Lisa Gardshol builds thriving UK South African food business against odds

London — 1 May 2025

Lisa Gardshol transformed her passion for South African flavours into a 15-store UK retail success, navigating economic crises without investors or debt since founding The Savanna in 2005.

The South African entrepreneur moved to the UK after studying in Aberdeen and gaining retail expertise at Marks and Spencer. She founded The Savanna in London’s Raynes Park to serve local communities and South African expats. “We were pricing stock as they came in,” she recalled of their chaotic opening day with queues round the corner.

Gardshol credits her resilience to early lessons in supply chain control. “We built The Savanna without relying on outside investors or debt, and through two major recessions. Our people and resilience are our greatest assets,” she said. This led to establishing their own butchery after stock shortages during peak braai seasons.

The business survived the pandemic by swiftly shifting online. “At the end of the day, people have to eat. We just had to make sure our offering was appetising enough to keep us moving through the crisis,” Gardshol explained. They retained 90% of online customers post-lockdown.

With 150,000 customers and seventy staff, the company employs teams in both South Africa and the UK. Over ten skilled workers have relocated from South Africa, with some holding shares. Recently opened Waterloo and Guildford stores offer location-specific selections, from family groceries to commuter snacks.

Data drives their expansion strategy. “If retailers do not embrace AI and analyse their data, they will be in trouble. It is the only way forward,” Gardshol emphasized. Heat maps and staff scheduling align with customer patterns from 20 years of sales records.

Future plans include launching a shopping app and expanding their Wimbledon butchery’s capacity by 40%. The brand aims to popularize South African cuisine among British consumers while maintaining sustainable growth. Southern African customers currently represent about 70% of their clientele.