THE BOX SHOP
Giving township entrepreneurs access to market and customers retail at your doorstep
In South Africa, our economic challenges must be met with creative resolve. It is a duty of every man and woman in every community to contribute in their own special way, and this is exactly what The Boxshop South Africa has done.
Two years ago, an idea was born an initiative taken, introducing a lifestyle retail store in the township, for township entrepreneurs to have some access to market. This year, 2018 marks 2 years since the launch of the first Box Shop SA the flagship store based in the most iconic street in the world Vilakazi Street in Orlando West, Soweto.
The initiative was founded with a primary objective to solve one of entrepreneur’s greatest challenges in south Africa and the world over which is access to market. Many of the Small to Medium Enterprises fail just because they don’t have access to market. Such undertaking can only be realised through strategic partnerships. The Boxshop SA come alive from a partnership led by Technoserve as an implementing partner as well as Game as a technical partner and the funding from Citi Foundation.
The Boxshop initiative is driven by a strong desire to disrupt the South African retail environment by adopting non-conventional retail strategies and approaches like the Omni Channel Retail. This approach needs to adopt multiple distribution chan nels into the model. It ensures thatconsumers are met at their door step. Currently The Boxshop brand is present across three retail platforms a Physical Retailer, a Pop-up store as well as an online store. The Boxshop procures products from more than 80 local township brands. All are small black owned start-ups as well as Cut Make and Trim manufactures primarily in Gauteng.
The Box Shop SA recently opened a second store at Shanty Town Lifestyle Centre in Midrand, where local brands from different sectors house their products. The Boxshop’s dream is to open at least 10 stores across the Gauteng by 2021.The BoxShop brand retail offering reflects a strong sense of brand and township diversity. Mostly the focus is on apparel, coffee and food, deco and homeware products. All the brand offerings are local entrepreneurs who share passion for fashion and taste for quality. Based on The Box Shop fun damental model of being a social retail enterprising brands and the belief in entrepreneur’s ability to use their initiative as well as their creative flair to build strong businesses’ and brands, which will elevate proudly South African products, giving customer easy access to exclusive products and the best value for money. The Bizbulletin had a conversation with Marvin Manaswe, The head and Supplier Development specialist for The Boxshop, Technoserv South Africa.
Q] From where does The Boxshop draw its entrepreneur/ Suppliers.
A] We draw our entrepreneurs from the townships within Gauteng
Q] Who can apply for the opportunity to supply The Boxshop who can apply what are the requirements?
A] Anyone can apply, provided they are an operating and registered business. To apply entrepreneurs can advise on the interest by send a profile and business registration documents to info@theboxshop.co.za. Once we have received your communication, within a week we will send you our application form. The form must be completed in a week and returned to our office for consideration. We also share opportunities on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, ohhh do follow the The Boxshop on social media.
Q] The Boxshop is an enterprise development program, how does it work?
A] Successful candidates will be inducted and learn about product presentation. during the session all the entre preneurs will make presentations and do one on one business analysis process and subsequently product presentation to ensure the quality of their products. They are supported through raining and assigned a coach to help them navigate the business vision and support while pursuing it.
Q] Unsuccessful applicants what happens to them?
A] Everyone wins at The Boxshop (We train them and equip with them with skills to be supplier ready and an opportunity to apply later.
Q] Who manages the Boxshop?
A] A team of great individuals with a range of diverse skills (supplier Development, Product Development, Operations, Marketing and Project Management. In conclusion, The Bo Shop In cubation Programme offers Business Development Support
•To enable youth businesses to become suppliers into the retail sector, empowering their ability to supply high quality, on time, and in line with mainstream retail sector needs.
•To run a sustainable test market for youth businesses in a structured and professional facility.
•To inspire and to link local entrepreneurs to become suppliers to markets outside the Box Shop