Retailers News South Africa

Off-price retailer launches in SA

32 Clothing, an off-price retailer modelled on the TJMax and TKMax concepts overseas, has launched to give shoppers on a budget a new home. It is the first off-price retailer of its kind in South Africa, offering up to 80% off exclusive, quality brands such as H&M, Diesel, ZARA, Tom Tailor, Adidas, New Balance and &OtherStories.

But why off-price retail? How does it work? What are the benefits of off-price retail stores? And why should South Africans pay 32 Clothing a visit to see what they can find?

Off-price retailers such as 32 Clothing sell brand-name merchandise at considerable discounts by benefitting from other retailers' forecasting errors, manufacturers' overruns, and cancelled orders.

Imperfection in the retail industry is what makes the off-price model possible. When a major label miscalculates consumer preferences and over-produces a product, it is a window of opportunity for 32 Clothing to purchase these items at a huge discount.

While a speciality retail or department store must rely on fashion trends and innovative product designs to drive profits, an off-price retailer such as 32 Clothing depends on its ability to move high volumes of goods quickly, and on its relationships with designers and distributors who provide the low-cost inventory on which its stores depend.

Lean cost structures

Off-price companies rely on extremely lean cost structures, along with sophisticated systems and distribution infrastructure to maximise productivity while maintaining the lowest possible prices for consumers.

Fashion trends are a key driver of profits in the full-price retail industry. The off-price sector does not have this luxury - off-price retailers must make the right decisions about what products to buy and sell, because they operate at such small margins on each individual product.

In lieu of this, it is important to bear in mind that the 32 Clothing concept is a treasure hunt, with most of the items on the floor being one of a kind in design, style and size. So it really is first come, first served, but with a great reward.

Because of 32 Clothing's treasure hunt element, and the major affordability factor, you can experiment with styles and colours that you might not usually buy, all the while knowing that you have just purchased items of quality.

Rapidly changing merchandise

Off-price retailers are constantly changing, as they offer a continual flow of fresh and rapidly changing merchandise. This means you could constantly update your wardrobe with the knowledge that nobody else has what you have.

32 Clothing resides in a fashion treasure cove in Rissik Street, Joburg, Pretorius Street, Pretoria as well as at Westgate and Southgate shopping malls. 32 Clothing's buyers travel the world to source their merchandise globally from over 500 vendors in more than 10 countries and their core focus is to deliver value to their customers and to create an exciting and ever-changing shopping experience.

For more information on 32 Clothing, go to www.32clothing.co.za.

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