SA Affordable Housing November - December 2018 // Issue: 73 | Page 19

EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS
Leroy Merlin launches first
African store
French retailer Leroy Merlin has opened its first store on the
African continent.
By Candace Sofianos King
F
orming part of Adeo, Leroy Merlin is the third largest
home improvement retailer worldwide with a
presence in 14 countries – France, Italy, Spain,
Portugal, Greece, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Russia,
Kazakhstan, Brazil, Cyprus, China and now South Africa.
Situated at Stoneridge Centre, Greenstone Hill in
Edenvale, Gauteng, the first African Leroy Merlin store boasts
a total surface area of 17 000m², which offers the South
African retail market the widest selection of construction,
home improvement, home decor products and tools, coupled
with more than 50 000 references in large quantities and
ample stock availability.
Customers can shop from various departments ranging
from construction, bathroom, kitchen, home decor, garden,
hardware, electrical, carpentry, plumbing, tools, fix&fasten,
storage and lighting. Products range from locally produced
brands and products, to internationally sourced items, 40%
of which are imported from Europe. The store also offers a
drive through service.
“Leroy Merlin really believes in the potential of the country
and other stores are already in preparation,” says Cédric
Sennepin, Leroy Merlin South Africa country leader.
He continues, “I really think that our new concept we call
‘phygital’ – the best of physical and the best of digital – will
offer a unique experience that South African customers
deserve and when I see the energy and the pleasure our
team members show towards their work, I am very confident
that we will succeed.”
Besides its unique offering, customers will experience a
modern store with showrooms to inspire and infographics to
better understand how to choose and install products. Leroy
Merlin also offers a variety of in-house services. The store
has also built great partnerships with Kandua that
recommends qualified contractors for various projects, as
well as Coastal Hire for all tool hiring requirements.
Leroy Merlin has been active in the community and as of
15 months ago, created a Workshop Fan Group of
enthusiastic DIYers that gather together a few times a week
to create and share their passion with one another. Due to
the incredible success of these workshops and requests from
fans, Leroy Merlin will be hosting workshops daily.
www.SAAffordableHousing.co.za
Products range from locally
produced brands and products,
to internationally sourced items.
Leroy Merlin opened its first store in South Africa on Friday 28
September 2018 and holds construction goods as well as such
goods as sanitation and electrical products.
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2018
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