SOUTH AFRICA – Pick n Pay, South Africa’s leading retailer, has announced a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at rejuvenating growth, accompanied by significant changes in its leadership structure.
Group CEO Sean Summers outlined the key initiatives in a bid to focus on customers, buying, store execution, and overall store estate management.
The immediate structural adjustment involved the creation of a new retail division, Pick n Pay Retail, designed to address the specific needs of the retail segment, with a renewed emphasis on customer experience.
This division will now encompass the Franchise category, streamlining the reporting lines to ensure effective leadership and decision-making.
Sean also highlighted that Pick n Pay is committed to sustaining the momentum of its growth drivers, including Online, Boxer, and Clothing.
Additionally, the retailer has appointed a diverse Group Executive team, consisting of six members, three of whom are women.
The team includes Group Chief Financial Officer Lerena Olivier, Chief People Officer Thembi Mbengashe, and Managing Executive for Clothing Hazel Pillay.
The appointment of Hazel Pillay to the Group Executive is praised for her outstanding results in the Clothing division. Pick n Pay acknowledged her contribution to the success of the segment.
Dallas Langman, with 34 years of experience within the group, has been appointed as the Managing Executive of the newly formed Pick n Pay Retail division.
His extensive background, including roles in various divisions such as Rest of Africa, Supermarkets, Hypermarkets, and Franchise, positions him well to lead the transformation of the core Pick n Pay retail business.
Johan Grobler will take over the leadership of Rest of Africa, assuming additional responsibilities for Value Added Services and Tomis, a recently acquired meat-producing and processing facility.
Marek Masojada will continue to lead Boxer as the Managing Executive.
The retailer’s focus on seamless customer experience is emphasized, with the consolidation of Franchise trading under Retail.
The move aims to provide customers with a consistent shopping experience across all Pick n Pay stores.
Pick n Pay reported a significant trading profit loss of 97.5% for the 26-week period, citing challenges such as elevated load-shedding costs and increased competitive intensity.
CEO Sean Summers labeled the results as “disappointing” at the time. The strategic plan and leadership changes are positioned to address these challenges and pave the way for future growth.
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