Business

The man who founded South Africa’s first grocery store

Kirsten Minnaar • 21 October 2025

Charles Thrupp founded Thrupps, South Africa’s first grocery store, over 130 years ago during Johannesburg’s gold rush in 1892.

The store has endured numerous wars, innovations, and political changes, but it remains a staple of Johannesburg today.

In 1882, Charles Henry Thrupp left the United Kingdom and came to South Africa, where he made his way to King Williams Town to work as a local wholesaler.

This was during the height of the gold rush in Johannesburg, and there were plenty of opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

Thrupp’s firm called on him to open and manage a store in Johannesburg, but after several years of good trade, the business fell on hard times and was forced to close its doors in 1892.

Despite this setback, Thrupp saw Johannesburg’s potential and decided to acquire the grocery side of the business. Later that year, he opened his first store, Thrupps, on the busy and dusty corner of President and Eloff Street in the centre of town.

Thrupp soon discovered that imported goods were in high demand. The store quickly gained a reputation as the business of choice for the discerning customer who wanted quality local produce and imported specialities from all over the world.

By the early 1900s, the cargo ships that sailed from the United Kingdom were laden with crates marked “Thrupps” and filled with assorted delicacies.

A key part of Thrupps’ business – which still exists today – was its daily delivery service, which started with horse-drawn vehicles and bicycles, which were later replaced by motorised vehicles.

This service, together with monthly accounts, a home and gift section, food hampers, catering and a vast array of the best local and imported foods, made Thrupps a unique South African grocery store.

Unfortunately, Thrupp was forced to leave Johannesburg when the Anglo-Boer War broke out in 1899. He only returned after the war ended in 1902 and established the business again at a prime Pritchard Street address.

The site was located a mere erf away from the highly valued intersection of Eloff and Pritchard Street. This intersection went on to become South Africa’s most valuable land for more than seven decades.

Thrupp also opened two wine and spirit stores in 1902 and 1903 in Penlan House on Eloff Street and Jeppestown.

A South African staple

The store occupied several premises in Johannesburg before a major move to Rosebank in the northern suburbs in 1947, which later became its headquarters in 1966.

After World War II, over one million food parcels were packed and posted to Britain, which meant an added workload of 1,000 parcels a day for four years.

Among their food parcel clients were The Rt Hon. J. C. Smuts of Doornkloof, Irene, who sent supplies to the Queen at Buckingham Palace, Queen Mary at Kensington Palace and Sir Winston Churchill at Hyde Park Gate in London.

In the 1990s, Thrupp moved the business to the Thrupps Illovo Centre at 204 Oxford Road in Illovo, between the busy Rosebank and Sandton precincts. This location still houses the Thrupps flagship store today.

In 2014, Thrupps hit another major milestone when it announced that it would be partnering with petrol company Total and JSE-listed Famous Brands.

In October that year, Thrupps opened its first store in a Total forecourt, in Senderwood, Bedfordview, where it still operates today.

Thrupps has been mulling over the idea of expansion for some time and decided that this was an opportunity to reach more customers.

Today, Thrupps remains a South African staple as the store works to combine its historic heritage with innovation.

“Through carefully balancing old-world values with modern technology and systems, Thrupps caters for a wide range of customers and is well placed to expand the service ethic which remains the cornerstone of their business,” Thrupps states.

“The future will always be determined by customer needs, and Thrupps will provide a full service and product to make your in-store shopping as entertaining as possible.”

Shoppers can find classic grocery items at Thrupps, as well as a range of speciality products, such as imported cheeses, its famous three-in-one “Turducken” and organic produce.

The store also offers a range of unique, speciality services, such as delivery and catering. Thrupps’ hampers, flower and gift services ensure that customers find the right gift for any occasion.

Thrupps wraps gifts, packs picnic baskets for special occasions, and helps customers coordinate wedding lists and gift suggestions.