The Edgars branch on 89 Kerk Street, one of Ermelo’s oldest and most well-known clothing stores, has officially closed its doors—leaving many residents wondering why. The closure forms part of a larger national strategy by the store’s current owners, Retailability, who took over Edgars in 2020 after the previous parent company (Edcon) entered business rescue due to financial struggles and debt.
Since then, Retailability has been refining its store portfolio and focusing resources on its highest-performing locations, with an emphasis on fashion and beauty. As a result, some branches in smaller towns, including Ermelo, have been impacted by this strategic shift.
In 2025, the company also sold off non-core brands like Legit, Swagga, and Style, choosing to focus on a few main labels like Edgars, Kelso, and Keedo, which meant further restructuring and streamlining across the country. While the Ermelo store may be gone, Edgars continues to operate in selected cities and shopping malls nationwide.