Industry news

A city of tents for the viewing

Tent City was started by the partners of Tentco during the first half of 2008. They felt that there was a need for consumers to see a large range of pitched tents instead of having to buy from catalogues or descriptions from retailers.

Werner Page, who runs the 1340m² facility next to the N12 highway in Jetpark in Johannesburg, says that customers driving by can clearly see their facility. They did not have to spend a lot of money advertising it.

The size of the facility, which includes a mezzanine floor, allows them the opportunity of pitching their full range of tents — from small, medium and large bow, hexibow and combination tents, through rooftop tents and gazebos to their range of large bush campers aimed at the luxury Safari Lodge Concerns as well as Tour Operators. Customers can come in to view and touch the tents and see the sizes, folded and pitched.

They realised that they can also offer customers other types of camping products and are stocking a wide range of these products from various brands. The store has developed into a destination store where people can come and browse to find the latest camping products on the market, while the rest of the family can do the same or enjoy a cup of coffee in their reception area.

This facility also acts as a showroom for retailers buying from Tentco.