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!
Whether you’re shopping local or travelling further afield, KOS has some handy tips for factory shopping:
Wear comfortable shoes. This is a must – I have learnt from experience! If you are going on a major spree, you could be traipsing the streets for hours on end and there is nothing worse than having sore feet! Also, wear comfortable clothes and wear layers – if you get hot you can peel off the layers as you go.
Take a friend – shopping is always more fun with a friend! You will have some company, and you can give each other a second opinion on garments. It’s also safer to travel in pairs if you are going to an isolated or industrial area.
Don’t expect fancy change rooms – or any at all! Consider wearing tights and a vest under your clothes in case there are no change rooms and you want to try something on.
Phone ahead. If you are travelling far afield, it’s best to phone the factory shop first, as factory shops often work irregular hours or can close down without warning. I’ve been caught out this way before! Also, phone ahead to make sure the shop you are visiting accepts cards – you might have to take cash with you. BUT if you do carry cash, please be aware of your safety at all times and don’t carry huge amounts of cash.
If you are going to food factory shops, make sure you travel with a cooler bag/box in your car, so that if you buy any frozen or cold products, they will stay fresh in your car for the duration of your shopping trip.
Plan your route. Know in advance which factory shops you want to visit, and plan the route so you visit them in a logical order, instead of driving all over town haphazardly and retracing steps. This will save you time and petrol!
Most of all – have fun! You can find some great deals at factory shops, so go ahead and spoil yourself this month.
By Sarah Mackintosh.