Hirsch's Homestores Specials: A Durban Family Business, About 19 Stores and How to Buy Appliances Well

Quick answer: Hirsch's was founded in 1979 by Allan and Margaret Hirsch in Durban, starting with a tiny showroom on Umhlanga Rocks Drive set up with R900 in savings, and by the end of 2012 it had passed R1 billion in turnover. Sources give 18 Hirsch stores plus four Samsung concept stores in older material and 19 branches and concept stores across KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Western Cape in more recent company-linked material. Their son Richard took over as chief executive in 2020. We found no verified current specials or prices, so check Hirsch's catalogue and your branch.

Last updated: October 2026. Facts come from Lionesses of Africa's profile of Margaret Hirsch, MyBroadband's profile of the family business, LinkedIn and CM.com customer story pages. We found no link between Hirsch's and Pepkor or Cellucity, and we do not claim one. Store counts are older or company-linked, so confirm the current list. We do not quote prices.

Key facts

Question	Answer	Caution
Founded	1979 by Allan and Margaret Hirsch, Durban	Consistent across sources
Start	A showroom "no larger than a bathroom" on Umhlanga Rocks Drive, with R900 in savings	Founder anecdote
Milestone	Turnover passed R1 billion by the end of 2012	2012 figure
Stores	18 Hirsch stores and four Samsung concept stores (older); 19 branches and concept stores in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Western Cape (recent)	Counts differ by date
Leadership	Richard Hirsch became CEO in 2020; Luci Hirsch is brand manager	Family business
Ownership links	Described as family-run; no Pepkor or Cellucity link found	Do not assume one

What Hirsch's sells

Hirsch's is known for home appliances and electronics, including fridges, stoves, washing machines, televisions and kitchen appliances, and it operates Samsung concept stores in some branches. Because it is a specialist, it often competes on range and service rather than the lowest price, so compare with Makro, Game, Takealot and brand stores before you buy. If the Hirsch's offers are not quite what you need, it is worth comparing them with the latest Cell C catalogue before you decide.

How to buy appliances well

1. Measure first. Check the space and the doorway width for fridges and washing machines.
2. Check energy use. In a country with load shedding, a more efficient appliance saves on electricity and may work better with backup power.
3. Check the warranty and where repairs are done.
4. Compare model numbers across retailers.
5. Ask about delivery and installation and whether the old appliance is removed.
6. Ask for the total cost of any credit.

Worked example: running cost of a fridge (invented numbers)

Fridge (invented)	Price	Annual electricity at an assumed R3 per kWh	Five-year cost
Efficient model, 250 kWh a year	R9,999	R750	R13,749
Cheaper model, 450 kWh a year	R7,999	R1,350	R14,749

On these invented figures the efficient fridge is R1,000 cheaper over five years even though it costs R2,000 more upfront. Check the real energy label and your municipal tariff before you decide.

Your rights

The Consumer Protection Act gives you the right to goods of good quality and generally six months to return defective goods. Keep your invoice, warranty card and serial number, and inspect the appliance on delivery.

Appliances and load shedding: practical advice

Many South African households plan appliance purchases around power cuts. A fridge or freezer keeps food cold for several hours if the door stays shut, and a chest freezer keeps cold longer than an upright. Before you buy, ask for the starting current of the appliance if you run backup power from an inverter or generator, because motors in fridges and washing machines draw more power for a moment when they start. Surge protection protects your appliances from voltage spikes when power returns. If you rely on solar, check the appliance's daily consumption in kilowatt-hours and add it to your system budget.

Think about service as well as price. A specialist retailer with a long history is useful if you need advice about installation, warranty claims or repairs. Ask who handles repairs, how long they take and whether loan appliances are provided. For large items, check that the delivery team will install the appliance and take away the old one, and confirm any extra charges in writing before delivery.

Question to ask	Why it matters
What is the energy consumption per year?	Lower consumption cuts electricity and backup costs
What is the starting current?	Matters for inverter sizing
Who repairs it under warranty?	Avoids delays and disputes
Is installation and removal included?	Avoids surprise fees

Pros and cons

Pros

• Specialist appliance retailer with a long family history.
• Samsung concept stores in some branches.

Cons

• Few stores, concentrated in three provinces.
• No published specials or prices in the sources we saw.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Hirsch's?

Allan and Margaret Hirsch, in 1979 in Durban.

How many Hirsch's stores are there?

About 19 branches and concept stores in recent company-linked material.

Is Hirsch's owned by Pepkor?

We found no such link. It is described as family-run.

Where are the stores?

KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Western Cape.

Sources

• Lionesses of Africa: Margaret Hirsch, co-founder of Hirsch's Homestores
• MyBroadband: the South African who built an electronics retail giant that became a family legacy
• LinkedIn and CM.com: Hirsch's company and customer story pages