Since the beginning of May this year, a subtle yet significant change has taken place at McCoy’s Outfitters in Louis Trichardt. The familiar face of Iqbal Ahmed Adam is no longer there.
As a member of the AV Mahomed family, Iqbal needs little introduction. He is a descendant of one of the pioneering Indian families that played an important role in establishing and developing the region’s economy. In 1902, his grandfather, Adam Vally Mohamed, founded AV Mohamed & Sons General Dealer, which grew into one of the best-known stores in the northern part of the country.
Iqbal was also a founding member of Playboy Sports, a business that continues to be run by members of the AV Mahomed family today.
After 64 years in the retail industry, Iqbal, now 80, has decided to embrace retirement in light of his current health. His passion for clothing and fashion trends was evident throughout his business career and played a major role in shaping McCoy’s Outfitters into the store it became. He has now sold the business to the Ravat family from Polokwane.
The Ravat family has been trading successfully in Polokwane for many years and is now expanding its footprint. They intend to continue operating under the McCoy’s Outfitters name. “Loyal customers, friends, and family can rest assured that it will be business as usual, with the Ravat family committed to taking the business to even greater heights,” said Iqbal in an interview last week. Customers can also expect the current brands stocked at McCoy’s Outfitters to remain available.
Iqbal now plans to spend quality time with his wife, Rabia, as well as his children and grandchildren. He especially misses regular contact with his six grandchildren and looks forward to creating lasting memories with his family in the years ahead.
Reflecting on the early days of trading, Iqbal fondly recalls a time when customer service meant everything. “In those days, you could sell anything and everything,” he said. Businesses depended on maintaining strong relationships with customers, where the judgement and trustworthiness of the store owner played a key role.
“Today, customers are far more brand-conscious,” Iqbal explained. Rather than shopping at a specific store, they often search for particular brands.
According to Iqbal, quality mattered 60 years ago, and it still matters today. “That philosophy is why McCoy’s Outfitters always focused on stocking leading brands,” he said. During Iqbal’s time at McCoy’s Outfitters, brands such as Grasshoppers, Crockett & Jones, Florsheim, Barker, Watson Brentwood, Cutrite, Navada, and Pringle, among many others, became synonymous with the store.
His retirement marks the end of an era, but his legacy in business and the community will undoubtedly continue for generations to come.