Entrepreneurship in the fashion retail industry : Sydney Press and the rise of Edgars 1929-1982

Abstract : The main focus of the study is Sydney Press and the contribution he made to the development of the Edgars Group and to the clothing and fashion retail sector through Edgars. His involvement spans from 1937 to 1982, after which the South African Breweries gained control of the Group. Although the first Edgars shop was established by Eli and Morris Ross, it was the very young Sydney Press who opened the second Edgars branch and commenced the development of this very prominent chain store Group in South Africa. Press’ entrepreneurial predisposition is evident from the beginning and the study is thus approached theoretically from an entrepreneurial perspective. To attain a better understanding of the development of the Edgars Group and the South African retail sector within a global context, an overview is given of the development of retail in the United States and Britain. The Edgars Group’s growth and performance is presented within its South African context by portraying the socio-economic environment, as well as the development of the retail sector and, specifically, fashion retail in South Africa. To this end, the development of Foschini, Truworths and Woolworths, as main competitors to the Edgars Group, is compared to assist the portrayal of Edgars’ progress and position in the retail sector.D.Litt. et Phil. (Historical Studies