Hirsch’s, a name synonymous with service and brand excellence has taken the home appliance world by storm! With seventeen branches and concept stores spread throughout South Africa, they have become a force to be reckoned with.
An appliance repair man who unwittingly became an entrepreneur, Allan Hirsch and his wife Margaret started their family run appliance business in a tiny showroom in Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Durban, in 1979 with just R900 that they had saved.
Today Hirsch’s has grown into a chain of mega appliance and home furnishing stores in KZN, Cape Town and Gauteng. By the end of 2012, Hirsch will have topped the R1 billion turnover milestone . The Hirsch’s started off small, but have built a strong base of customers over the years, first with repairs and second-hand repaired appliances and then into a fully-fledged appliance, electronics and household goods retailer. Hirsch’s is very much a family run business with all four members of the Hirsch family involved in day to day operations. Over the years, Margaret, the Chief Operations Officer of the company, has seen potential where most people see obstacles. When microwaves first hit the South African market, Margaret mastered the product, and saw an opportunity to provide an additional valuable service to customers. She started a Microwave cooking school, which ultimately led to Hirsch’s publishing a very successful microwave cookbook which is still available in all stores today. A second book, Living The Vegetarian Life was published in July this year. It is apt that this dynamic, motivated woman was recently crowned BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR (Entrepreneur). Last year CEO magazine nominated her as the Most Influential Woman in Retail in South Africa.
Hirsch’s have grown at a phenomenal pace, launching, on average, one store every two years. In 1998, motivated by the determination and drive in his parents; Richard Hirsch decided to join them in their venture of product and service excellence. A year later Luci joined the family business.
Richard is Managing Director of the Hirsch Group and while working his way through the ranks has proven time again that his commitment to his customers and to the Hirsch brand will always be a top priority.
Luci started out as Margaret’s PA, and was also given the chance to work her way up in the company and find her niche. She did, and has taken the role as the Advertising co-ordinator to a whole new level. Luci Hirsch, the Voice Of Hirsch’s has become a household name.
As a family, the Hirsch’s form a formidable force supported by their management team who have a strong commitment to the same goals. This team is backed by 600 permanent employees and about 400 casual staff members who are as dedicated to the company as the Hirsch’s and their management team are. The Hirsch family does not take anything for granted and are regularly involved in various charities and sponsorships. Their giving nature ensures that they constantly support the less fortunate and they are always willing to help those in need. Allan, for instance, is a patron of the Phoenix Child Welfare society and Richard is a patron of the Claire-Ellis School.