HIRSCH’S – LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR!

Despite the recession, the Hirsch group has seen a period of steady growth over the years.  Commented  Hirsch’s   Managing  Director, Richard Hirsch   “2012, in particular, was a year of  amazing growth –  higher than previous years. Hirsch’s as a group is flying and we attribute this to our dedication to ensure that we have happy and satisfied customers who return often. This is only achieved by hard work and truly outstanding service. So a very big thanks to our staff for your dedication over the years, and to our customers -  thank  you, as  consumers,  for choosing Hirsch’s and for coming back and shopping with us whenever you required something. Thank you for your patronage and for giving us a wonderful 2012 - we are very excited  about 2013!

Highlights from 2012:

Our first branch in Cape Town, Milnerton opened. This is great because it extends our national footprint. We now have the Hirsch’s group in all 3 major areas – Gauteng, KZN and Cape Town. This has increased our opportunity window in the online marketing sector as well. Apart from our Milnerton store in Cape Town opening, we also opened 2 concept stores there – Bedroom Boutique and The lighthouse. Our Hirsch’s stores do cater for the bedroom and linen, however we have decided to branch out and give customers very specific service related to the products they will be purchasing. The Lighthouse store provides customers with lamps and lighting and it works hand in hand with the house and appliance theme. We also opened our Boksburg store in Gauteng and it has been a huge success. The team is very energetic and has worked extremely hard to get the branch up to  Hirsch standards.

In 2012 we redeveloped our Hirsch’s website which is e-commerce and  includes various features.  For instance, customers can create accounts and check up on orders they have placed.  The online experience has seen growth of 100 percent year on year which is very exciting for us.

This year has been a big year for Margaret and Allan.  They celebrated their 40^th wedding anniversary and shared it with our customers with a 40 percent off sale -  it caused quite the stir!

In August, Margaret received the  BWSA Business Woman of the Year award (Entrepreneur).  This was a huge achievement for her – and for the Hirsch group in general. We applaud her persistence to be an independent and successful woman.

Your Choice Awards , a survey run by the Daily News, voted the Hirsch’s group number one in 3 categories – Appliance Store, Home Electronics and Air-Conditioning supplier.  CEO of the group

Allan Hirsch commented: “It is very humbling to have received this accolade from the public and I am absolutely amazed and blown away. However, I know this couldn’t have happened without an incredible staff and the passion that we all have for our customers. I believe our mission statement of having happy customers who return often because a superior service is provided - is a deal breaker. Being a family store, we try to make sure people feel welcome in our stores and we really appreciate them spending their hard earned money with us. We are most grateful for the support and I would like to thank all our customers most sincerely as well as our incredible staff.”

The implementation of E-Training (training of staff online) to ensure all staff are updated on all aspects of our business was also introduced in 2012.

We introduced Hirsch’s to TV  on the Expresso Morning Show and then in December we did our 12 Days of Christmas Advert on Comedy Central. Our stores did extremely well and our growth rate increased by 13 per cent over the month of December.

This year wouldn’t have been the success that it has been if it wasn’t for our customer base, dedicated staff and wonderful  suppliers .

www.hirschs.co.za

HIRSCH’S FREE DOMESTIC WORKERS COURSE 2013 STARTS AGAIN

In 2012 the Domestic Workers Course hosted by Hirsch PMB proved to be a great success, ensuring over 40 domestics were trained to use and clean appliances and surface areas in the home. PRO, Victoria Laubscher said “Due to the success from last year, we have decided to run the course again” The first session started last week at the store in Chatterton street with Natasha Joseph from Samsung training on the proper cleaning of LED/LCD/PLASMA televisions. Any enquiries can be directed to PRO, Victoria Laubscher at 033 3453221 or victoria@hirschs.co.za

MARGARET HIRSCH TAKES “GIRLS WITH DIGNITY PROJECT” TO ZANZIBAR

One of Margaret Hirsch’s projects for the year ahead is to take the Girls With Dignity Projects to underprivileged school girls throughout South Africa.  Margaret

BWSA’s Business Woman Of The Year (Entrepreneur) took on this project when she learnt that post pubescent girls in underprivileged areas around the country (and throughout Africa) were not attending school for a week every month when they had their periods.  “These girls are missing out on three months of their education every year. I realised that it was something that had to be dealt with as a matter of urgency.” 

Sue Barnes, who developed the “Girls with dignity” pad pack has a background in clothing construction, fabrication and quality control. Commenting on how the pad and panty set evolved she explained “I spent a while coming up with different ideas before my final product evolved. It is a normal panty that has poppers on it, and the sanitary pad

clips onto the panty. This is very user friendly as the pad clips on and off easily. The panty is made of 100% cotton knit, (130 – 140g) which allows the skin to breath.  The elastic has a

standard non-woven rubber base, and wont stretch out of shape. The pad has 6 layers, the outer being the 100% cotton knit, water proofing, 3 layers of hydrophilic fabric

and then the inner is a hydrophobic fabric. It is fully washable and therefore reusable and will last as long as a pair of panties.

Margaret has a holiday home in Zanzibar, and recently spent two weeks there.  “Knowing that there are girls in a similar situation to South Africans, I took a supply of dignity packs with me to distribute.  We live next door to Matemwe village.  There are 300 residents, jobs are scarce and the women don’t have access to any form of sanitary protection – or panties. My translator – a female lawyer – said that it was impossible to go to work when she had a period. Needless to say the packs were received with superstition at first but once their use was thoroughly explained (in Swahili), they took them happily.”

HIRSCH WELCOMES NEW TENANT!

When shopping at Hirsch’s in Chatterton street, you might have noticed some changes to the building. The Hirsch family is very excited to have a new tenant in the complex, the PRO shop has moved in!   Owned by Stuart Woodroffe, The PRO shop was eager to move from it’s previous location in Victoria  Street and join Hirsch’s at their prime spot in Chatterton street, with easy access and sufficient parking.. “The synergy between the two stores is great, and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with  Hirsch’s ” said Woodroffe. “We welcome Stuart and his team to the Hirsch complex and look forward to some great ventures together” said Hirsch’s Regional Manager, Paul Brown.

In The Pic: Hirsch MD, Richard Hirsch, PRO shop Owner, Stuart Woodroffe, Hirsch PMB Manager, Phil Hodgson

HIRSCH PMB GIVES FAMILIES A LATE CHRISTMAS DINNER

During December Hirsch’s had a promotion  where customers received a turkey with the purchase of a freezer. With 5 frozen turkeys remaining, Hirsch PMB decided to donate them to a local charity , God’s Warehouse. Debbie Schroeder from the charity told Hirsch’s PRO, Victoria Laubscher that they support 19 families and she thanked Hirschs for their support  “Families are surely going to enjoy this belated Christmas Dinner.”  said Debbie.

In the Pic: Hirsch PMB manager, Phil Hodgson and God’s Warehouse director Debbie Schroeder.

MUM’S ON THE RUN – A COOK BOOK FOR BUSY WIVES AND MOTHERS

Hot on the heels of Margaret Hirsch’s popular Vegetarian Cook Book, is Luci Hirsch Jackson’s cleverly put together “Mum’s On The Run” a recipe book for busy mothers and wives. 

 Luci, the mother of    Declan (4) and Connor (3), has concentrated on meals that are quick, easy and nutritious  - highlighting  the nutritional aspects of certain key ingredients in most recipes.  Who knew, for instance that the Brinjal contains a good portion of essential B-complex vitamins?  This is mentioned in the recipe of the beautifully  illustrated Mediterranean Mezza Roll-ups.  She has also given tips and advice on microwave and combination cooking – the way to go for busy Mum’s.

The Dessert section in the book contains some of the most exciting, deliciously appetizing recipes!  The mini Pavlova meringues are a sure winner – colourfully ornamental and packed with healthy things like blueberries, strawberries and flavoured yoghurt.

While compiling this easy to follow well illustrated cook book, Luci had the help of Cheryl Aitken, a registered dietician, who gave her dietary advice on each recipe.  She also had the help of the very knowledgeable Vanessa de Beer, who runs a catering business in Portugal and who helped put together the At Home With Hirsch’s recipe book and Margaret’s Living The Vegetarian Life Cook book.

Mums-on-the-run is available from all Hirsch stores and retails at R199.99.