| Wed 10 Oct 2001, 0:00 | | ILIAD AFRICA INVESTS WITH CONFIDENCE IN KZN |
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DURBAN - JSE-listed retailer Iliad Africa Limited is broadening its trading footprint in KwaZulu-Natal. Its existing Citiwood, Just Tiles and Ferreira’s Decor World outlets will be complemented by the opening of a Knob & Knocker store situated in the East Coast Radio building, ‘The Vibes’, in Umhlanga Ridge.
"As affluent home owners relocate to more upmarket areas and developments, including Zimbali and Mount Edgecombe, so Umhlanga Ridge retailers such as those of Iliad Africa, benefit from the growing decentralized spending power. The recently completed Gateway shopping centre in Umhlanga will attract increased shopper traffic to the area, further stimulating spill-over trade. We have already experienced this upsurge in trading activity at our Ferreira’s Decor World store, located in ‘The Square’ at Umhlanga Ridge, where turnover has grown 20% month-on-month since opening nine months ago," states Ralph Patmore, CEO of Iliad Africa Limited.
To improve the shopping experience for their customers, Iliad Africa is further investing in the Durban business district by upgrading its Just Tiles outlet in Hunter street. The outlet will now stock a comprehensive range of sanitaryware and taps to augment its ceramic tile stock holding.
The well-established Citiwood business, a redistributor of wood particle board to the shop fitting, kitchen industry and D-I-Y markets, has shown solid growth over the last two years.
Based in Springfield, the Natal operations of Citiwood was running at a loss when Iliad took over the group in June 1995. "Through the application of modern retailing skills, the new management team under leadership of Jannie Coetzee restored the business to profitability by refining store management efficiencies. Motivated staff culminated in improved service levels, winning the team the accolades for the most improved business in 1999 within the group, which has since then continued its robust growth," Patmore explains.
Iliad operates as the dominant niche supplier to the residential market in various geographical locations. Residential markets account for some 60% of the group’s sales.
"A large part of the secondary market remains unmeasured, and includes expenditure on the refurbishing of the many holiday homes along the coast. Consequently renovations, additions and alterations, estimated to be greater than R10 billion for the South African market, will drive sales further at our outlets in the KZN region," continues Patmore.
In future, home improvers here will have access to quality finishing products, both imported and local. The two Umhlanga Ridge stores will carry brandnames such as Emil, Domino, Tau, Imola and Martinelli.
"Our continued expansion and store upgrade program is founded in management’s confidence in the sustainability of the KZN market, which has shown remarkable resilience despite tough trading conditions in the building and construction industry," Patmore concludes.
As from 10 October this year, Ferreira’s DecorWorld and The Knob & Knocker will be exhibiting a comprehensive range of their products available to the region at Decorex KZN.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor
Iliad Africa Ltd focuses on the sourcing, distributing and retailing of the entire spectrum of ceramic tiles, sanitaryware, bathroom fittings, hardware, building materials, interior and exterior finishes, finished wood products and related accessories. Customers include building companies and
developers, as well as individuals undertaking minor home improvements. The Iliad group at present has four well-established operating divisions of which the management structures have been retained so as to build on the owner-manager philosophy that has been crucial to the group's current success. Proven trading skills and success at operational level have been positive contributions to Iliad's overall business.
Contact details:
Issued on behalf of
:
ILIAD AFRICA LIMITED
Client Contact
:
Ralph Patmore
Tel No
:
(011) 467-2891
e-Mail
:
iliad@netactive.co.za
Editorial Contact
:
Suza Adam
Tel No
:
(011) 880-0364
Fax No
(011) 788-3697
e-Mail
:
southgro@icon.co.za
__________________________________
Lindy Heunis
Account Executive
Southgro Investor Relations (Pty) Ltd
+ 27 11 880-0364 (t)
+ 27 11 788-3697 (f)
