Page 65 - KZN Top Business Portfolio 2021/22- eBook

KwaZulu-Natal, two in Gauteng, and two in Cape
Town. Margaret’s hands-on approach is apparent
in that she does not have an office in any of the
branches. She sits at a desk on the shop floor and
helps deal with everything from staff recruitment to
customer complaints and queries on a daily basis.
Charities and Sponsorships
The Hirsch family does not take anything for
granted and are regularly involved in various
charities and sponsorships. Their giving nature Margaret surveying the damage at Springfield Park
ensures that they are always willing to help those in
need. Allan, for instance, is a patron of the Phoenix
Child Welfare society and Richard is a patron of the
Claire-Ellis School. Margaret is involved with the
School for the Blind in Gauteng. Since 2012, she has
been instrumental in helping to get the Girls with
Dignity project off the ground and has personally
purchased thousands of panty packs to hand out
to girls in underprivileged areas so they can attend
school full time. She also gives inspirational talks to
all the students. Being passionate about women’s The big clean up
empowerment and entrepreneurship, Margaret
has started business women’s networking events
around the country. These were held instore until
the pandemic and are now held virtually.
Technology and Marketing
Commenting on Hirsch’s marketing strategy, and
how online advertising has become an important
feature, Allan says “Technology has become almost
unrecognisable over the years. We have reached
this amazing communicative age where things
happen instantly. A lot more people are shopping Margaret Hirsch, Joewell Pillay, Pam Gaddiah,
Shivaan Somaroo in Hirsch’s Springfield
online and having goods delivered to them the
next day.”
We hold regular online cooking events for the
public and as well as the Women in Business and
entrepreneurs’ events, Margaret also holds monthly
property talks, bringing in experts to speak about
the latest trends in property.
Sustainability and Environment
Allan is passionate about the environment and
energy efficiency. “Many years ago, I realised how Hirsch’s Superstore Springfield re-opened
important energy efficiency was in South Africa.
It made me very aware of how appliances can be HIRSCH’S SPRINGFIELD PARK
used effectively and how certain appliances use – RENEWED, REVAMPED AND READY FOR TRADE!
After a week of clearing up, shopfitting and replacing
less water and less electricity and are quieter than appliances, Hirsch’s Superstore branch at Springfield Park
others. It is something we have been driving and that along with its neighbours was looted and trashed by
we try to encourage the consumer to buy energy vandals during the July riots, bounced back to normal and
efficient products. I believe as an appliance retail was up and running and ready for business!w Said Margaret
store we really can influence decisions and at the who never lost hope in getting the store back into its ship
shape state: “We were determined to bounce back – and
same time make a difference. We believe it starts thanks to a massive staff and community effort, we have
at the socket. If things that are not being used are done so! I am so proud of our team and would like to thank
unplugged it makes a difference,” he says. everyone involved in helping to get us back to normal.”
www.hirschs.co.za 63