With efforts to boost small businesses, local manufacturing and job creation following the economic impact caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the unrest in July, local retailers such as Clicks and Dis-Chem have announced plans to collaborate with SMMEs.

Phumi Ramalepe | Business Insider SA

Both retailers are working closely with government departments to help list the products of several local suppliers as part of a national strategy to grow manufacturing locally.

Recently, Clicks announced its new SMME supplier listing portal aimed at providing support to small, medium, and micro-enterprises across the Group's supply chain.

The retailer has invested over R500 million in SMME suppliers in the past year and is working closely with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to accelerate local procurement.

In addition to this, Clicks is targetting over R4.5 billion worth of procurement spend with black-owned SMMEs over the next three years.

"The Clicks Group recognises that SMME development is critical in creating jobs and building a healthier economy," said Clicks Group Corporate Affairs Director Bertina Engelbrecht. "We are committed to removing barriers and have worked hard to implement a SMME trading framework that will ease entry into the Clicks eco-system." 

Here's what you need to do to get your products listed;

The Clicks' buying team and the Supplier Development Manager will review submissions and make contact with the supplier.

Feedback will be provided by the Supplier Development Manager on the success of the proposal, or if further work or information is required. If the proposal is successful, Clicks will assist the new supplier to complete the required paperwork to become a supplier to Clicks. 

"Clicks is committed to ensuring the success of our new supplier partners. We look at various support mechanisms we can put in place for these suppliers such as free advertising and promotion events, beneficial payment terms, prominent positioning in stores and incubation support from the various Clicks teams," said the retailer's spokesperson.

So far the company has worked with popular local brands such as AfroBotanics, AfriBerry and Portia M.

Dis-Chem

Dis-Chem is working closely with the Department of Small Business Development following calls by government for big retailers to help support the growth of small businesses.

As part of a national strategy to grow manufacturing locally, Dis-Chem is on a drive to list several locally producers' items. This includes stocking over 400 locally produced goods, later expanding to more than 2,000 local items.

The group has worked with a number of local suppliers, including herbs and spices supplier uSisi Brands, vegan products supplier Irene Gourmet, gluten-free cereals and snacks business True Earth, and many others.

To join Dis-Chem's network of suppliers, fill in the application form. Applicants will also need to:

"Dis-Chem started as a small business with one store, so we understand what it takes to grow an organisation," said executive director Saul Saltzman as quoted on BizCommunity.

"As a company that supports businesses, we support and mentor entrepreneurs and we are fortunate to have partnered with some small businesses that have grown significantly in recent years."