Lewis celebrates 1000th store opening in Kwa-Thema
Lewis has reached a major milestone with the opening of its 1000th store in Kwa-Thema including creating 13 local jobs.
The grand opening of Itonka Square in Kwa-Thema marked a major milestone for Lewis with the opening of its 1000th store.
Staff members had lots to celebrate on Heritage Day as they welcomed customers to the new store, 91 years after the company was founded.
“In 2004, we had 465 stores. So now, 22 years later, we’re celebrating the 1000th store that we opened. And that’s across all of our brands,” said general manager Clyne Erasmus.
The company’s brands are Lewis stores, Bears, Best Home Electric, UFO and Real Bets.
“A 1000th shop is huge. If you had asked me years ago if we thought it would happen so quickly, I would have said no but it has happened through the support of our loyal customers and the dedication of our hardworking staff,” he added.
Photo: Buhle Matsoele
He highlighted how a new shop allowed them to employ people.
“As we’ve opened in Kwa-Tema here, we’ve managed to employ 13 staff members, which is fantastic. It just allows us to take local people; we call it the local talent.
“It’s great that they’re from around here because they know the community, they know what happens in Kwa-Tema, they know the people in their community,” Erasmus said.
Erasmus said the most rewarding part of their job is meeting different people and leaving the shop happy with their purchase.
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“Everybody has aspirations on what they want to have at home, whether it’s a new fancy lounge suite, or a big side-by-side fridge, or even these big-screen TVs. It gives us pleasure putting the furniture into customers’ homes,” he said.
Erasmus added that another fulfilling experience is developing staff members.
“We’ve got a lot of people that started with us as sales agents, and they are now becoming area managers and seniors.
“For us who have been in the company a long time, that’s what makes our job rewarding, is to see growth,” he said.
He added that they’re happy to provide convenience to Kwa-Thema residents who won’t have to travel far to access their shop.
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