HIRSCH’S TURNS 45!

The Hirsch’s group, the largest independently owned appliance and electronics retail outlet in Southern Africa, has plenty of reasons to celebrate this year. With a milestone of 45 years in the business, Hirsch’s continues to shine in a retail landscape where many have struggled. Not only did they surpass their financial targets, but they also expanded their footprint with two new branches in Montana in Tshwane and Claremont in the Western Cape. And the excitement doesn’t stop there—this week, they’re rolling out the red carpet for their sixth Samsung Concept Store, nestled in the vibrant Cavendish Square in Cape Town.

Founder of the company, Allan Hirsch commented that he is extremely appreciative of the support that Hirsch’s has received over the years from customers, suppliers and the tremendous staff complement. “Over the last 45 years, so much has happened in our industry with brands going out and new ones coming in. It’s exciting to see the many changes and improvements in products that have occurred over the years. We are proud of the growth that has taken place and are truly grateful to everyone who has contributed to our success.”

An appliance repair man who unwittingly became an entrepreneur, Allan and his wife Margaret started their family-run appliance business in a tiny showroom in Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Durban, in 1979 with just R900 they had saved. They started small but built a strong base of customers over the years, first with repairs and second-hand repaired appliances and then into a fully-fledged appliance retailer. After leaving school Allan joined Fuchsware where he spent 5 years learning all there was to know about refrigerator repair. Hirsch said that if it was not for his wife’s belief in him (she insisted he see a specialist who diagnosed dyslexia, a problem that had seen his self-esteem plummet during his schooling years) he would still be repairing fridges today.

Finding out that he was dyslexic changed his life and gave him the courage and determination to start the business and grow it into one of the best entrepreneurial success stories in South Africa. Over the last 45 years, Hirsch’s have had the joy of serving young married couples and helping them to set up their first homes with everything from air conditioning units to the tiniest kitchen gadgets. With their in-store service and spares department, they have helped couples resolve issues that sometimes arise with their appliances, replacing parts and sending out technicians if necessary, to help solve a problem. In 2002, the company brought Hirsch’s Homestore concept to Gauteng and in 2012 they opened their first branch in Cape Town. Today they own 20 branches and Samsung Concept stores in KZN, Gauteng and the Cape. Despite recessions and the global economic crisis, the Hirsch’s are upbeat about South Africa and their expansion plans in the face of the downturn attest to this.

Allan and Margaret’s son Richard Hirsch, CEO of the company, concludes: “We at Hirsch’s are so excited to be celebrating our 45th Birthday. We would like to do a big shout-out to our wonderful customers who have been shopping with us for generations. Our amazing team members work at Hirsch’s every day providing the level of service which our customers are used to. We are a proudly family-run business, and we are looking forward to serving our customers for the next 45 years.”