Page 116 - 2019\20 KZN Top Business Portfolio - EBOOK

HIRSCH’S

Richard Hirsch, Margaret Hirsch, Luci Hirsch & Allan Hirsch
www.hirschs.co.za

A SOLID REPUTATION they always say ‘Yes’. Don’t let anything hold you
back from trying new things in your life.” Margaret
Allan and Margaret Hirsch started their family is integrally involved with all aspects of Hirsch’s
run appliance business in a tiny showroom in operations and visits each store regularly. Every week
Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Durban in 1979. Today Hirsch’s the Hirsch’s spend two nights in KwaZulu-Natal, two
has grown into a chain of mega appliance and home in Gauteng, and two in Cape Town. Margaret’s hands-
furnishing stores in KwaZulu-Natal, the Cape and on approach is apparent in that she does not have an
Gauteng. Their strength, they believe, is in their well office in any of the branches. She sits at a desk on the
trained staff, and customer service. shop floor and helps deal with everything from staff
recruitment to customer complaints and queries on
The Hirsch’s started off small, building a strong
base of customers over the years, first with repairs a daily basis.
and second-hand repaired appliances and then into a As a family, the Hirsch’s form a formidable force
fully fledged appliance retailer. Hirsch’s is very much supported by their management team who have a
a family run business with all four members of the strong commitment to the same goals. They are backed
Hirsch family involved in day to day operations. by 850 permanent employees who are as dedicated to
the company as the Hirsch’s and their management
Over the years the company has continued to build team are. The Hirsch family does not take anything for
a solid reputation by being associated with big granted and are regularly involved in various charities
brands, giving good service and carrying a wide and sponsorships. Their giving nature ensures that
range of products for the home. In KZN in 2000, they constantly support the less fortunate and they are
they started their Home Store concept, where almost always willing to help those in need. Allan, for instance,
everything for the home can be purchased under one is a patron of the Phoenix Child Welfare society and
roof. This proved to be a great success and two years Richard is a patron of the Claire-Ellis School. Margaret
later, in 2002, they took the concept to Gauteng. In is involved with the School for the Blind in Gauteng.
April 2012 they opened their first branch in Cape Town Since 2012, she has been instrumental in helping to
(Milnerton). They also have a strong online presence get the Girls with Dignity project off the ground and
with customers from around South Africa shopping has personally purchased thousands of panty packs
from Hirsch’s online site.
to hand out to girls in underprivileged areas so they can
Over the past 40 years their entrepreneurial spirit has attend school full time, where she gives inspirational
also helped drive the growth of the business. In 1983 talks to all the students. Young women in Africa have
Allan bought a couple of microwaves believing that been reported as being absent from school for a
this was one of the new must have products. He period of at least four days per month, this number can
was disappointed to still have microwaves in stock total up to approximately 24 weeks out of 144 weeks in
at the end of the month. The Hirsch’s decided to a four year period of high school. Being passionate
have an evening cooking demonstration and about Women’s empowerment, Margaret has also
sold 11 microwaves on the first evening. However, started business women’s networking events around
once people bought the microwave they didn’t know the country.
how to use them, so Margaret started a microwave Technology and Marketing
cookery school.
Commenting on Hirsch’s marketing strategy, and
Margaret said, “I always say to people “If you knew that how online advertising has become an important
you were going to succeed, would you try it?” and feature, Allan says “Technology has become almost
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