Paint Club’s Palette of Possibilities Conference 2025: Exploring new horizons

Paint Club’s 2025 Conference, hosted at the stately Kievits Kroon Wine Estate in Pretoria, was a gathering of members and friends, as well as a clear marker of momentum. Held under the theme ‘Palette of Possibilities’, the event brought together member stores, suppliers, and partners for three days of practical insight, strategic vision, and solid relationship-building.

A FIRST FOR THE FORMAT: THE SUPPLIER TRADE SHOW

This year introduced a new addition to the conference: a dedicated Trade Show, giving Paint Expert suppliers a live platform to display their latest products and innovations. Members welcomed the hands-on experience — touching, testing, and talking through products in real time. The supplier stands remained open throughout tea and lunch breaks, allowing for ongoing engagement in a relaxed setting.

DAY ONE:

STRATEGY, INNOVATION AND COLOUR

The first day belonged to the Paint Club head office team, who unpacked 2024 results, reviewed the first half of 2025, and laid out the 2026 roadmap. Key topics included national sales and marketing efforts, the group’s evolving training programme, and upcoming product innovations and launches. One of the most anticipated announcements was the reveal of Paint Club’s first Bespoke Colour Collection, created exclusively for member stores, marking a bold new direction in colour authority. Later in the day, two standout store owners. Paint Centre Illovo and Paint Palette Rustenburg shared firsthand insights on launching new stores under the Paint Expert banner. Their real-world feedback set a practical, motivational tone for the days ahead.

DAY TWO:

LEADERSHIP, PARTNERSHIPS AND PRACTICAL TOOLS

CEO Gary van der Merwe kicked off the second day with a sharp recap and outlook. Leadership specialist Erica Anderson then led a no-nonsense session titled ‘Real Skills for Real Change’, equipping members with grounded tools to lead with impact and intention.

Plascon’s mid-morning session followed, with Andries Pretorius outlining strategic focus areas, Gerrie Stemmet speaking to growth opportunities, and Les Frank highlighting upcoming marketing initiatives.

Their message was consistent: Plascon remains invested in helping Paint Expert stores grow from the inside out.

THE AFTERNOON SHIFTED INTO DEEPER DIVES WITH SUPPLIER PARTNERS:

• Hamilton’s Brushware’s Mandy Muller outlined new innovations tailored to category management

• Delaney Impey from Flash Harry walked members through what’s next for the brand’s waterproofing and repair ranges.

Celebrating Success At The Gala Dinner

Paint Club’s annual Gala Dinner & Awards, held at the Lord Charles Restaurant, capped off day two in style. Recognition was given to stores and groups that had delivered exceptional performance, growth, and innovation over the past five years and beyond.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED:

• BEST PERFORMING STORE (MEDIUM): De Villiers Hardware (not in attendance)
• BEST PERFORMING STORE (LARGE): Paint Hyper Polokwane
• BEST PERFORMING GROUP: Paint & Beyond Group
• HIGHEST VALUE GROWTH: City Paint & Tool Group
• BEST NEW MEMBER (PERFORMANCE –2024): Paint Centre Illovo
• BEST NEW MEMBER (STORE DESIGN & INNOVATION): Paint & Co Klerksdorp (not in attendance)
• MOST IMPROVED MEMBER (UPGRADE –2024): Jack Hammer’s Hardware Hout Bay (not in attendance) loyalty mechanics, while Colin Fleming from ND-Tec showcased a new Paint Sales Guide System designed to support in-store conversion and staff confidence.
• FASTEST GROWING NEWCOMER (FIRST HALF 2025): Paint Palette Rustenburg.

Stores that had been with the group for 10 years or longer were also recognised. The awards were a showcase of individual achievement, as well as a shared commitment to excellence.

DAY THREE: FUTURE-PROOFING AND RETAIL INTELLIGENCE

The final day focused on forward-thinking strategies, with Rob Suttle from EST delivering a compelling session on business resilience and smart tech integration. Cornel de Beer of TopShopper followed with sharp insights into the customer.

Wrapping up the day, Roger Carbonell from Aquidneck shared statistics on paint retail performance, providing a broader market lens before Gary van der Merwe offered closing remarks.

Looking Ahead

The ‘Palette of Possibilities’ theme proved to be a fitting reflection of the opportunities that lie ahead for Paint Club members. With fresh tools, stronger supplier ties, and a sharper understanding of where the market is heading, the 2025 conference made it clear: this is a group that knows how to adapt, evolve, and grow with purpose.