The international value retailer Mr.DIY will open its first store in Mpumalanga at Highveld Mall on 19 August 2026, joining a single new KwaZulu‑Natal outlet planned a few days earlier as the company extends its footprint across South Africa.
New store forms part of wider national rollout
The company is pursuing a rapid expansion strategy that brings its products — household goods, hardware and lifestyle items — closer to communities outside its established markets. A neighbouring KwaZulu‑Natal opening at Saxony Westwood is scheduled for 14 August 2026.
Retail openings in secondary provinces are intended to introduce more shoppers to the chain’s product mix while strengthening the brand’s national presence, according to the retailer.
Local sourcing target and supplier partnerships
Alongside new outlets, the company is placing greater emphasis on buying from South African suppliers. Currently, 12% of the retailer’s South African product range is sourced locally. The company has set a target to increase that figure to 20%.
"Every new store gives more people the opportunity to experience Mr.DIY," said Lara‑lee De Jager, the retailer's imports manager.
Mr.DIY already works with 46 local suppliers across 11 departments and says it evaluates potential partners on product quality, capacity to supply at scale and experience with retail chains. The business also considers sourcing and sustainability practices and whether suppliers are committed to a long‑term commercial relationship.
What this means for local businesses and shoppers
For small and medium suppliers in Mpumalanga, the retailer’s expansion offers a potential new buyer and a route to larger retail networks. Procurement specialists within the company say they are actively seeking South African suppliers across all product categories.
Shoppers in the province will gain access to a broader selection of everyday essentials and home‑improvement items, available from a national value chain rather than only independent or local retailers.
- Opening date for Mpumalanga store: 19 August 2026.
- Planned KZN opening: 14 August 2026 (Saxony Westwood).
- Current local sourcing: 12%; target: 20%.
- Existing local supplier network: 46 suppliers across 11 departments.
Practical information for potential suppliers
The retailer says it looks for partners who can meet consistent demand and who are willing to build a durable commercial relationship. Suppliers should be able to demonstrate quality control, scalability and, where relevant, sustainable practices. Emphasis is placed on mutual growth: the company frames relationships as partnerships that strengthen both parties.
| Metric | Current | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Local sourcing (% of South African range) | 12% | 20% |
| Local suppliers | 46 suppliers across 11 departments | |
Local context and expectations
The arrival of a national discount retailer can influence shopping patterns in mall precincts, affecting footfall for neighbouring businesses and offering consumers more pricing options. For tourism and hospitality operators near regional malls, increased retail activity can lift the attractiveness of the immediate area to domestic travellers and day visitors.
Retail expansion also ties into employment prospects at store level and further upstream in supply chains. While the company has not published specific employment figures for the new Mpumalanga outlet, openings typically create in‑store jobs and require distribution and supplier support.
Procurement staff emphasise that local suppliers who meet standards for quality and supply capacity stand to benefit from access to a growing network of stores across the country.
Industry stakeholders in the province will be watching whether Mr.DIY’s stated ambition to increase local procurement materialises as measurable orders for South African manufacturers and distributors.
This report is based on the retailer’s announcement of its planned openings and procurement aims.
