Stationary and writing equipment sit display inside a CNA stationary store, operated by Edcon Holdings Ltd., in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Monday, Feb. 4, 2019. Edcon Holdings is making progress toward securing 3 billion rand ($226 million) in funding to keep the South African clothing retailer afloat, with the Public Investment Corp. part of the ongoing talks. Photographer: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg “The failure to meet the March sales targets, and the expected drop in collections of the debtor’s book, will mean that the business only has sufficient liquidity to pay salaries,” Pattison said. “Edcon is unable to honour any other accounts payable during this period.”
Ramaphosa has ordered a 21-day lockdown from Friday to curb the spread of the coronavirus as infections continue to increase. Essential services such as grocers, pharmacies, banks and gas stations will be allowed to remain open, but the bulk of Edcon’s 1,100 clothing stores will close, costing about 800 million rand in sales, Pattison said.
Edcon may need to consider a local form of bankruptcy and will hold talks with government about any possible state assistance, the CEO said.
“I am therefore unable to make you any promises other than to keep you updated of developments or plans the board approves,” Pattison said to the suppliers. “What we are experiencing at Edcon is an early indicator of the challenge that both government and many other businesses will have to face after the lockdown.”