Policy and Planning for Changing Informal Retailing in South Africa

Abstract

Informal retailing is a major challenge to policy-makers in South Africa. The
two key methods of informal trading – street trading and home-based retailing – are impacted by changing patterns of formal retailing, especially by the trend for shopping mall development in township areas. This article provides an overview of the signifi cance of informal retailing and of its multiple challenges for South African policy-makers.

Africa Insight Vol. 37 (4) 2008 pp. 230-247