We are one! 

A Year in Review with The Local Edit

For most entrepreneurs, celebrating the 1st birthday of an idea that became a business is a proud and exhilarating moment. For The Local Edit, it is also a moment of deep gratitude as the team reflects on the people who made it happen, the brands that joined the journey, and the conscious community of shoppers that chose to buy local first. 

It all started with The Pretty Blog, which entrepreneur Christine Meintjes launched in 2010 as a platform for sharing inspiring lifestyle content. As it evolved, the Blog naturally started showcasing incredible local goods, and followers began to enquire where they could find these or similar products.

The idea to create a low-impact, convenient offering that would allow people to discover and shop from a variety of local designers was born, and The Local Edit emerged in September 2021 as a first-of-its-kind e-commerce solution.

From the onset, co-founders Christine Meintjes and Berdine Swart were committed to building a platform that served a conscious community led by care, consideration, and creativity. 

Now, a year in, The Local Edit remains true to its’ promise as it continues to educate consumers about local talent, showcasing the best South African designer brands for purchase via App or their online store - in one place and at the same price as the designers’ independent stores. 

The team wanted to mirror a store-like experience with a wide range of products. And with shopper reviews rating the app high on convenience and variety, it seems they got it right;

Shopper Jude’s review stated that this beautifully designed app gives her a great browsing experience.” I don’t feel like I’m just flipping through a catalogue, but it feels like I get to browse through a real shop.” 

Rushda Isaacs confessed; “It’s my latest addiction. Can’t help browsing it daily. Well done on a fabulous app. A very modern, classy, and refreshing approach!”

The more than 170 brands that showcase their goods on The Local Edit ooze aesthetics, quality, and authenticity, while its local-first mindset continues to attract shoppers to the app and online store, daily. 

Gussi van der Merwe, an ex-pat, uses The Local Edit to support South African businesses. Purchasing online and having gifts delivered to loved ones in South Africa, gives her the opportunity to continue investing in the local economy, supporting small businesses, even though she lives abroad.

Terri Brown says, "I love supporting small local makers that put their heart into what they do. And why not own something unique and considered rather than fast fashion?” 

"The Local Edit is my go-to shopping app because the items are unique and high-quality, and I love supporting local brands." adds Duwa Mutharika.

The seamless tech integration with The Local Edit's platform makes it possible for brands to connect to the system and sell directly to shoppers, without having to set up any additional administrative systems to the small business process. 

Add to that the touching stories behind each brand and The Local Edit's ability to highlight them all in one place, and you’ve successfully created a unique shop destination with a community that intentionally contributes to developing thriving local economies that produce and consume with care.  

To gauge the impact of the partnerships they have formed over the past year, The Local Edit reached out to the brands they showcase and the survey results revealed that their efforts did not go unnoticed. 

“Working alongside The Local Edit has been a beautiful journey. As a small and new business, we also have teething problems and things we're still not great at.” says Jana Leonard from Baskiti. “Having them hold our hands and openly answering questions has been a breath of fresh air. We are proud to be on The Local Edit, especially alongside the most amazing fellow local brands we aspire to grow into one day!” 

Carla Sissing from Carlita Hearts loves that The Local Edit champions local brands and small businesses. ”The onboarding process was very user-friendly, and dealing with the team has been a delight. Looking forward to next year and beyond for The Local Edit.” 

Kind Skincare noted how The Local Edit truly believes in every brand they feature, and Calico Ceramics concluded by saying, “I love your brand, the ethos, and everything you do!” 

Lindie Bruwer thanked The Local Edit “for giving small start-ups, like Knuffeltyd, the space to be seen!” 

With more high praise from Vincent Urbain and Jessika Balzer at Project Dyad who appreciates the teams’ excellent communication and the fact that everything works so smoothly. “Love that it takes no effort from my side because it’s so perfectly integrated. It makes it so much easier than a lot of other online stores. And, of course, love the selection and effort behind it to put local creativity and quality at the forefront! Keep going!”

During the past year, The Local Edit has achieved many notable milestones, including;

• 23 000 total App Downloads
• 752 total carts sold
• 11 000 total users joined 
• 4 000 wish lists created
• 1366 number of products sold 
• launched on Apple, Android, and App Gallery
• expanded and established an online store
• from 5000 products at inception, we now stock over 12 000 local products across more than 178 brands
• secured seamless distribution with designers dispatching orders independently & directly, meaning – the best for the planet and the quickest delivery to your door 
• received Proudly South African Accreditation
• offering multiple secure online payment options, including a show now, pay later interest-free partner. 
• launched Local Edit gift vouchers, which are currently the top-selling product.

“They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I believe the same applies to building a business,” said Christine Meintjes, The Local Edit Co-Founder and CEO. “As an entrepreneur and now also a mom of two, I know this statement to be nothing but the truth! It’s purely impossible to do it alone.”

Christine understands the importance of building a tribe, a community, and a support network that shares the vision and who truly buys into the dream and purpose of the brand. 

“I’m thankful for every person who contributed to this project, for every hour spent thinking about how we can improve. Whether you were part of the initial concept, wrote code, contributed to the project (in any way!), signed up as a brand, encouraged us with kind words, told a friend, sent us critical feedback, or supported us by buying something from the platform. I thank you! You’re part of our village, and without you, The Local Edit couldn’t exist.” Christine says.

Co-founder, Berdine Swart echoes by wishing a “Happy 1st Birthday everyone! May this mark the beginning of one incredible Heritage story. Here’s to celebrating South Africa and all its incredible talent!” 

The Local Edit is available for download from Apple, Google, and App Gallery or  shop.thelocaledit.com online. Stay in the loop at www.thelocaledit.com and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see what’s new.

Discover the best South African brands, all in one place.

www.thelocaledit.com

About
The Local Edit allows shoppers to discover some of the best South African designer brands, all in one place. Launched in September 2021 by Christine Meintjes and Berdine Swart, The Local Edit aims to educate consumers about local talent, showcasing their designer goods for purchase via App or their online store. The Local Edit is a sister company to The Pretty Blog. It serves a conscious community, led by care, consideration, and creativity.

Download The Local Edit App from Apple App, Google Play Store, and App Gallery or shop.thelocaledit.com online.

Media Contact: Sanine Baird | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 083 274 4959