Big Daddy wants you

Local clothing retailer Big Daddy has extended an invitation to local designers and entrepreneurs to partner and join the retail supply chain.

In a public notice issued on Tuesday on its official social media page, the retail company called on Namibian industry players to apply for partnership opportunities.

“We’re on the lookout for local suppliers in adult apparel, footwear, and accessories who share our commitment to style and value for our customers.

All relevant opportunities will be considered,” the notice reads.

Some local designers yesterday welcomed the invitation, describing it as a transformative opportunity for local small businesses and a recognition of Namibian entrepreneurial capacity.

Windhoek-based fashion designer and founder of Muhau Investment CC Grace Sitali says small manufacturers have long believed that shelves would always be stocked with imported goods and that major retailers were out of their reach.

“An actual change in perspective is evident when a well-known company like Big Daddy publicly invites local business owners. It demonstrates an understanding of Namibian companies’ inventiveness, competency, and capacity to make significant contributions to the retail value chain,” Sitali told The Namibian yesterday.

She noted that entering the retail supply industry from a small business setting would certainly come with its fair share of challenges.

“Thinking differently about standardisation, deadlines, quality control, and production capacity is necessary when entering the retail supply industry.

However, I see this as a healthy and necessary challenge,” she said.
Sitali said it would be a great opportunity for local businesses to break stereotypes that locally produced goods are either too costly or of inferior quality when compared to imports.

“It would demonstrate to regular consumers that Namibian apparel can be fashionable, long-lasting, reasonably priced, and mass-produced. For regional companies like ours, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate that we are capable of producing dependable, competitive goods fit for national retail shelves,” Sitali said.
Local designer McBright Kavari echoes these sentiments, calling the move an “incredible platform” for showcasing local work in a mainstream retail environment.
However, Kavari admits that the transition from boutique fashion to retail supply will test the industry’s readiness regarding logistics and consistency.
“There will be a lot of challenges that a designer will be sitting with. Looking at the production side, imagine if you have to produce the same design of garments in different sizes, looking at the fabrics that one has to use for a specific season,” Kavari says.
He notes that designers will need to be meticulous about the quality and texture of textiles to ensure retailers are willing to stock them. Despite these hurdles, he views the pressure as a catalyst for industrial growth.
“It is definitely going to boost local designers to think big, to grow big, and also to start exploring and looking to have fabric production industrial shops where we can produce our own fabrics in the future,” he adds.
Kavari highlights that Namibia lacks a dedicated production site for local fabrics, making this opportunity a crucial step toward self-sufficiency. Beyond manufacturing, he emphasizes the potential for widespread job creation.
“It is definitely going to create more business opportunities for upcoming designers or fellow designers from the College of the Arts. It is going to create more job opportunities for the youth and also for designers to expand and own bigger workshops,” he says.
He affirms his faith in local talent to meet the retailer’s standards.
“I know Namibian designers are really creative people. It is indeed a great open call. I believe it is going to be a great honour for all the Namibian designers in the industry for their work to be sold locally at retailers,” Kavari says.
Interested candidates can forward their proposals and company portfolios to suppliers@bigdaddy.co.na

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