We collect to/from bicycle shops, but beware of the chain store surcharge
Chain store surcharge. Not to a chain of bicycle shops but the the largest retailers in the country. As below. R1500 to deliver to a chain store, at cost price. And this is not R1500 per boxed bicycle. It is over and above the normal rate (which currently is 799 and 1099 for main centre vs remote). Supplier shared: ‘Please be advised that deliveries to chain stores do not form part of our core business therefore a surcharge will apply per waybill for all accidental deliveries. Please find below a full list of our chain stores.’ So be careful when you book a collection to or from these stores. Because you may very well incur a chain store surcharge. Even if booked by accident. Mental note to self. Oh and the numbers after the name is the amount of stores. Not the surcharge, because that is a flat rate.
Shoprite/Checkers 3000+
How many Shop Checkers stores are there in South Africa? 3000+. The broader Shoprite Group is a massive operation. It has 3,655 stores across 8 African countries, with over 3,000 of those located right here in South Africa. And I used to work at the Shoprite head office, for the current CEO Pieter Engelbrecht, straight out of varsity as my first corporate job. How would things have turned out if I stayed there? wow, I don’t think that corporate environment is in my blood, and I much prefer doing things on my own terms, and being outside as far as possible. More on https://www.shopriteholdings.co.za/
Pick n Pay 2200+
How many PNP stores in SA? 200+. Pick n Pay typically hovers around 2,200+ total stores (including their Boxer stores and extensive franchise network). Some Insight: Pick n Pay was a global pioneer in the “hypermarket” concept in the 1970s. And was the first South African retailer to introduce a massive, dedicated corporate social responsibility program. They are currently restructuring their business to split focus tightly between core Pick n Pay stores for middle-to-higher income shoppers. And Boxer stores for the value-seeking market. More on https://www.picknpayinvestor.co.za/
Spar 1000+
How many SPAR stores are there in SA? 1000+. Spar has roughly 1,000+ stores in South Africa, but they operate completely differently from corporate chains like Checkers or Pick n Pay. And there is a friendly SPAR a stone’s throw away from our house. SPAR is different. They on a voluntary trading model. This means that almost every single Spar you walk into is owned and run by an independent local entrepreneur (a guild member) who buys goods through Spar’s central DC’s. But has the freedom to tailor their store, hot foods, and local stock directly to their specific neighborhood. Love it. Better together. More on https://thespargroup.com/
Clicks 1000+
The Clicks group. How many Clicks stores are there in South Africa? 1000+. Clicks recently crossed a major milestone and now operates more than 1,000 stores across Southern Africa, alongside roughly 790 in-store pharmacies. Wiki also teaches us more. Clicks opened its very first store on West Street in Durban back in 1968. If you look closely at their retail group today, they also exclusively own and run The Body Shop standalone stores. As well as the Sorbet beauty salon franchise network. More on https://www.clicksgroup.co.za/
Massmart (Makro & Game) approaching 300
How many stores in SA? 285+. Locally, Massmart operates 285 stores across South Africa across all its formats (which include Makro, Game, and Builders). Owned by Walmart. And my oh my how well these Walmart shares have performed for us. A phenomenal outcome. Especially after being short of Massmart when Walmart made their offer announcement. Never a dull moment. Spot prize for the person who can tell me which ex SA online bicycle shop owner was the first to sell bicycles at mass discounters. Powered by Walmart. More on https://www.massmart.co.za/
Cashbuild 300+
How many Cashbuild stores are there in SA? 300+. Cashbuild operates 322 stores across Southern Africa. And we are getting to know them very well now that we are building. Touch wood, hahaha. Cashbuild is the largest brick-and-mortar retailer of building materials in the region. It operates on a strictly cash-and-carry model. Predominantly cash, debit, or immediate EFT payments. And is tailored to home builders, contractors, and DIY renovators. They recently expanded further into the building market by acquiring the Amper Alles store network. More on https://www.cashbuild.co.za/
Hi-Fi Corporation & House & Home – 45+35
How many House & Home stores in SA? 35. And how many Hi-Fi Corporation stores in SA? 45. Both of these chains belong to the Pepkor Group (which also owns PEP and Russells). Hi-Fi Corp operates around 45 to 50 stores across the country, alongside a heavy digital e-commerce drive. Did you know? When Hifi corp was founded back in 1993, it actually held the official title of the single largest audio and visual warehouse in the entire Southern Hemisphere. They pioneered the concept of a massive, raw “no-frills” warehouse stacked floor-to-ceiling with boxes. More on PEP group at https://pepkor.co.za/retail/
Verimark, Homemark & Glomail 2000+
How many Verimark stores are there in SA? 2000+. The “As Seen on TV” direct-response marketing giants. Verimark and Homemark operate a mix of 50–80 standalone corporate stores/kiosks. But their true footprint relies on “shop-in-shop” partnerships. And there are over 2000 partner outlets. Verimark’s entire business model succeeds by putting interactive video display pods directly inside massive third-party retailers like Game, Makro, and Pick n Pay. Which means iso relying solely on foot traffic to independent shops. They use other retail giants’ crowds to drive their sales. Clever! More on https://www.verimark.co.za/
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PS the list must be rather dated because there has been some consolidation afterwards and of the original list of 18 mentions there are only about 8 unique groups left. Which goes to show to power of bulk buying. And we already covered all of them above. The consolidated ones below have been crossed out.
- Cash & Carry Wholesalers – Shoprite
- Hyperama – Shoprite, Checkers Hypers
- Makro – Massmart
- Dion / Dion Wired – Massmart
- Trade Centre – Massmart
- Game / Game DC / Game Food Co – Massmart
- Hi-Fi Corporation, House & Home – PEP
- Pep Warehouse – PEP
- Price & Pride – JD Group
Still, so many branches for a chain store surcharge… just don’t send there. Now where else can we send your bicycle today?
