Iconic South African retailer back from the brink of liquidation

After just under a year in business rescue, retailer West Pack Lifestyle is eyeing a new strategy under its new owners, with a specific focus on a franchising model.

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

West Pack comprises numerous companies, including West Pack Lifestyle, West Pack Lifestyle Distribution Centre, West Pack Franchise, Petzone, and Petzone Franchise.

The company’s related businesses include Café Estreito, Café Estreito Franchise, and Beija Flor Investments. Overall, West Pack employs 924 employees.

However, the retailer 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.” 

West Pack also pointed to South Africa’s struggling economy and load-shedding, saying these factors caused sales to decline and pushed the company into a loss.

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

It explained that this process would allow the company to execute initiatives to restructure the business and drive its turnaround.

These initiatives included exploring offers to acquire some of West Pack’s assets or the whole business. The company also considered a corporate finance transaction and selling non-core assets to improve its financial position.

However, the West Pack Corporate stores were ultimately 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.

In a recent press release, these new owners said West Pack has emerged from business rescue with a renewed strategy centred on franchising.

They believe this model will ensure the group is positioned for stability and growth in a challenging economic climate.

“By moving to a franchise model, we’re giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to own and run their stores while keeping the brand strong, resilient and agile,” Da Silva said.

Emerging from business rescue

West Pack has two main divisions – West Pack Franchise and West Pack Corporate. The Franchise division is composed of 66 individually owned stores operated by franchisees, all of whom work in alignment with the West Pack brand’s ethos.

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.

In addition, the new owners said the West Pack Corporate stores, which were previously owned by the founders, will soon become part of the West Pack Franchise network.

On Tuesday, 19 August, the retailer said more than 40 West Pack Lifestyle stores across the country are operational and trading under the franchised model, with plans to open three more outlets before the end of the year. 

It explained that each franchise is capped at a maximum of five stores per owner, a decision designed to keep businesses manageable and closely aligned with the group’s ethos of personal, owner-driven retail.

“By going back to basics, we’ve secured a sustainable future for the brand,” Da Silva said.

“We have to slow down to grow again, and this model ensures that if one store experiences difficulty, it doesn’t compromise the entire business.”

West Pack Lifestyle emphasised that only its franchised and fully stocked outlets remain part of the group. 

While some stores trading under the West Pack name are no longer affiliated with the brand, customers can trust that those within the franchise network remain aligned with the company’s standards.

Looking ahead, Da Silva said the brand is excited to welcome new franchisees and continue supporting the South Africans who have remained loyal through difficult times. 

“Our stores are stocked and ready for you. We’re alive and well, and this next chapter is about building a stronger, more sustainable business for our franchisees, our staff, and our customers.”