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Factory Shops
Published: 31/01/2011 by Carrie Hampton
» Shopping
Cape Town factory shops are a great and cost effective alternative to mainstream shopping malls etc. If you are a bargain hunter, then Cape Town has a factory shop to suit you. Factory shops are a booming business, with manufacturers of just about everything selling direct to the public from a warehouse.
There is even a dedicated book which opens up a whole new world of bargains. 'Factory Shops in the Western Cape' by shopping guru Pam Black, was first published in 1985 and each edition to date has sold out. It features many selected factory shops in Cape Town and provides a lot of background information.
Cape Town factory shops are usually located in industrial areas and offer a very different experience from normal shopping. Don't expect fancy changing rooms (or sometimes any changing rooms) or stylish surroundings, but do expect to pay a lot less for the same quality you find in a smart retail shop anywhere in Cape Town.
Manufacturers in Cape Town don't want to compete with or alienate their retail clientele, but they do need to clear excess stock, samples, seconds and over runs. This is the main function of Cape Town's factory shops.
