According to Lightstone, the Western Cape has seen extraordinary population growth – 24% since 2021 – mostly due to the migration of businesses and families from other provinces in search of improved standard of living and better service delivery, and the Winelands region, with its rich culture and breathtaking scenery, is no exception.
This semigration trend has also caused an increase in demand for student accommodation, and the region is recognised for developing entrepreneurs backed by capital, so we have seen many fintech companies, in particular, born in the Stellenbosch area. This trend is important for South Africa to be sustainable, future fit and remain relevant on a global level and has put the area on the map as a leading tech incubator, further increasing its popularity. This combination of factors has resulted in a substantial increase in consumer demand, which bodes well for the strong presence of franchised enterprises in the region.
High inflation, increases in interest rates, and food and fuel price hikes, however, have resulted in consumers becoming cash-strapped, and manoeuvring a business through these circumstances can be very challenging. With Nedbank, clients get a partner that is strategically aligned to their growth narrative – one that understands that business owners need more than just innovative, competitively priced products – and can help steer them through tough times. Through our bigger-thinking approach, the members of our highly experienced, specialised franchise teams immerse themselves in each client’s franchise and sector so they can become an extension of their team, with a full understanding of their financial needs and business aspirations.
We leverage our own extensive business experience to offer expert guidance, financial and business inputs, as well as innovative payment and e-commerce solutions to help franchise businesses reposition themselves for a digitally enabled operating model in future. For example, Nedbank’s super app, Avo, enables business owners to connect and easily communicate with new customers, send quotations and receive secure payments, all with zero sign-up fees. Avo gives business owners across all sectors access to thousands of new customers looking for verified service providers to deliver quality goods and services to their homes and businesses.
Ultimately, our ability to see and respond to the bigger picture and unlock growth opportunities through conventional and unconventional financing approaches, combined with our advanced digital capabilities, makes us a trusted, valuable partner to any franchise business that is serious about repositioning itself to survive and thrive – whatever the future brings.
Let’s work together to boost your business and the Cape Winelands economy. Talk to one of our franchising specialists to find out more about how we can help you grow your franchise business by sending an email me at herberth@nedbank.co.za; our area client manager for the Winelands, Minette Bylsma at minetteby@nedbank.zo.za; our business manager for Stellenbosch, Ricardo Herandien at ricardoh@nedbank.co.za; , Hermann Theron at hermant@nedbank.co.za; our business manager for Stellenbosch our Ramona Presence, at ramonapr@Nedbank.co.za; or our national franchise manager, Karen Keylock at karenke@nedbank.co.za; or simply visit nedbank.co.za.
This post and content is sponsored, written and produced by Nedbank.