Labels4Less
From its inconspicuous perch on Cape Town’s fashion-centric Kloof Street, Labels4Less sells high-end brands for between 40% and 60% less than the original price. The tidy, semi-private space boasts racks of discounted Energie and Diesel jeans, Superdry and Armani T-shirts, Replay swimwear, Café Coton menswear and much more. And because owner Francis Massa is adamant that rejects, knock-offs and flawed goods don’t get passed the front door, bargain hunters can rest assured that the stylish threads on offer are 100% authentic and up to standard. The Frenchman meticulously sources his clothing from Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and France, giving shoppers a rare opportunity to score the type of fashion that’s normally only available overseas. What’s more, the clean, contemporary store is a refreshing departure from the dingy bargain basements generally associated with such killer steals. And finally, those who can’t make it to the physical shopfront in Gardens can check out the collection at the Labels4Less online shop (Labels4Less.co.za).
Opening times: Monday – Friday: 9am – 5:30pm; Saturday: 9am – 2pm
103 Kloof Street | Cnr Kloof and Weltevreden streets | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0) 80 044 4723 (toll free)
Marcel’s Frozen Yoghurt Factory Shop
Based at Access Park in Kenilworth, this beautifully laid out factory shop gives those with a sweet tooth access to South Africa’s premium frozen yoghurt brand for bargain prices. The shop stocks Marcel’s 175-mL and 1-L anytime tubs and wrapped lollies at around 40% less the standard cost, and all the flavours are generally available, from Chocolate, English Toffee and Strawberry to Cotton Candy, Salted Caramel, Cheesecake and Turkish Delight. The froyo is much-loved for its supreme quality – it’s won multiple awards – delicious taste and creamy, real-dairy texture, so the factory shop is a great way to get your hands on superior swirls while keeping cash in your pocket. What’s more, the tubs and wrapped bars are great additions to any dinner party or kids’ birthday bash, so keep this hotspot in mind if you’re working on a budget.
Opening times: Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm; Saturday: 9:30am – 3pm; Sunday: 10am – 1pm
Access Park | 81 Chicester Road | Kenilworth | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 683 0492
Access Park
This full-scale, mega factory shopping complex, conveniently located in both Kenilworth and Kuilsrivier, is the mecca of all bargain outlets, the ultimate wonderland for the wallet-wary. With over 100 factory shops and branded outlet stores geared at guaranteeing major savings, the centre satisfies all possible customer needs, providing anything from fashion, footwear and sports accessories to party goods, bedding and fresh food. Although there are many smaller stores, big brands that have taken up residence here, offering their sought-after goods at drastically marked-down prices (between 30% and 50% less), include Guess, Cotton On, Levi’s, Nike, Puma, Triumph International, American Swiss, Aldo, Forever New, Superga, Cape Union Mart, Fruit and Veg City, Mr Price, New Balance and Crocs Shoes (see a full directory of Access Park stores). And although buyers can expect to find mainly last season’s stock, most of the individual shops have a strict no-damaged-goods policy, so the majority of the items sold are in tip-top condition and merely more affordable. If there’s one spot to stop to buy quality designer wares direct, this is it.
Opening times: Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm; Saturday: 9am – 3pm; Sunday: 10am – 2pm (do note: most of the Kuilsrivier stores are closed on Sundays)
81 Chichester Road | Kenilworth | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 683 5885; 1 Van Riebeeck Road | Kuilsrivier | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 903 6523
Note: Factory outlets differ slightly between the branches in Kenilworth and Kuilsrivier, so be sure to contact the respective branches to confirm which stores are present at each.
Playtex Factory Shop
Based in the industrial suburb of Salt River, this bargain hotspot brings covetable items from favourite ladies’ lingerie brands Playtex and Wonderbra; men’s underwear label Bear; and an extensive range of socks to eager customers at significantly reduced prices (roughly 50% off in most cases). And the lowered costs don’t reflect any compromise in quality; rather than being retail rejects, all products are strictly factory surplus – items that have not sold out in the specified three-month period. So, patrons can expect to purchase the same standard comfortable everyday basics and supportive, sensual intimates that they would find hanging on the aisles of key large-scale stockists, like Truworths, Edgars, Foschini and Stuttafords.
Opening times: Monday – Thursday: 8:30am – 4pm; Friday: 8:30am – 2pm; Saturday: 8:30am – 1pm
Shop 6 and 7 | Brickfield Park | 18 Brickfield Road | Salt River | +27 (0) 21 447 4930
Zoom Footwear Factory Shop
A shoe-loving bargain hunter’s utopia, this Lower Long Street-based factory shop gives customers the chance to buy fine footwear that’s of the same level of quality as items found at Zoom retail stores and stockists; only, prices are far friendlier (up to 50% lower than at regular shops). The CBD centre for the thrifty stocks a wide assortment of affordable ladies’ shoes in multiple styles – stilettos, heeled sandals, platforms, pumps, thongs and ankle boots, for instance – as well as a selection of men’s footwear and a range of handbags and jewellery. All of the products are in perfect condition; they simply found their way into the factory store as they’re overruns that are a season or two behind what’s currently on retail shelves.
Opening times: Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm; Saturday: 9am – 1pm
2 Lower Long Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 418 3966
Seeking branded footwear that won’t break the bank? Here are a few additional factory stores that specialise in cost-price shoes or related wear:
- Jordan Footwear Factory Outlet – Somerset West, Elsies River, Tokai, Montagu, Bellville, Goodwood and Woodstock (Head Office: +27 (0) 21 590 7000)
- Green Cross Factory Shop – Epping 1 (+27 (0) 21 507 9797)
- Falke Socks and Hosiery – Bellville South ( +27 (0)21 951 2137)
Freezerland
Former suppliers of chief retailers like Woolworths, Spar and Pick n Pay, this Cape Town-based brand is a prime producer of high quality frozen foods. Their six factory shops, which are spread throughout the Mother City, sell a broad array of iced products – including chicken schnitzels, beef burgers, cannelloni, spare ribs, hake strips, pizza, pies, frozen vegetables, malva pudding, brandy tarts and waffles – at discounted prices without the large markup often added by conglomerates. In essence, they are the key spot to stop for affordable, quick convenience foods. While their flagship Northern Suburbs outlet is in Bellville, stores can also be found in Durbanville, Somerset West, Ottery, Tokai and Paarl.
Opening times: Monday – Friday: 9am – 5:30pm; Saturday: 9am – 3pm (Bellville shop)
Unit 6 | Boulevard Park | Cnr. Tiennie Meyer and Mike Pienaar roads | Bellville | +27 (0)21 930 4190
Woolworths Factory Shops
Although not officially known as the Woolworths factory shops, the Nibbly Bits outlets in Paarl, Durbanville, Somerset West, Retreat and Parklands and The Compass Bakery in Diep River (it moved from Kommetjie in August 2014) are key suppliers of this popular retail chain’s tasty baked goods. These outlets, which vend items at reduced costs, are thus ideal for those who are a fan of Woolies’ unique, high-quality, ethically-produced treats, but not quite so fond of their hiked-up price tags. While Nibbly Bits is the place to visit for those seeking the brand’s handmade rusks, cookies, biscotti and small savoury snacks – their bran and muesli rusks, cheese straws and brownie bites are favourites – The Compass Bakery stocks Woolworths’ mouth-watering millionaire’s shortbread, crunchies, muffins, malva pudding, Swiss rolls and cupcakes. All items at these discount shops are just overflow from the factory and are identical to those found in-store – this does mean, however, that treats are subject to availability; thus, what’s on the shelves differs from day to day, so it’s always something of a lucky draw. The Compass Bakery factory shop also runs regular buy-one-get-one-free specials on items that have reached their sell-by date, and offers pensioners a 10% discount on already inexpensive goods every Tuesday and Thursday.
Opening times: Nibbly Bits: See the Nibbly Bits website for opening hours of the various branches: www.nibbly.co.za | The Compass Bakery: Monday – Friday: 8am – 5pm; Saturday: 8am – 2pm; Sunday: 9am – 2pm
Locations: Nibbly Bits: Shop 123 | Main Road | Paarl | + 27 (0)21 863 2207; 5 Pasita Street | Pasita Park | Rosenpark | Durbanville | +27 (0)21 914 7858; Shop 14 | Habitat Centre | Somerset Mall | Somerset West | +27 (0)21 850 0532; Shop 333 | Main Road | South Palms | Retreat | +27 (0)21 701 0611; Sandown Retail Centre | Sandown Road | Parklands | +27 (0)21 554 3541
The Compass Bakery: 98 Main Road | Tramways Village | Diep River | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 713 4483
Bargain Books Factory Shop
While the Bargain Books chain stores have already established themselves as the go-to spots for discounted reading material, the company’s only factory shop in Diep River promises a wide array of paper- and hardbacks at even lower prices. Spanning an area larger than a supermarket, the outlet claims a vast selection of fiction and non-fiction in almost every imaginable category, from local bestsellers and biographies to romance and children’s narratives, and even stocks a few recent releases. Although the immense, industrial shop is mainly orientated towards supplying disadvantaged schools and libraries and corporates looking to help boost the country’s literacy level in bulk, they’re equally willing to welcome any member of the public that’s simply seeking a good, inexpensive read.
Opening times: Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm; Saturday and public holidays: 9am – 2pm
89 De Waal Road | Diep River | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 706 1461
Lifson Linen Factory Shop
Promising a solid night’s sleep without threatening the finances, this leading linen brand’s Woodstock factory shop – which opened in 2010 due to popular demand – cuts their normal costs by cutting out the middle man and selling their luxurious bedding directly to the public. Lifson products available here include goose down duvets, eco-comfort pillows, scatter cushion inners, Egyptian cotton sheets and embroidered covers from their chief brands Royal Comfort and Fine Fibre. All items are original and freshly manufactured so shoppers can rest assured that they’re receiving the same fine Lifson quality that interior decorators and the retail and hospitality industries rely on.
Opening times: Monday – Thursday: 9am – 4:15pm; Friday: 9am – 3:45pm; Saturday: 9am – 12pm
5 Ravenscraig Mews | 8 Ravenscraig Road | Woodstock | Cape Town | +27 (0) 691 2300
Rug Warehouse/ Waltex Factory Shop
A key player in the local floor covering industry, this large Cape-based depot sells its quality carpets through leading homeware stores like Mr Price Home, as well as large-scale retail outlets like Pick n Pay and Game. At their factory shop in Parow, the public can now access their broad assortment of products directly for negotiated bargain prices. Aisles are overflowing with bedroom and lounge rugs, doormats, runners, kitchen mats, matching bathroom sets and even wall-to-wall carpets. While some of this stock has been turned away at the door of their main vendors due to faults (such as patterns being slightly misplaced), such defects are generally minor, and the warehouses do also sell newly manufactured items that are in perfect condition. With value for money as an important focus, Waltex is a smart home furnishings stop for the budget-savvy.
Opening times: Monday – Friday: 9am – 5:30pm; Saturday and Sunday: 9am – 1:30pm (Brackenfell); Monday – Thursday: 8am – 5pm; Friday: 8am – 3:30pm; Saturday and Sunday: 9am – 1pm
121 Rissik Street | Beaconvale | Parow Valley | +27 (0) 21 931 6068
The Candle Factory Shop
With branches in Cape Town’s Maitland, Retreat and Brackenfell, this factory outlet and wholesaler is a party planner’s paradise. In addition to a kaleidoscope of colourful candles that come in all shapes and forms (ball, pillar, floating, citronella and tea-light, to name a few), the store also trades in candleholders and related accessories – such as lanterns, lighters, snuffers, scent diffusers and fairy lights. Strangely enough, they also stock printed serviettes in an assortment of designs ideal for any occasion. As the store caters largely to the event organising industry, the staff are adept at offering customers helpful advice for arranging effective table settings and selecting special products suited to the function at hand. While prices are already competitive compared to retailers, they also offer discounts for items bought in bulk.
Opening times: Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5pm; Saturday: 8:30am – 2pm
79 8th Avenue | Maitland | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 593 6307; 6 Honeywell Road | Retreat | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 701 2101; Units K3 – K5 | Okavango Junction | Kenwil Drive | Brackenfell | +27 (0) 21 981 0528
