International retailer coming to South Africa next month – with stores in the UK, Canada, USA, and more

UK-based Pret a Manger will open two stores in Johannesburg in 2025.

Pret a Manger (commonly referred to as Pret) primarily operates in the UK but has stores in 17 other countries, including the USA, France, Switzerland, Canada, India, and Hong Kong.

Pret offers a wide-ranging menu that includes sandwiches, salads, wraps, baked goods and snacks, as well as vegetarian and vegan options. There is also a wide selection of organic coffees, teas and other hot and cold beverages.

Speaking with BusinessTech, the Millat Group, which signed an exclusive license to operate Pret stores in Southern Africa, said the first two Pret stores.

The first store is set to open in Melrose Arch and is scheduled to open in the last week of January 2025.

The second store is in the Rosebank Zone and will open in late March/early April 2025.

Both stores are currently in the works, with the exterior of the Melrose Arch store close to completion.

Earlier this year, Millat said that additional shops are set to open in other technical locations within the nation’s key cities, such as Cape Town, Durban, and Pretoria.

“Pret A Manger has the best in the class offering of organic grab-and-go and a food service offering that stands out. This partnership is in line with Millat’s strategy of bringing global brands into South Africa,” said Millat Group CEO, Hamza Farooqui, at the signing of the license agreement.

“Pret’s decision to venture into South Africa is a reflection of the country’s vibrant economic potential.”

“Bringing Pret’s freshly made food and organic coffee to the African continent for the first time marks a major milestone in our international expansion,” added Pano Christou, CEO of Pret, at the signing.

“The partnership aligns with Millat’s vision of fostering entrepreneurship within South Africa, driving economic growth, and providing a service that will enhance the daily lives of South Africans.”

Other new international brands

Pret is not the only major international player to launch in South Africa, with several new companies coming to South Africa over the last few months.

In an exclusive retail partnership, the Foschini Group (TFG) signed a franchise agreement with the fashion sports and lifestyle retailer, JD Sports.

The UK-based JD Sports is an international fashion retailer of branded sports and casualwear and sells recognised brands like Nike, Adidas, New Balance, The North Face and Under Armour, as well as its own private labels.

JD Sports has 4,500 stores across 36 countries worldwide, which includes Australia, Singapore, Germany, France, the USA, Ireland and more.

The first JD Sports store in South Africa opened at Canal Walk Mall in Cape Town on 15 November 2024. The Cape Town store is found in a prime spot within the mall and features 780 sqm of space.

The second store opened on 10 December in Johannesburg’s Eastgate Mall.

In the airline industry, Norse Atlantic Airways started flying between London Gatwick and Cape Town. Three weekly flights between London and Cape Town will start on 28 October, with the group aiming to break the duopoly of the route (Virgin Atlantic and British Airways).

In the hospitality sector, the Millat Group also brought the luxury hotel brand Park Hyatt to Rosebank.

The 31-key luxury property is the smallest Park Hyatt in the world, with the Millat Group stating that it will redefine ultra-luxury hospitality in Johannesburg.

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