Shaves Paint + Decor has a history in Durban spanning over a century, evolving from a small early 20th-century family shop into one of KwaZulu-Natal’s leading paint and decorating retailers.
- Early Beginnings (1910): The business was founded in 1910 by George Codner Shave, who opened a paint, wallpaper, glass, and china store at 412 West Street in central Durban, trading as G.C. Shave.
- Expansion & Manufacturing: After World War I, George’s sons, Jack and Arthur, joined the business. G.C. Shave expanded beyond importing goods to manufacturing paints, opening factories in Bellair and Jacobs. Over the subsequent decades, the third generation expanded into industrial, automotive, and decorative paint production across major South African cities.
- Corporate Era & Conglomerates (1969–1970s): In 1969, the business was sold to Protea Holdings. Shortly after, Protea merged its paint operations with Dulux in 1971 to form Prolux, temporarily placing the standalone “Shave” brand in the background.
- Rebirth as an Independent Retailer (1983): In 1983, Richard (R.A.) Shave bought back store operations to revive the independent family brand, establishing Shaves Paint + Decor. The first branch of this new era opened in Pinetown.
- Modern Growth: Under subsequent family leadership (including Nick Shave), the brand expanded its retail footprint across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng—opening branches in Umhlanga, Hillcrest, Ballito, Bluff, Springfield Park, and Amanzimtoti. Today, it operates as an independent retailer offering top brands (including Plascon and Dekade) alongside technical and decorative color services.
