New Mall Openings Across South Africa in 2026 Are Creating Thousands of Retail Jobs

South Africa's retail property sector is growing — and that growth is translating directly into jobs. New shopping centres are opening their doors in 2026 across multiple provinces, bringing with them thousands of vacancies in retail, food service, security, cleaning, and management. For job seekers who have been waiting for an opportunity close to home, this is the year to pay attention.

Here is a look at the most significant mall openings in 2026, the types of jobs being created, and what you need to do to get your application in early.

The biggest new mall opening of 2026 so far is the Prince Buthelezi Mall in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, near Richards Bay. The 37,000 square metre development opened at the end of April after 15 months of construction and four years of planning. Named after the late IFP leader and Zulu Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the mall was designed to serve as a major regional hub for everyday essentials, fashion, food, and leisure.

The centre houses around 90 to 100 stores, including supermarkets, fashion retailers, restaurants, speciality shops, and drive-throughs — many of which are the first of their kind in the Empangeni area. The developers also invested R90 million into upgrading surrounding infrastructure, including roads and a bridge leading to the centre.

During construction alone, more than 2,000 workers were employed on site. Now that the mall is trading, significantly more jobs are being created as retailers staff up their stores. For job seekers in the Richards Bay and Empangeni region, this is the largest single source of new employment opportunities in years. Positions ranging from shop assistants and cashiers to store managers, security officers, and cleaning staff are being filled across the retail mix.

Beyond KwaZulu-Natal, several new community shopping centres are set to open across Gauteng and Limpopo in 2026, bringing retail jobs to areas that have historically had limited access to formal employment in the sector.

In Gauteng, new community centres are under development in areas including Leratong and Rondebult, with a combined retail footprint of tens of thousands of square metres and well over a hundred stores between them. These are not luxury malls — they are practical, community-focused centres anchored by supermarkets and everyday retail, which means the jobs they create are stable, consistent, and accessible to candidates without extensive experience.

In Limpopo, a new community centre in Steelpoort is set to open in 2026, bringing 65 stores to an area with significant demand for formal retail. Positions in Limpopo's retail sector are in high demand, with companies like Clicks, Shoprite, Mr Price, and smaller independent retailers actively recruiting in the province throughout the year.

Mall and retail jobs cover a wide range of roles and skill levels. You do not need a degree to get started — many of the most in-demand positions are entry level and come with on-the-job training.

Common positions created by new mall openings include shop assistants and cashiers, store supervisors and managers, food and beverage staff, security officers, cleaning and maintenance workers, stockroom and receiving staff, and customer service representatives.

More senior roles such as store manager, regional manager, and operations coordinator are also filled as new malls come online — and experienced retail professionals in South Africa are in strong demand right now.

The companies currently hiring most actively in South Africa's retail sector include The Foschini Group, Clicks, Shoprite, Mr Price, Cotton On, Woolworths, Rage, and Lovisa — all of which tend to open new stores in newly launched malls and centres.

Requirements vary by retailer, but for most entry-level mall and retail positions you will typically need a Grade 12 or Matric certificate, a valid South African ID, the ability to work retail hours including weekends and public holidays, and a clean criminal record. Customer-facing roles require good communication skills and a willingness to engage with shoppers.

For store management and supervisory roles, previous retail experience is usually required, along with a proven track record in sales and team management.

New mall openings generate a flood of applicants — retailers often receive hundreds of CVs for a single store opening. The best way to stand out is to apply early, tailor your CV to the specific retailer you are applying to, and highlight any previous customer service or retail experience, even if it was informal or part-time.

Keep an eye on JoblySA for new retail and mall job listings as they are posted — new vacancies from newly opened and upcoming shopping centres are added daily.

Browse the latest retail and mall job opportunities across South Africa at JoblySA.co.za.