Franchise IT retailer Computer Corporation, launched five years ago in Pretoria, has opened its 25th franchise outlet in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal.
The group has plans to open a further 30 outlets in the greater Johannesburg area next year, says CEO Piet van Rensburg, who commented that the company has seen "tremendous growth" over the past 18 months.
"From now - and particularly during 2007 - we will be focusing on a major roll-out in Johannesburg and the surrounding areas. We aim to open a total of 30 outlets during the 2007 calendar year."
The company will open a 3 000 square-metre warehouse in Gauteng, Van Rensburg says, which is expected to be operational in three months. While focusing on selling the Computer Corporation brand, the group also sells brands like Lexmark and Fujitsu Siemens, and is "finalising the paperwork" to become a Microsoft OEM partner, he adds.
"Although our focus will be on the greater Johannesburg area, we are receiving franchise requests from around the country. We are taking cognisance of the interest and will be looking at these opportunities in the near future," says Van Rensburg.
"But we first want to establish a really strong footprint in the Gauteng region. In terms of our roll-out plan, we anticipate having 50 franchise outlets by the end of the 2007 calendar year, and, within the next three years, we intend to breach the 100 outlet mark."
During the past two years the company has opened outlets in Secunda, Silverton, Klerksdorp, Nelspruit, Witbank, Bloemfontein, Centurion, Rustenburg, Willows, Mafikeng, Midrand, Rooihuiskraal, Thabazimbi, Zeerust, Wonderpark, and Lenasia.
Share