The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) calls upon Foschini Group (TFG) to earnestly consider the impact of store closures on its staff following the announcement to cease operations of 280 African outlets over ‌the next three financial years. The fashion retailer has already commenced the process with closures finalised this year. The group has cited a list of reasons behind the move, including the surge in the online market surpassing the performance of its physical stores.

The country is confronted by stagnant economic growth, growing at a mere 0.5% quarter-on-quarter in the first quarter of 2026. This has undermined efforts to generate jobs and tackle our stubbornly high unemployment rate of 43.8%.

These planned closures come at a time when Artificial intelligence and automation are contributing to the drivers of retrenchments—particularly in banking, logistics, mining, and manufacturing sectors. Often workers are left without adequate compensation or measures to accommodate them.

Behind Foschini Group’s popular clothing brands Foschini, Sportscene and ​Markham, are hard-working individuals. The business is where it is today largely due to the blood and sweat of its staff. The billions it accumulates in sales are due to the toil of workers from operating sewing machines to the sales consultants at stores.

COSATU will support the efforts of its affiliates, the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers’ Union (SACCAWU) and the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (SACTWU) to stop this devastating blow to workers across the African continent and to find progressive alternatives.

It is vital that Foschini Group demonstrates solidarity towards its workforce, engage in good faith and find alternatives to store closures. Jumping to hasty decisions is not an option when people’s livelihoods are at stake. Throwing workers in the devastating unemployment den should not be the pinnacle of decision making and solution finding processes.

Prioritising sales at the expense of workers is out of the question.

Issued by COSATU

Nonzuzo Dlamini (Communication Officer)

Mobile: 066 194 3619

Email: nonzuzo@cosatu.org.za