Lewis Group mulls expansion in Botswana

Botswana’s stable economy, as well as legislation that supports the business environment, attracted the Lewis Group to invest in Botswana.

Managing Director, Hilda Ncaagae fields questions from Botswana Guardian in this interview.

BG: Provide a general overview of the history of the Lewis Group in Botswana.

MD: Lewis Group has 25 stores in Botswana. This comprises 15 Lewis Stores and 10 Beares Stores and employs close to 300 Batswana. The company is not only a leading furniture retailer but also prides itself as a leader in excellent customer service.

I am sure you have seen our delivery vehicles bearing the slogan “Same day delivery”. We really mean that, and our response to our customers is just as spontaneous.

BG: What attracted the Group to Botswana?

MD: Lewis Group is one of the oldest furniture companies formerly known as Barons in the old days. The peace and stability first attracted the Lewis Group to invest in Botswana. A stable and growing economy with legislation that supports the business environment is what keeps the business intact and continues to grow.

BG: What are the main products offered by Lewis?

MD: As the retailer of household furniture and electrical appliances, we offer all types of household furniture and electrical appliances both on cash and credit terms.

BG: What are your immediate or medium- term plans for expansion in the country?

MD: To open additional stores across the country, support small businesses, and grow a network of local manufacturers.

BG: How has COVID- 19 impacted your operations?

MD: Like all other sectors, Covid- 19 has greatly impacted our organisation, both financially and human capital, where we lost three of our employees from Covid- related deaths. However, we did not lose employees from layoffs. Our employees were paid their full salaries even during severe lockdowns.

BG: What measures has Lewis put in place to mitigate the pandemic?

MD: The Company did put in place policies that support health regulations, where employees are supplied with free face masks, sanitisers, and related facilities with the intention to prevent the spread of the virus. Employees are also given quarantine or Covid recovery leave, not deducting from either their sick leave or annual leave.

BG: How is competition in the furniture retail business in Botswana?

MD: Good competition is always welcome as it is a healthy way of doing business and especially in Botswana. We acknowledge and appreciate the existing legislations that promote service levels that nurture fair business trade.

As Lewis group, we have positioned ourselves as number one in service delivery, and we believe we are leaders in this field, making us competitive in the furniture industry in Botswana

BG: How has the group utilised digital platforms to deliver seamless service to clients?

MD: We continue to leverage on digitalisation like all other businesses and with a substantial following on Facebook. We are able to take our business to the different market segments where we provide the following: Our Catalogues are available online on our website, online queries are promptly answered, customers can indicate what they want to purchase, and they are immediately contacted to give them the necessary service, ongoing competitions, and give- aways are also enjoyed by our customers online.

BG: What are the Corporate Social Investment initiatives that Lewis Group is involved in here in Botswana?

MD: We continue to give back to the community through our corporate social responsibility segment. We have supported quite a number of organisations, especially those dealing with less privileged communities.

The following organisations have benefited from our corporate social responsibility: SOS Children’s Villages Botswana, The Cheshire Foundation of Botswana, Francistown Centre for Deaf Education, Botswana Council for the Disabled, Down Syndrome Association as well as Association for people with Albinism, and Camphill Trust.

BG: What does the future hold for the Group in Botswana?

MD: We are very optimistic and there are prospects of possible expansion and introduction of more Group Brands that are currently not in Botswana.