Business
Hisense to Launch First South African Premium Store at Canal Walk this November
A new era for tech retail in Mzansi
Global electronics giant Hisense is set to open its first premium brand store in South Africa this November, right on time for Black Friday. The flagship space, located at Canal Walk Shopping Centre in Cape Town, will give South Africans an up-close look at the company’s latest innovations, from ultra-sized TVs to next-generation smart home technology.
Far from being just another retail outlet, the new store has been designed as an experience centre, a place where shoppers can explore Hisense’s high-end range through interactive demonstrations and exclusive launch deals.
Made in South Africa, built for the world
Visitors can expect to see some truly impressive tech on display, including Africa’s largest television, the 116-inch UX. Proudly assembled at Hisense’s Atlantis manufacturing plant, the colossal screen represents both the brand’s global design excellence and its local production strength.
For Hisense South Africa, this opening is more than a business milestone; it’s a celebration of nearly three decades of growth since the company entered the local market in 1996. The Cape Town factory, which opened in 2013, has been a cornerstone of that journey, helping the brand evolve from a value-focused newcomer to one of South Africa’s top players in TVs and home appliances.
According to Luna Nortje, Deputy General Manager at Hisense South Africa, the Canal Walk launch symbolises the future of home living. “Century City was built to represent the future of urban life in South Africa, and this store represents the future of home technology,” she explained.
More than retail: a commitment to local growth
Hisense’s commitment to South Africa runs deep. Its Atlantis facility, based in the Atlantis Special Economic Zone, employs more than 1,000 South Africans and has attracted over R350 million in investment since its launch 11 years ago. The factory produces televisions and refrigerators for local consumers and exports to markets such as the United Kingdom and other African countries.
Beyond manufacturing, Hisense has also invested in people. In September 2025, the company introduced a SETA-accredited learnership programme, offering 100 young residents from Atlantis a year-long opportunity to gain hands-on experience and technical skills. Nortje said such initiatives reflect Hisense’s belief that “South Africa deserves not only the world’s best technology but the opportunity to create it.”
A glimpse into the store of the future
The Canal Walk store aims to blur the line between retail and innovation. Shoppers will be able to test AI-powered refrigerators, Mini-LED TVs, laser projectors, and smart home devices, all within a space designed to showcase Hisense’s premium range in an immersive way.
This marks a strategic move for Hisense, aligning its South African presence with its global positioning as a high-end consumer technology leader. The company’s local operations already play a major role in its worldwide growth, with the Atlantis factory capable of producing up to one million TVs and half a million fridges every year.
Global innovation, proudly local roots
Globally, Hisense employs over 100,000 people, with 66 overseas offices and 25 research and development centres, including one in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab. But even with its international reach, the company says its South African mission remains firmly grounded in local manufacturing, skills development, and sustainability.
As the brand prepares to cut the ribbon at Canal Walk, one thing is clear: Hisense isn’t just selling appliances; it’s building a stronger connection between world-class technology and the people who make it possible right here at home.
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Source: Business Tech
Featured Image: Caixin Global
