TM Lewin expands into South Africa
Shirt retailer TM Lewin has expanded into South Africa through the signing of a franchise deal with Edcon, the owner of the Edgars department store chain.
From the end of August, TM Lewin’s collections will be available within four Edgars stores across South Africa, with a total of twenty store-in-stores planned to open in the coming months. A dedicated stand-alone-store is also earmarked to open towards the end of this year, featuring the brand’s full collection of men’s shirts, tailoring and a selection of ties and essential accessories.
With 181 Edgars stores in South Africa, Edcon is the country’s largest non-food retailer with a market share of the South African clothing and footwear market nearly twice that of its nearest competitor.
TM Lewin chief executive Geoff Quinn said: “We see great potential for our brand in the South African market, where we believe our quality businesswear offer, inspired by over 110 years of dedication to English style, elegance and value, will resonate with consumers as it has already in Australia and the other eight countries outside the UK where we have opened stores.
“I have been impressed by the Edcon’s ambition to create a compelling menswear proposition across their business and am confident that in them, we have the best partner to help TMLewin become South Africa’s leading business wear retailer in the years ahead.”
Edcon chief executive Jürgen Schreiber added: “Realising the need for affordable fine quality business apparel for men in South Africa, there was no doubt that establishing a presence of TM Lewin locally would be filling a gap in the market.
“The brand not only offers a stylish selection of formal menswear, but also answers the basic requirement of a one-stop destination for businessmen with little time to shop around.”
