SOUTH AFRICA – Africa’s largest retailer, Shoprite, has created over 200 jobs in its home market – South Africa with the opening of two new outlets in Eastern Cape.

The supermarket chain owner opened doors to its supermarket at the Flagstaff Square shopping centre.

In addition, it expanded the footprint of its grocery unit with the launch of Checkers Corkwood Square.

Both outlets are set to offer customers a convenient shopping experience and access to several in-store fresh food departments including a Meat Market, Hot & Cold Foods Deli, Bakery and Fresh Fruit and Vegetables and Coffee Bar. 

Customers can also save time by making use of the range of extensive value-added services available at the Money Market Counter in-store.

The South African retailer is continuing to shift focus to the home market which has proven to be profitable and review its operations in other markets.

In the full year ended July, the retailer’s core business in South Africa (RSA) contributed 79.7% to sales from continuing operations.

Naivas steps up expansion plan

Meanwhile in Kenya, Naivas Supermarkets, the country’s largest retailer has expanded the number of its stores in Nairobi, with the opening of a new outlet in the City’s Central Business District.

The new outlet covering around 20,000 square feet of trading space is located along Aga Khan Walk at the famous Uchumi House.

It will be the 6th Naivas outlet within the CBD with the other five outlets being; Ronald Ngala, Moi Avenue, Development House, Lifestyle Foodmarket and Muindi Mbingu Express.

The retail chain’s Chief Commercial Officer Willy Kimani said the expansion of its outlets is geared towards serving the growing city population.

“I reiterate that the city’s population is still underserved, given that at least 3million people work, transit through or transact business within the CBD on a daily basis.

“This of course means they need to meet their daily shopping needs which we believe the new outlet will provide another strategic location for them to do so,” said Mr. Kimani.

Currently boasting of 77 store counts, the retailer is set to take over more outlets from its struggling rivals before the end of the year as it steps up its aggressive expansion.

The first outlet will be at Greenspan Mall in Donholm Nairobi, where Tuskys Supermarket was the anchor tenant and the second will be opened at Malindi Mall, in a space previously occupied by collapsed Nakumatt Supermarket.

Meanhile, its third store will be in Embakasi at a location that the retailer is yet to disclose.

The three branches are expected to raise the retailer’s branch network to 80.

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