The Box Shop, an innovative and distinctive lifestyle retail outlet launched in Soweto in 2016, is revolutionizing the retail market space whilst providing a unique opportunity for young entrepreneurs to co-create a prosperous future in the heart of local communities.

The Box Shop is an incubation programme to develop new suppliers by providing them with access to market. It is more than just an exciting and innovative retail space. It is a catalyst for collaboration and business growth that aspires to the vision of the birth of a vibrant and complete township economy.

This initiative was brought to life by the Citi Foundation’s global Pathways to Progress programme which helps urban youth build an entrepreneurial mindset, acquire leadership, financial and workplace skills, and begin to engage in the formal economy through a first job. Through these economic onramps, youth are actively shaping their futures toward financial success.

The Citi Foundation and TechnoServe have a long-standing partnership and the launch of the Box Shop sees the culmination of years of working together trying to promote enterprise development and alleviate some of the social issues that South Africa faces, like youth unemployment and poverty.

Since the launch in April 2016, 95 entrepreneurs have sold products through the Box Shop. Eight entrepreneurs have found new local and international distribution outlets through the programme. Some R360 000 worth of products have been funded for entrepreneurs by the Box Shop, and R2 231 000 worth of local products have been sold.

For more information, visit https://theboxshop.co.za/