Founded in Cape Town in 1934, the Lewis Group has been listed on the JSE Limited since 2004.
The group employs 8 847 permanent staff and is a strong supporter of the local furniture manufacturing sector. The group has 681 stores across all metropolitan areas and in rural South Africa, as well as a significant footprint in neighbouring African countries.
Lewis is the country’s largest furniture chain with 485 stores and is a household name in furniture retailing.
Beares, a well respected brand with a history dating back 80 years, was acquired by the group in 2014 and currently has 127 stores.
Best Home and Electric was established in 2008 and sells home appliances as well as furniture ranges through 141 stores.
United Furniture Outlets (UFO) is a luxury brand cash furniture retailer which targets the higher income market. Established in 2004 and acquired by the group in 2018. UFO has a footprint of 43 stores in South Africa.
Lewis and Best Home and Electric target customers in the middle to lower income markets in the living standards measurement (LSM) 4 to 7 categories. Beares attracts customers in higher LSM (7–8) markets where the group has traditionally had limited exposure. UFO has a value offering to the upper income market, namely LSM 9+.
Monarch Insurance, the group’s insurance subsidiary, offers insurance cover to customers purchasing merchandise on credit.
