There is no doubt that budding retailer Mignon Pretorius has an eye for attractive spaces.The visual communications graduate was recently honoured with SPAR Eastern Cape’s 2025 Young Achiever Award.

This came in recognition of her accomplishments at her family’s Jeffreys Bay store, which included a huge redesign last year.

The 29-year-old merchant says the award suggests that she is at least heading in the right direction.

“You are never really sure [in retail]. Sometimes it feels like you are playing in the dark but hitting the right spots,” she says.

“Everything changes all the time so you just have to keep up and hit the bullseye.”

Many would argue Pretorius is not giving herself enough credit.

She has been instrumental in making the retailer a go-to for speciality products while also improving merchandising and flow processes.

The store also caters to people from across the LSM spectrum, which can be tricky in terms of striking the right balance.

The expansive shop in the heart of South Africa’s surfing mecca is a year older than the woman who now dictates operations along with her father JP and brother Coert Venter.

The family have been at the helm for almost 22 of its 30 years, meaning that Pretorius literally grew up in the world of retail.

She and her younger sibling, the floor manager, became acquainted with the running of the family business when they cut ham for the deli and broke eggs for the bakery during their school holidays.

That close relationship with its innermost workings has helped her identify what aspects need improving or changing.

“I don’t mind taking risks and trying new things even if they don’t work. I’ve made quite a few mistakes!”

One of her great strengths is that she is never one to turn down an opportunity to gain experience.

She was selected for the Group’s Management Growth Programme two years ago. This took her to stores around the country to study different management styles and diverse parts of the industry.

Prior to SUPERSPAR Jeffreys Bay’s revamp, she undertook a national tour to learn what other outlets were doing.

“It (upgrade) pushed me to change how I think about things.”

Pretorius, who worked as a freelancer while studying at the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography, believes it may still be a while before challenging for the store-of- the-year title.

“I’m not sure we are there yet. To get there, we will need people such as myself to go to these stores and see what they do.

“The other thing is that what works best for us may not work for everyone else. I think I still have a bit of work to do.”

That sentiment may be hers alone, though.

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