ZAMBIA – Zambeef, one of the largest beef producers in Zambia has added a new Heroes Macro store to its chain of stores in the capital Lusaka as it strengthens its competence in international standards in the local food retailing industry.

According to the company, the expansion was in pursuit of providing customers with quality products and services and delivers on its motto which seeks to ensure affordability and availability of quality products to customers.

Commenting on the matter, the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Michael Katambo said the investment was a great milestone in achieving industrialisation as agriculture was a vital sector in driving economic diversification and transformation.

He noted that Zambeef’s outgrower schemes and outreach programmes empowered small-scale farmers in livestock production by engaging them in its value chain.

Zambeef is not only expanding in the local market but also getting its grip on the international scene in retail, cold chain and Stockfeed.

“Zambeef is one huge value chain connecting the consumers in urban areas to the farmers in the rural areas of Zambia.

As a country and as a company we should be very proud of our achievement because Zambeef is not only feeding the nation, but we are also feeding the region; we have operations in West Africa and we are now accessing a lot of border trade from the DRC through Kasumbalesa, and to Tanzania through our new outlet in Nakonde,” said Zambeef joint chief executive officer Francis Grogan.

The new store is said to be the biggest Macro store in the Zambeef range of stores and the company sees it becoming a notable landmark as it is set right in the capital’s entrance.

The store offers a wide range of products from Zambeef’s portfolio including beef, chicken, pork, milk, eggs, dairy products, fish and flour and encompasses its in-house construction, IT and refrigeration systems.

It is uniquely designed featuring a convenient and safe environment, state-of-the-art equipment, spacious parking space, more tills and cashless payment options.

“Having an in-house team has enable Zambeef to build on the skills and expertise of the staff involved as well as the confidence to look at even bigger projects in the future as evidenced by the Heroes Macro.

We are pulling all the stops with this one and our goal is to deliver the best in value added purchasing experience for our customers,” noted Mr Grogan.

The expansion is in line with 2016 strategic focus for Zambeef to expand its retailing activities and increase foot traffic in its outlets.

Its retail presence increased to 195 outlets in 2017 from 171 in 2016 driven by the expansion of the Shoprite retail network in Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, and the expansion of its own retail network to reflect growing consumer demand, according to the company.

The Heroes Macro store is an addition to twenty-three others opened by the company.