Business
Amazon Brings Shop Mzansi Pop-Up Stores to South Africa
Celebrating local talent this Heritage Month
Amazon South Africa is stepping into physical retail with its first Shop Mzansi pop-up stores in Johannesburg and Cape Town this September. The timing is deliberate, aligning with Heritage Month to spotlight local entrepreneurs and their products.
Shop Mzansi, introduced shortly after Amazon.co.za launched in 2024, is a dedicated storefront for South African goods. The pop-ups take this digital marketplace into shopping malls, giving customers the chance to interact directly with sellers and explore curated local products in person.
Where to find them
The pop-ups will run at two of the country’s busiest malls:
-
Johannesburg: Mall of Africa, 18–21 September
-
Cape Town: Tyger Valley Centre, 24–28 September
Each store will feature ten Shop Mzansi sellers offering a range of South African-made products. Visitors can expect product demonstrations, seller storytelling sessions, and exclusive offers for first-time Amazon customers.
Supporting small businesses
Robert Koen, Amazon’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, described the campaign as a way to celebrate South African creativity and entrepreneurship. He added that the initiative is designed to strengthen ties between small businesses and customers while highlighting Amazon’s commitment to the local market.
Mpho Modise, Head of Small Business for Amazon South Africa, said the pop-ups create a personal connection that goes beyond the digital storefront. Shoppers who cannot attend can still find all Shop Mzansi products online through Amazon’s website and app.
Wider retail context
Amazon’s move comes as South Africa’s retail space heats up. Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, is preparing to open its first branded local stores before the end of 2025. While Walmart has operated in the country since acquiring Massmart, this will be the first time it launches stores under its own name.
For Amazon, the Shop Mzansi pop-ups are both a celebration of Heritage Month and a signal of its long-term ambitions in South Africa. By blending global scale with local products, the company is giving small entrepreneurs a powerful stage.
Also read: Eskom Contains Prepaid Electricity Fraud After Major Vending Breach
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikT
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Source: Business Tech
Featured Image: CNBC Africa
