About us

CloseXFriends — Home of Local Brands

CloseXFriends was born out of a bold idea and a real need: to bring local brands together on one powerful digital platform and give them the space to shine in a world dominated by international giants.

We saw the gap — talented South African creators, fashion labels, beauty startups, and accessories brands were putting in the work, building amazing products, but lacking one thing: a strong online presence. They were scattered, often invisible online, and left to fight for scraps in a digital space ruled by global e-commerce giants like SHEIN and TEMU.

We decided to change that.

CloseXFriends is more than just a marketplace — it’s a movement. We are creating a prestige online home for local brands, where each business is treated like a Close Friend. We believe that when local creatives come together, they don’t just compete — they disrupt. That’s why we’ve built a platform that empowers small businesses to look professional, connect with their audience, and grow — without compromising their authenticity.

This isn’t just business. It’s personal.

We’re here to level the playing field. To keep the money flowing within our communities, to celebrate African creativity, and to show the world that local doesn’t mean less — it means real, raw, and ready.

Welcome to CloseXFriends — where every brand matters, and every sale is a win for the culture.