Iconic South African retailer’s plan to go from business rescue to booming

After successfully exiting business rescue proceedings, West Pack Lifestyle has entered a new chapter focused entirely on a franchise model.

With this model, the retailer believes it has the agility to grow its business sustainably and create more jobs than its previous model.

West Pack is one of South Africa’s most recognisable retail brands. Launched in 2008, the retailer’s offering includes storage and pantry solutions, cleaning and catering supplies, partyware and everyday essentials.

West Pack entered voluntary business rescue in June 2024 after years of financial distress, which the company attributed to its accelerated growth path, which strained cash flows.

“Retail is not for sissies,” West Pack Lifestyle director Chris Da Silva said. “We grew too fast, too quickly, and we’ve learnt from that.”

The retailer also attributed its financial struggles to South Africa’s struggling economy and load-shedding, saying these factors caused sales to decline and pushed the company into a loss.

When entering business rescue, West Pack said there was a reasonable prospect of it being saved.

Ultimately, these hopes were realised when, after just under a year in business rescue, the West Pack Corporate stores were sold to an individual investor during the business rescue process. 

West Pack Franchise was acquired by a new group of individual buyers earlier in 2025. Now, these owners are banking on the franchise model to propel the brand’s growth.

In a recent press release, the retailer outlined its franchising strategy, adding that it now operates more than 40 franchised outlets nationwide.

It believes that this move away from corporate-owned stores will ensure the brand’s agility, sustainability and growth.

“We have seen that franchised stores, led by owner-operators with skin in the game, are more resilient in a challenging retail environment,” Da Silva said.

“This shift ensures our brand remains strong, our shelves remain full, and our communities continue to have access to affordable essentials.”

Franchises rolling out across South Africa

West Pack said its decision to go all-in on a franchise model was based on wider trends observed in South Africa’s business landscape.

The retailer pointed to statistics from The Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA), which show that franchising contributes around 15% to the country’s GDP and supports nearly half a million jobs.

It said the sector has shown “remarkable resilience”, with the number of franchisees increasing by 43% since 2019.

“West Pack Lifestyle’s franchise model is designed to empower South Africans by providing turnkey businesses that support families and create jobs,” the retailer explained. 

“Each store employs between 20 and 40 staff, meaning that the opening of just five new outlets represents as many as 100 additional jobs.”

Recent data from Statistics South Africa has also shown that the country’s retail sector continues to play a vital role in the economy, with consistent consumer demand for affordable essentials. 

The Bureau of Market Research (BMR) also projects steady growth in 2025, particularly for retailers that deliver value and convenience.

West Pack Lifestyle believes that these are spaces it is well-positioned to excel in, as the brand also remains a sought-after tenant for shopping centres and retail parks.

In May 2025, West Pack Franchise’s new owners said these stores have largely maintained customer loyalty and sales turnover throughout the business rescue process.

At the time, the network had 66 franchisee-owned stores, but the new owners said they were exploring several additional locations due to the strong demand for West Pack’s offerings.

“Of the three new stores currently in the pipeline, two sites are situated where the brand previously traded, and landlords have welcomed their return,” the retailer said. 

“The brand’s popularity with South African households makes it an anchor tenant that drives consistent foot traffic.”

“With its transition to a fully franchised model, West Pack Lifestyle is positioning itself for sustainable growth while contributing to South Africa’s economic recovery.”

“The company’s focus remains on value-driven retail, supporting local suppliers, and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs.”