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Consumer services · Fashion and lifestyle retail

TFG

JSE-listed retailer built from the Foschini business founded by George Rosenthal in 1924 and diversified under Stanley Lewis.

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Entrance to a Foschini fashion store in a South African shopping centre
A current Foschini store represents the retail business founded by George Rosenthal and expanded under Stanley Lewis. Photo: Reuters · Source

TFG is the listed retail group that developed from George Rosenthal’s Foschini business. [1][5]

History

Rosenthal founded Foschini in 1924, and the first store opened in Johannesburg in 1925. [1]

Stanley Lewis acquired control in 1958 and led its expansion into a diversified retail group. [1]

Foschini Limited changed its name to TFG Limited in 2010. [3]

Ownership and management

Public shareholders held 94.5% of ordinary shares in the analysis dated 27 March 2026. [2]

Anthony Thunström was chief executive when the leadership page was accessed on 6 November 2026. [4]

Scale at March 2026

The group reported 4,914 outlets and 40 brands. [1]

Frequently asked questions

What is TFG’s listed share code?

Its ordinary share code is TFG on the JSE and A2X. [5]

Who founded the operating business?

George Ivan Rosenthal founded Foschini in 1924. [1]

Who manages TFG?

Anthony Thunström was chief executive on 6 November 2026. [4]

Key milestones

  1. George Rosenthal founded Foschini. [1]

  2. Foschini Dresses became the JSE’s first listed clothing retailer. [1]

  3. Stanley Lewis acquired a major shareholding and control. [1]

  4. Foschini Limited changed its name to TFG Limited. [3]

  5. The group reported 4,914 outlets and 40 brands. [1]

Founded / co-founded by

  • George Ivan Rosenthal — American founder of Foschini, the South African fashion retailer from which TFG developed.

Company builders

  • Stanley Lewis — Controlling investor and company builder who expanded Foschini into a diversified South African retail group.
  • Anthony Thunström — Chief executive of TFG, the listed South African fashion and lifestyle retail group.

Related articles

Related institutions

  • Foschini — South African fashion retailer founded by George Ivan Rosenthal in 1924 and now operated within TFG.

Sources

  1. The Foschini Group Limited, Integrated Annual Report 2026, 2026-07-30. Original source. Accessed 2026-11-06. ↩
  2. The Foschini Group Limited, Audited Annual Financial Statements 2026, 2026-07-30. Original source. Accessed 2026-11-06. ↩
  3. The Foschini Group Limited, Corporate history. Original source. Accessed 2026-11-06. ↩
  4. The Foschini Group Limited, Leadership. Original source. Accessed 2026-11-06. ↩
  5. The Foschini Group Limited, Company information. Original source. Accessed 2026-11-06. ↩