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Builders Warehouse opens in Botswana

13 October 2011

South African DIY and home improvement chain Builders Warehouse has made its first foray outside South Africa with the opening of a new store in Gaborone, Botswana.

The store, which opened at the Airport Junction Shopping Centre in Gaborone last month, aims to give customers in the city a new shopping experience by offering a wide selection of quality building materials and home improvement products.

"As the largest home improvement retailer in the industry in South Africa, we are delighted to be opening in Gaborone," Massbuild CEO Llewellyn Walters said at the store opening, which was attended by Botswana's Labour and Home Affairs Minster Peter Siele and Assistant Trade and Industry Minister Vincent Seretse.

"We look forward to bringing customers the best choice at the lowest possible prices, with exceptional service delivery thanks to our enthusiastic, experienced and committed staff."

Corporate social responsibility

Customer appetite for the Builders Warehouse offering was re-enforced with opening sales that far exceeded targeted expectations.

According to the statement, Builders Warehouse encourages continuous engagement and participation with the local communities that it serves and is specifically committed to supporting and promoting initiatives that focus on educational sustainability.

Builders Warehouse Gaborone donated 20 000 pula each to Ikageng primary School, Tswaragano Primary School, Moamogwe Primary School, while the company's staff visited each of the schools and have directly assisted them with minor revamping, gardening and painting.

The chain store is a part of Massmart, which also owns retail chain stores like Game, Makro and Dion Wired. The world's largest retailer, US-based Walmart, acquired a 51% stake in Massmart for R16.5-billion in May this year.

SAinfo reporter