Coastals Celebrates 75 years’ of service to its members and customers (1946 – 2021)
Whilst the core focus still remains the farming industry, sales to the general public and other non-farming enterprises have increased dramatically in the past decade, with the man on the street realising that he or she too can reap the benefits of shopping at their local Co-op!
One wonders what our founding members, like first chairman Bill Robbins, would have said if they knew that the business they started 75 years ago produced a transaction value of R1.2-billion in 2021.
Like so many other famous companies and brands, Coastals’ early life was relatively slow paced, starting with literally a handful of members.
A year after the flame was lit, the first share certificate was issued to Mr E.L. Armstrong and a year later Eric Knight was appointed Secretary/Manager of the Co-op.
Things were starting to happen, and in 1962 sales exceeded R1-m mark for the first time.
With business going so well, the head office was moved to central Durban two years later, with the first branch opening at Compensation in 1968.
With this new business strategy, Coastals moved into a new era, and from that one branch the Coop blossomed into what we have today!
Boasting 17 branches, with a head office based at Mt Edgecombe, the Co-op is well and truly seen as part of the bedrock of the KZN coastal farming community.
Aptly, the flagship Umhlali branch is situated on the premises where it all began, having moved back there from Compensation in 1997.
Along with Umhlali, the North Coast includes branches at Empangeni, Eshowe, Gingindlovu, Monzi, Mtubatuba, Nkwaleni and Stanger.
The South Coast branches are situated at Eston, Harding, Marina Beach, Paddock, Port Edward, Port Shepstone, Richmond, Umzinto and Umzumbe.
Membership stands at over 1 200, with 6 500 line items available in the branches.
With a staff of 200 at the various branches as well as head office.
With our scale, partners and network, Coastals is able to source all your farming requisites cost effectively and efficiently with good old fashioned service.
Whilst the core focus still remains the farming industry, sales to the general public and other non-farming enterprises have increased dramatically in the past decade, with the man on the street realising that he or she too can reap the benefits of shopping at their local Co-op!
All of this bodes well for Coastals, and we look forward to the next 75 years!
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