Durban — In six weeks, Makro Pietermaritzburg will welcome its customers back after the store was looted last year during the July unrest.
Shoppers will be able to shop again from November 23.
In over a year, the retailer has rebuilt its new store with a new customer shopping experience.
Makro said the local retail store represents almost 14% of South Africa’s total gross domestic product and almost a million people are employed in many stores throughout the country – yet the industry has undergone the toughest economic conditions between 2021 and 2022.
Makro general sales manager, Strini Naidoo said: “Most of the brand's CSR efforts have gone into collaborating with key stakeholders to rebuild KZN, not only for businesses but for the communities that keep these businesses open. Our Early Childhood Development partner – Hope Worldwide – is currently assessing the suitability of enrolling an ECD centre near the store to help cater for the community’s children.
“Our holding company, Massmart also played a key role during the floods that affected the larger KZN community earlier on this year with donations of non-perishable food, personal care items and approximately 35 tonnes of bottled water for distribution to those displaced by the downpours,” he said.
The store promises to showcase a variety of changes for the customers, with the addition of a butchery, fresh produce sections, and an extended range of general merchandise. The 12 000 square metre store will also boast the retail giant’s newly introduced e-commerce pick-up department and express checkout.
“Makro has been working collaboratively with our building partners to ensure that we turn things around within the set times and open the store on November 23, 2022, our on-site teams have made exceptional progress from breaking ground to making sure that all the enhancements are added with great care,'' Naidoo said.
A stronger committed presence from the SAPS, Traffic Department and Fidelity Security Services will ensure customer safety.
Makro Pietermaritzburg - what's happening in the rest of the city and country?? pic.twitter.com/Ae3P8CPgPI
— Claire M (@c_maher7) July 12, 2021
“Pietermaritzburg, get ready! Keep on the lookout for more details closer to the date,” added Naidoo.
Operating hours will be affected as follows from the official opening:
- Opening November 23 – trading from 8am to 6pm
- November 24 – trading from 8am to 6pm
- November 25 – trading from 8am to 6pm
- November 26 – trading from 8am to 5pm
- November 27 – trading from 9am to 4pm
Meanwhile, two weeks ago, Springfield Value Centre, which was also destroyed during the July unrest, was reopened.
SA Corporate Real Estate (Limited) national marketing manager, Donald Mclellan said the damage at the centre was extensive and the project team has been working tirelessly to have the centre reopened as soon as possible.
On September 29, 70% of the centre was reopened and the remainder will be reopened by the end of the year.
Daily News