Whilst the two outlets first opened doors to the public on May 19, they were officially launched last Thursday.
The new stores follow the successful launch of Cotton On in Gaborone in 2019. These brands cover categories including men’s and women’s apparel, children’s wear, footwear, stationery, giftware, homeware, sleepwear, activewear, and teen and youth fashion in addition to their philanthropic arm, the Cotton On Foundation.
Speaking at the official opening, Cotton On country manager, Natalie Wills said opening the two outlets reflects the group’s success in the local market.
“There’s nothing that excites us more than making a positive difference in people’s lives. We stand for diversity, empowering people of all backgrounds to express their individual style and make their mark on the world,” she said.
Wills continued: “We live for sweats and on-trend street styling that takes any look to the next level. We connect with customers by staying on the pulse, elevating our customers, and growing with them.”
Factorie is an on-trend, street-style fashion brand on the pulse of youth culture, while Typo is a disruptive, inclusive brand that provides creators with the tools they need to build their brands in style.
“Typo exists to make everyday life anything but ordinary so that you can build a space that is optimistic and inspired, enabling creators to make content that matters to them," Wills explained.
Calvin Ketshabetswe from the Export Department at Botswana Investment Trade Center (BITC) reiterated BITC’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business in Botswana. He said they would do what is necessary to ensure that Cotton On remains operational and sustainable in Botswana.
“We are excited to see what is happening here, what Cotton On is doing, and the opportunities it brings. We will facilitate that Cotton On remains sustainable and operational in Botswana,” he said. The Cotton On Group has grown steadily since the first store opened in Geelong, Australia, in 1991. Since then, their eight brands have grown to over 1,300 stores across 22 countries. The group is committed to meaningful change for the future generation, building sustainable futures, and supporting and protecting their people and the planet. The group has partnered with The African Women Leadership Academy (TAWLA) to empower young women and girls through networking, mentoring, and leadership skills training.
