A retailer that specialises in discounted products that are short-dated, as well as past-best-before goods, has indicated on expanding across South Africa.
Best Before has already captured the interest of cash-conscious shoppers with its business model, with plans to open shops in major cities and towns all over the country, according to BusinessTech.
The retailer’s growth has been fuelled by ‘surging demand’ from consumers eager for more affordable shopping options.
This is according to Alain Soriano, Best Before co-founder.
Established in 2017, Best Before carved out a niche in the country’s retail landscape by offering food and personal care products at a lower price, when compared to competitor stores, such as Checkers and Pick ‘n’ Pay.
The retailer’s business model consists of selling products that are close to or slightly past their best-before date but are still within their use-by date for consumption.
This will allow the company to purchase goods in bulk at high discounts from trusted suppliers, while Best Before will pass the savings on to their customers.
Soriano has emphasised that the best-before date simply indicates optimal quality, not safety and to reassure shoppers, Best Before does offer a refund policy for any product that does not meet customer satisfaction.
Consumers have reacted positively to this response, especially middle-class South Africans, who are looking to stretch their budgets without compromising on essential groceries.
Best Before’s popularity has been evident with its rapid growth and following that has been increasing.
The company started with a single store in Wendywood, Sandton, and eventually expanded to seven locations.
These locations included stores in Boksburg, Edenvale, Fourways, Northcliff, Krugersdorp and the Atterbury Lifestyle Centre in Pretoria.
In addition, the company has offered the option of online shopping for Gauteng residents. There have also been plans to roll out this option to other provinces soon.
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