Pepkor Goes On A Buying Spree With Big Retail Takeover

Pepkor is making a bold move to strengthen its retail empire with a major acquisition that will see several well-known brands change hands.

The company has reached an agreement to acquire Legit, Swagga, Style and Boardmans from Retailability, expanding its presence in fashion and homeware.

Retailability, which operates a wide range of stores across southern Africa, will continue running Edgars, Edgars Beauty, Red Square, Kelso, and Keedo, as these brands are not part of the deal. The takeover will add 462 stores to Pepkor's footprint, covering South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and Eswatini, as first reported by Moneyweb .

Pepkor has historically focused on budget-friendly clothing, with a strong presence in kids and school wear. However, the company sees room for expansion in adult fashion, particularly in womenswear. The acquisition of Legit, which caters to young, style-conscious shoppers, is expected to strengthen this strategy.

This deal follows Pepkor's recent introduction of Ayana, a new womenswear brand launched in 32 stores, and its purchase of Choice Clothing. By bringing these businesses together, the group is setting the stage for significant growth in the adult apparel sector.