SOUTH AFRICA – Africa’s largest retailer Shoprite Holdings, has expanded its footprints in its home-market, South Africa, launching four new stores across three provinces.

Being on an expansion spree, the retailer broke the record of opening the new stores, within a span of three days, in the last week of April 2021

The supermarket chain owner has revealed that it has entered markets that were not previously served by the group and those showing strong population growth, introducing both the Shoprite and Checkers banners.

The new outlets include: Checkers Jukskei Park in Johannesburg, Gauteng; Shoprite Rustenburg Mall in Rustenburg, North West; Checkers Rustenburg Mall in Rustenburg, North West); and Shoprite Ekhaya Mall in Secunda, Mpumalanga

“The four new stores employ almost 550 employees. With more than 140 000 employees, the Shoprite Group is South Africa’s largest private sector employer.”

Shoprite Holdings

They feature in-store fresh foods departments to include a Meat Market, Bakery, Cheese Deli, Hot & Cold Foods Deli and Fresh Fruit & Vegetables, promising a convenient shopping experience.

Customers can also save time by making use of the range of extensive services available at the Money Market counter including payment of municipal accounts, money transfers, top up of data, airtime or electricity, purchasing gift cards or savings stamps, buying tickets, and even taking out insurance.

Its noteworthy that Checkers Rustenburg Mall, is the first FreshX store to open in Rustenburg.

The new state-of-the-art store promises a convenient shopping experience, with wider aisles and shelves designed with the shopper in mind whilst the seamless floors mean trolleys make less noise when pushed through the store.

In spite of a difficult 12 months for many local businesses and with a record 7.2 million unemployed people in South Africa, the Shoprite Group has continued to open new supermarkets, ensuring job security for its employees.

“The four new stores employ almost 550 employees. With more than 140 000 employees, the Shoprite Group is South Africa’s largest private sector employer,” noted Shoprite.

Shoprite has been reviewing its long-term options across Africa, shifting focus to its home market.

The grocery retailer reported a 4.7% rise in half year group sales to R83.4 billion (US$5.57 billion) despite liquor sales taking a knock on Covid19 restrictions in its South African supermarkets and currency devaluations eroding footprint across the rest of the continent.

Its core Supermarkets Republic of South Africa (RSA) segment, making up 78.0% of Group sales and represented by 1 685 stores across its major trading banners Shoprite, Usave, Checkers, Checkers Hyper and LiquorShop increased sales by 5.6%.

Meanwhile its Non-RSA continuing operations reported constant currency sales growth of 0.9% on the back of 25.3% lower sales volumes and 9.1% internal inflation.