NEW ERA: Mushosho appointed Edgars CEO, as retail giant seeks to reclaim Zimbabwean clothing consumers

KINGSTONE ZIMUNYA

HARARE — Edgars, a prominent African clothing retailer, has made substantial changes to its leadership in an effort to restore its previous standing. The company has replaced chief executive officer (CEO) Tjeludo Ndlovu and chief financial officer (CFO) Happiness Vundla as part of a strategy by majority shareholder Sub-Sahara Capital Group (SSCG) to revive the retailer’s fortunes.

Ndlovu, who had been CEO since 2020, and Vundla, who took on the CFO role in 2021, both left the company as of October 31.

The new CEO, Sevious Mushosho, is a former SSCG executive who joined the Edgars board after SSCG acquired a majority stake in the company from South Africa’s Edcon in 2019.

The board has also announced two other changes, the first one being the appointment of Peter Mnyama to Executive Director - Retail Chains.  The industry veteran has been elevated from the Managing Director position, having been with Edgars since 1998. 

The group has also appointed Mr. Mark Robb as a Non-Executive Director of the board. Robb is a skilled IT professional with over 22 years multinational experience across Fintech, Banking, FMCG, Media, Manufacturing, and Agricultural sectors.

Edgars has felt the impact of Zimbabwe’s struggling economy, with currency distortions, rising inflation, and competition from the informal market all contributing to its difficulties. The company also lost seven trading weeks due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

At this conjuncture, Edgars now faces a critical decision—either compete on the same terms as its rivals or strive to surpass them. The latter appears to be the path chosen by new shareholder SSCG. At the launch of Edgars’ new summer collection on October 7, it was clear that the retailer would be focusing on exclusivity and quality while aligning with global fashion trends.

Edgars aims to control its supply chain and oversee the quality of raw materials, production processes, and delivery times for its merchandise. This is not an empty promise; it’s a strategic move away from simply being a reseller like boutiques and thrift stores.

The company has revitalized its Carousel Manufacturers factory in Bulawayo, creating thousands of jobs. This change in leadership is just another step towards implementing SSCG’s strategy for Edgars. While some may attribute Mushosho’s appointment to his time as an SSCG executive, it’s his credentials that make him an ideal choice.

With twenty years of experience across Sub-Saharan Africa, Mushosho brings exactly what Edgars needs to reinvent itself as a premier clothing retailer offering consumers a world-class shopping experience.