Markets/South Africa/News

South Africa news

25 October 2017
Pick n Pay is continuing to find new ways to engage its shoppers and differentiate itself from competitors. We round up the latest updates from the retailer. Cutting prices Pick n Pay announced in its interim results that it had invested ZAR500m (US$37.3m) to lower prices across 1,300 items. This has mainly been on everyday groceries and fresh. The retailer has built on these price cuts ...
20 October 2017
South Africa-based retailer Food Lovers Market is UberEATS first partnership with a supermarket chain in the country. We look at how the service works and what this means for the future. How it works Shoppers download the UberEATS app and select a meal kit they wish to cook. At launch, there are seven meals available for shoppers to choose from. The list includes a vegan option, mid-week me...
19 October 2017
South African based Pick n Pay has announced its results for the first half of 2017. Overall its turnover growth has been +5.1% to ZAR39.3 bn (US$2.9 bn). We look at South Africa’s results in more detail and what the retailer’s future strategies are. Results showing signs of promise in South Africa • +1.8% like for like sales • 63 new store openings • 34 refurbished stores to ‘Next...
11 October 2017
Morocco is a country on the brink of modernisation. Despite the environment presenting businesses with challenges, the overall outlook for the country remains positive. We look at the market in more detail, considering what retailers need to know. Challenges remain There has recently been high inflation on basic products, made worse by severe dry weather increasing costs. Rising mortgage ra...
09 October 2017
Pick n Pay in South Africa has launched a new website and app that are designed to be better integrated. We look at their new features and how we expect this area to develop in the future. Integrated website and app The aim for Pick n Pay was to create a platform that shoppers could use across all devices with the same features, to give a consistent experience. The app provides shoppers wit...
04 October 2017
After announcements made in early 2017 that it would be looking to expand outside Africa into Eastern Europe, Shoprite has announced expansion plans for its home market of South Africa. Greater expansion in 2018 than 2017 14 new supermarkets across different provinces in South Africa are set to open this week. In its 2018 financial year the plan is to open a further 82 stores. This is an in...
04 October 2017
Kenya-based Choppies has announced its expansion aims for its 2018 financial year, with new stores planned in multiple countries. It has targeted investing BWP450m (US$43m) to expand its footprint across Africa with 40 new stores. Investing in Kenya for the future The retailer plans to open 22 stores, building on its existing nine stores in Kenya. They will be spread across all major towns ...
28 September 2017
Pick n Pay has shown it is continuing to drive change in store through offering shoppers different ways to pay for their goods. Through its trial of bitcoin, and allowing food to be paid for on credit, it is adapting to a wide range of shoppers’ needs. Trialling new technology with bitcoin In its plan for 2018 Pick n Pay committed to modernising stores through technology. It has begun this ...
31 August 2017
We give a roundup of the major South African retailer’s half year performance. With the country falling into recession, most businesses have suffered. Massmart, Woolworths and Pick n Pay have all reported difficulties. Shoprite however goes against this trend, reporting positive results. Challenging macroeconomic environment Business and shopper confidence is low due to political uncertaint...
24 August 2017
We report on Shoprite’s annual results. Sales grew by 8.4% to ZAR 101,734 bn (US$7,734 bn). Like for like sales also increased by 5.8%. We consider the drivers of success, despite a challenging environment. South Africa and LiquorShop drive strong performance • In South Africa, supermarket turnover grew by 8%, with like for like growth of 6.9%. • Checkers had sales growth of 8.5% to ZAR3...