The business weathered the pre 2008 economic storm and has been growing from strength to strength since the advent of currency reforms in February 2009.  Nelgrove is a stable business that has been operating consistently since 2002, run by a hardworking couple. Marondera is located about 70km from Harare, increasingly serving as a dormitory town to the capital. Many people are increasingly choosing to stay in the town as a result of cheap accommodation, commuting daily to Harare for work.

Why invest:

• Stable SME business operating since 2002 with predictable income
• Shop is understocked with excess verified demand
• Loyal quality conscious customer base

Apart from the growing urban population Marondera is the provincial capital of Mashonaland East and its catchment area includes Wedza, Murewa, and Goromonzi. According to municipal figures the town serves a population of more than 200 000 people. A lot of business comes from the surrounding farms, and sales volumes are influenced by farming seasons, particularly the tobacco selling season March to October each year.
Marondera is also notorious for its cold weather conditions. Demand for winter clothing rises dramatically with the onset of the cold season May to August each year.

Nelgrove uniquely targets the high end of the market in the clothing business. The shop sells mostly imported baby wear and baby items such as carry cots and prams, a niche which has been neglected in the town. In fact the shop has the reputation of being the leading outlet of quality baby wear and baby items in town. The shop also stocks exclusive ladies wear, setting it apart from the cheap Chinese products which have bombarded Marondera and elsewhere.