South African Council of Shopping Centres

From passion to storefront. The rise of founder-led retail in South Africa.

Retail in South Africa is not only driven by large regional centres and national chains.
It is increasingly shaped by small, independent retailers entering the market with niche, experience-led concepts.

📊 Wholesale and retail trade remains one of the largest contributors to GDP and employment in South Africa (Statistics South Africa)
📊 Small and micro enterprises play a significant role in employment within the wholesale and retail sector (Stats SA)
📊 Globally, the majority of retail businesses fall within the SME category, reinforcing the sector’s reliance on entrepreneur-led growth models (World Bank)

What’s shifting in retail?
👉 Consumers are prioritising experience, uniqueness, and authenticity
👉 Entry into retail is being driven by founders, not just corporates
👉 Shopping centres are increasingly becoming platforms for emerging brands to scale
We are seeing more retail concepts follow the same path:
Start small. Build demand. Scale into physical space.
A recent example is Nicky, founder of Krumble SA.
From a home kitchen concept to a physical retail store and growing production demand, her journey reflects a broader industry shift where passion-led brands are becoming viable retail tenants.

Retail is no longer only top-down.
It’s being built from the ground up.
💬 How many of the retail brands you support today started as a small idea?
Or what retail concept have you been thinking about launching?

🚶‍♂️ Step into the future of retail design and precinct culture! ✨

Join us for an immersive morning experience at the SACSC Gauteng Chapter Event: Walking Tour of the Old East Precinct.
Sponsored by Atterbury , Twin City and Old East Precinct.

This is your opportunity to explore one of Pretoria’s most vibrant and fast-evolving precincts while connecting with industry peers and gaining valuable retail and development insights along the way.
From meaningful networking to firsthand exposure of this dynamic urban space, this is a walk you won’t want to miss! 😍

📍 Club Retail, Old East Precinct (Cnr Pinaster Ave & 18th Street, Hazelwood, Pretoria)
📅 24th June 2026, Wednesday
⏰ 09h00 – 13h00
Spaces are limited, so secure your booking early and be part of this unique Gauteng Chapter experience! 🙌✨

🎾 Next Gen vs Seasoned Leaders! Who will be taking the win on the courts?!😉

Join us for an exciting evening of networking, connection and friendly competition at the SACSC Western Cape Chapter Networking & Padel Challenge.
Sponsored by Broll and Fairvest.

This event brings together emerging professionals and seasoned industry leaders for an afternoon of great conversations, energetic matchups and valuable connections, all while battling it out on the padel court.

📍 Padel 365, Slipstream Way, Century City
📅 23rd June 2026, Tuesday
⏰ 13h00 – 18h00

Spaces are limited, so secure your booking and be part of this exciting Western Cape Chapter showdown! 🎾✨

🎾 Net, set... serve!

Join us for an exciting afternoon of networking, connection and a little friendly competition at the SACSC KZN Chapter Event ,Padel edition, sponsored by Growthpoint Properties! 🏓

📍 Africa Padel, La Lucia Mall
📅 18th June 2026, Thursday
⏰ 14h30 – 19h00

From great conversations to great rallies, this is set to be an energetic afternoon bringing the retail property community together both on and off the court.
Spaces are limited, so be sure to secure your booking and join us for an unforgettable KZN experience! 🎾✨

What does sustainability look like in action?

At Phelang LSEN School in Hammanskraal, it looks like trees, learning, and long-term impact 🌱
Redefine Properties, in partnership with the Department of Education, celebrated Arbour Week by planting 15 water-efficient trees at the school.
But this initiative goes beyond planting trees.

🌳 10 shade trees to create safer, cooler spaces for learners
🍊 5 fruit trees to support food security and complement the school’s vegetable garden
📚 Environmental awareness sessions to educate and empower students
👩‍🏫 239 learners directly impacted

This is what meaningful ESG looks like:
Creating spaces where communities can grow, learn, and thrive.
Because sustainability isn’t just about the environment.
It’s about people too.
👇 What role should businesses play in building greener communities?

Retail and residential are more connected than ever. 💡

At the link between these two sectors, Stefan Botha shared how understanding the communities moving into an area can unlock real growth opportunities for retailers.

It’s no longer only about footfall. It’s about knowing who is moving in, what developments are taking place, the type of housing being built, and how these shifts shape consumer demand.

When retailers and residential developers work together to create spaces that serve people better, stronger and more prosperous communities follow.🏢

A valuable perspective on how collaboration can shape the future of retail.☺️

Watch the full reel on our Instagram page