If you’ve grown up in Durban, you will surely have been factory shopping!
Stamford Hill Road, now known as Mathews Meyiwa Road, is quite possibly the hub of factory shopping in Durban, and I have many fond memories of shopping as a youngster (many moons ago) at all the surf factory shops, as well as in the Mayville area too, at places like the The Dungeon Factory Shop and others.
Today there are also many factory shops along Point Road, and that’s just in Durban itself – there are plenty of factory shops to be found inland as well, in places like Pinetown, and north and south of Durban too! Another hub of factory shopping can be found in Durban North. Basically, if you live in Durban, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to factory shopping. Here are some of our favourite factory shopping destinations in and around Durban.
I recently discovered the KOS factory shop in Durban North. I WISH I had known about this place sooner! It’s not big or fancy, but wow do they have some great deals! KOS is a food factory outlet that sells top quality food products at massive discounts. They buy and sell excess, residual, short-dated, past-dated, discontinued lines, overruns, cancelled orders and damaged products, which is why it’s so discounted. I went in there to have a look recently, and was super excited by all the wonderful products at low prices. They have branches in Durban North, Hillcrest and Pinetown. Go and check it out, you won’t be disappointed! Visit www.koskos.co.za.
Another VERY exciting find is that Château Gâteaux has a Factory Shop. I repeat; Château Gâteaux has a Factory Shop. It’s located at their state-of-the-art, world-class factory located at 1 Imvubupark Close, just off Nandi Drive, where they produce all their decadent gâteaux! Here you can find reject stock at discounted prices, as well as the standard range we all know and love at the normal Pâtisserie prices. It’s important to note everything is available on a strictly first-come-first served basis for all products and there is a strict returns policy. So what classifies a product as a reject? Either the cake does not meet the stringent specifications of the Quality Assurance Department, but is still safe to consume, or the cake meets the specifications of the Quality Assurance Department, but has decoration defects (height/shape/topping). The Factory Shop operates weekdays only from 10am to 4pm. So head over there if you have a sweet tooth! Email shop@chateaugateaux.co.za to be added to their mailing list for weekly updates of any items released.
Another favourite of ours is Excess Factory Shop in Morningside. Excess has something for every occasion, and I could seriously get lost in there… there are so many cool and useful products – it’s the perfect place to buy affordable gifts and products for your home. I did most of my Christmas shopping there last year, and found some really good bargains; from beach towels to handbags to bath products!
What’s even more exciting is that from the 25th to the end of EVERY month, they have their Hot Dot Sale – where they have drastic markdowns on prices, some items are as low as R5! You can find amazing bargains, so pop in for a look! Visit www.excessfactoryshop.co.za.
One not to miss is the Saradox Factory Shop, south of Durban. Saradox (Pty) Ltd develops and manufactures home and personal care products for brand owners in South Africa. The factory shop sells overruns, discontinued products and products with slight defects at discounted prices. Their ranges include body and skincare products, homecare, haircare, plus a gift range and a men’s shaving and grooming range and more. I was excited to see that one of the products they sell is Good Stuff, which I personally love, as it is cruelty-free and safe for the environment too! Best of all, they have an online shop, so if you live far away you can still shop there! Visit www.saradox.co.za.
If you live north of Durban you definitely have to pay Brunational Factory Shop in Ballito a visit! The factory shop supplies salon and spa products at affordable prices direct from the factory to the public. They stock a wide range of cosmetics, beauty and body products – including massage creams, pre and post wax products, pedicure and manicure treatments, salt scrubs and wraps as well as glycerine soaps, bath salts, toiletries, household cleaning products, skincare ranges and gifts, as well as supply products to guest houses and B&B lodges. The factory shop products are top quality products at prices that everyone can afford! What’s not to love? They also have an online store at www.brunational.co.za.
Last but not least, did you know that Galito’s has a factory in Glen Anil? It’s called Galito’s Central Kitchen and they sell their famous Galito’s flattie chickens (marinated and uncooked) wholesale to the public. They are based at 11 Shirldor Park, 7 Cypress Drive, Glen Anil. I’ve not been there yet but will certainly pay them a visit soon to check it out. Galito’s unique flame-grilled flavour and unwavering focus on product quality and affordability has fuelled its success throughout South Africa and the world. Along with their flame-grilled chicken, they welcome guests with true hospitality, warmth and a promise of great memories made over great meals. Call Karen on 031 569 4455 for more info.
By Sarah Mackintosh.