Mr Price Group: Workplace Experience Programme (WEP) 2026
The Mr Price Group Workplace Experience Programme (WEP) is a high-energy, 3-week career exposure initiative held at the Group’s Head Office in Durban. Designed specifically for final-year students, it serves as a "working interview"—top performers are often fast-tracked into the company's permanent Graduate Internship programmes the following year.
1. Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Employer | Mr Price Group (MRP, MRP Home, MRP Sport, Miladys, Sheet Street) |
| Programme Dates | 22 June 2026 – 10 July 2026 (3 Weeks) |
| Location | MRP Group Head Office, Durban (Station Ridge) |
| Status | Paid Internship (Stipend included) |
| Closing Date | Closing Soon |
Note: While the 2026 window has closed, this programme runs every year during the June/July vacation. Use this guide to prepare for the 2027 intake or check for late-opening "Planning" spots.
2. Available Programme Streams
The WEP is not a general office job; you must apply for a specific "merchant" stream that matches your studies:
A. Buying Stream – Apparel
Focuses on the "art" of retail: trend forecasting, garment construction, and sourcing.
Target Fields: Fashion Design, Clothing Management, Textile Design, Fashion Buying.
B. Buying Stream – Homeware
Focuses on product sourcing for Mr Price Home and Sheet Street.
Target Fields: Interior Design, Consumer Science (Clothing/Retail), Textile Management.
C. Planning Stream
The "science" of retail: managing multi-million rand budgets, sales forecasting, and stock allocation.
Target Fields: BCom (Accounting, Finance, Economics), Business Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Supply Chain Management.
3. Minimum Requirements
Mr Price looks for "WEPians" who fit their fast-paced, "Value-Driven" culture:
Education: Must be in your final year of undergraduate study (3rd year) or completing a Post-Graduate/Honours degree.
Academic Record: Strong consistent marks (transcripts are required).
Location: Ability to be in Durban for the full 3-week duration (Relocation/Accommodation is typically the student's responsibility).
Attributes: Trend-obsessed (for Buying) or data-obsessed (for Planning), resilient, and a team player.
4. Key Responsibilities
You will be treated as a junior member of a "Trading" team:
Trend Presentations: Researching global trends and presenting how they apply to the South African "Value" customer.
Data Analytics: Using Excel to analyze which items are selling best and suggesting markdowns or re-orders.
Supplier Meetings: Sitting in on sessions where buyers negotiate prices and quality with clothing manufacturers.
Store Visits: Going into the field to see how "Head Office" decisions look on the shop floor.
5. How to Apply (For Future Cycles)
Mr Price Group does not accept emailed CVs or applications via social media.
Official Portal: Register a profile on
MRP Careers .Search "WEP": Look specifically for the "Workplace Experience Programme" vacancies.
Required Documents: * Updated CV.
Certified copy of your ID.
Full Academic Record (First year to current).
Portfolio (Mandatory for Fashion/Interior Design students).
6. Important Advice for Applicants
The "Working Interview": Treat every day of the 3 weeks as an interview. The managers are looking for who they want to hire for the Professional Retail Programme (PRP) next year.
Culture Fit: Mr Price is informal but high-performance. They value "Passion, Value, and Partnership."
Excel is Non-Negotiable: If you apply for Planning, ensure your Excel skills are sharp. You will likely be tested on basic data manipulation.
Research the Brand: Know the difference between Mr Price and its competitors (like Jet or Cotton On). Understand who their target customer is.
7. Why Join Mr Price?
Market Leader: You learn from the best in the "Value Retail" space in Africa.
Networking: You build relationships with high-level Buyers and Planners who can mentor your career.
Vibe: The Durban HQ (Station Ridge) is famous for its creative, energetic, and young work environment.
Tip: If you missed the WEP deadline, look for the Mr Price Foundation "JumpStart" programmes, which offer shorter, frontline retail experience year-round!
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