Luxury: focus on South Africa

The luxury sector is expanding its target range in Africa. After quietly entering Morroco and Egypt, and then Angola and Nigeria, labels are focusing more and more on South Africa, despite the violent conflicts that regularly sweep the country.

Contrary to its neighbours, South Africa indeed already has its share of luxury offerings. Following in the footsteps of Burberry, which opened its first store in Cape Town in 2008 and in Johannesburg in 2011, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Montblanc, Giorgio Armani, Ermenegildo Zegna, Jimmy Choo, Tod’s and Gucci have all set up shop in the prestigious shopping malls of the country's big cities.

In the week of Ascension, Dolce & Gabbana opened its very first store in Africa, in Johannesburg. The 8,100 ft² store is located in the Sandton City Mall shopping centre, and more specifically in the centre's new wing, Diamond Walk, which was just inaugurated in April and which will be home to a series of major labels.

Among them, Louis Vuitton, which on 30 April opened a store in this luxury-dedicated wing. Diamond Walk is also where Prada chose to open its first, huge (8,600 ft²) store in South Africa, offering all of the Italian house's collections.

Luxury: focus on South Africa

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