Let’s pay tribute to a trailblazer in retail

WITH CHRISTO Wiese being inducted into the World Retail Hall of Fame; it is time to pause and pay tribute to this legendary pioneer and trailblazer in retail.

Starting from a few Pep stores in Upington, he has built an empire where today there is hardly a retail space in South Africa without a Pepkor presence.

Just looking at the brand Pep selling to the poorest segments of society (for the record their kiddies wear is well priced with a recent promotion of a kiddies T-shirt at R9.99).

By making apparel more affordable, Wiese has given better confidence and respect to many South Africans and it is no surprise that on any drive to rural South Africa, you will see people dressed in their finest and often very smart. Not all are Pep customers, but Pep has played a role in clothing South Africa with affordable fashion. A far cry from the South Africa of 50 years ago when rural South Africa was a symbol of poverty and regression.

Once more this reflects Wiese’s confidence in South AFrica as well as the fact that being a risk taker (serial), and watching the corporate moves of his listed companies makes one wonder how does he conjure these schemes and opportunities?

In the end, not bad for a platteland and Parow based “shopkeeper” who started with six stores now somewhere near 10 500 at present and still climbing.

Well done, Mr Wiese. MUHAMMAD OMAR DURBAN NORTH