MR.DIY, an international value retailer offering household, hardware and lifestyle products at “Always Low Prices”, is opening its first Mpumalanga store at Highveld Mall on 19 August.

The opening marks the retailer’s ninth store in South Africa and forms part of its national expansion, supported by a sourcing model that brings together MR.DIY-branded imports and products from a growing network of local suppliers.

“Opening in Mpumalanga is an exciting milestone in MR.DIY’s expansion across South Africa,” says Khumo Mabe, Procurement Specialist at MR.DIY. “It means that we can bring our wide range of quality products at always low prices to a new community, giving people across the province access to our high-quality range of affordable home, hardware and lifestyle essentials.”

As MR.DIY expands its store footprint, it is also developing the local supplier network behind the products customers find on its shelves. The retailer currently sources 12% of its South African range locally and is working towards a target of 20%. It also works with 46 local suppliers across 11 departments, helping to support South African businesses and keep a growing share of its investment within the local economy.

“We want local suppliers in every category across MR.DIY,” says Mabe. “From a local sourcing perspective, there is no limitation and our aim is to just keep finding local suppliers who can add to our already extensive catalogue. Developing local sourcing is a clear priority for us as we grow.”

When choosing local suppliers, the procurement team considers product quality, the ability to meet demand at scale and experience supplying retail chains. Suppliers’ sourcing and sustainability practices also form part of the assessment, as does their willingness to build a genuine working relationship with MR.DIY.

“We place a lot of value on suppliers who see this as a genuine partnership where we can grow together,” Mabe explains. “They help us build MR.DIY and we help them strengthen, expand and sustain their businesses.”

The retailer began its local sourcing journey by forming relationships with brands that South African customers already know and trust, selecting suppliers that offer strong value without compromising the look, feel or performance of their products. Alongside these locally sourced products, MR.DIY imports items developed specifically for the retailer, most of which carry the MR.DIY name.

“It is important to note that local and imported sourcing are not in competition with each other,” says Lara-lee De Jager, Imports Manager at MR.DIY. “Local sourcing allows us to support South African businesses and communities, while the main drive behind our imports is to bring MR.DIY-branded products to the South African consumer.”

In terms of maintaining its high quality benchmarks, checks begin at supplier level. MR.DIY’s imports team works with suppliers and the company’s global procurement teams to ensure products meet applicable quality and safety standards before entering the South African market.

“We work from supplier level straight through to market level,” De Jager explains. “Trade compliance is a very important part of what we do, from complying with international regulations to meeting the requirements of South African governing bodies.”

Customers also influence what may appear on MR.DIY’s shelves in future. Store teams report on the products shoppers are looking for, while the digital marketing team monitors requests and questions across the retailer’s social media channels.

“We have a team that picks up on products that customers are asking about or expect to find in our stores,” says Mabe. “We combine that feedback with our sales data to respond to purchasing patterns and seasonal demand.”

For shoppers in Mpumalanga, the result is a shopping experience with products for the whole family available under one roof.

“MR.DIY is a welcome addition to Highveld Mall, giving our shoppers access to an extensive range of quality products for the home and everyday life at accessible prices,” says Nicola Blake, Marketing Manager at Highveld Mall. “With something quite literally for every member of the family, MR.DIY brings real value and variety to the mall.”

“We want every consumer, at every level and in every region, to have access to our brand, our pricing and our quality,” De Jager adds. “To the people of Mpumalanga, please come and join the MR.DIY family. We look forward to welcoming you and becoming a household name in the region.”

The MR.DIY Highveld Mall store opens on 19 August, with grand opening celebrations taking place on 29 and 30 August.

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