02/06/2026
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?
