mall.” “Today, Mandisa joins in becoming part of our community of independent “I wanted to take things further though. I business owners. These are all wanted to start my own business where experienced entrepreneurs who will I could apply what I’d learnt. Today that grow at the helm of their businesses dream is being realised with the opening benefitting from our buying, distribution of Mandisa’s Market,” said Mzizi. systems, IT and marketing, while we benefit from their practical skills in Mandisa’s will benefit from tailored neighbourhood convenience retailing.” business mentoring and advice from Pick n Pay franchisee and local entrepreneur Bonnie Sachane. Sachane owns the Pick n Pay family store in Protea Glen, Soweto, and is a successful entrepreneur in his own right. Sachane is supporting the spaza conversion stores.
Working hand in hand
Revitalising the township economy Leah Manenzhe, Acting CEO of Gauteng Enterprise Propeller, the funding agency for the Department of Economic Development in Gauteng, said: “The Gauteng Department of Economic Development, in partnership with Pick n Pay, continues to boost the township economy.”
Pick n Pay Deputy CE, Richard van Rensburg, said: “Mzizi has great business acumen and she really understands her customers. We’re delighted with this new “This is the practical implementation store, the result of a workable public/ of Gauteng’s township economy private sector partnership on a micro Listening to what shoppers scale between Pick n Pay and the GDED.” revitalisation strategy which aims to radically change the structure of the need Gauteng economy and unlock the “The neighbourhood convenience potential of different sectors in order Mzizi’s journey to owning her own spaza format is one of the fastest growing grocery retail formats worldwide and to revitalise and rebuild the productive business began while she was working a spaza shop is essentially such a capacity of the township economy,” for business giant Richard Maponya. said Manenzhe. Here, she started engaging with shoppers format. By bringing together our supply 12
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