South Africa news

South Africa-based, Walmart owned Massmart has appointed a new chief executive less than a month after it announced its existing chief executive, Guy Hayward, would step down by the end of 2019. Simultaneously, the retailer has said that it is expecting its operating profit to be flat. Ex Walmart Japan to become new CEO… Massmart has appointed Mitchell Slape as its new chief executive. Slap...

Netherlands-based SPAR International reported sales rose 5.4% globally to €35.8bn. The organisation said entry into four new markets, the addition of 335 new stores and the continued focus on its ‘Better Together’ strategy had underpinned the pace of its growth. 2018 ‘an exceptionally strong year for SPAR’ Discussing the results, SPAR International’s managing director, Tobias Wasmuht, descr...

South Africa-based, Walmart-owned Massmart has announced its chief executive, Guy Hayward, will step down by the end of 2019. Simultaneously, the retailer has set out its expansion plans to 2021 as it looks to grow outside its home market. Chief executive to leave by the end of 2019 Massmart said Guy Hayward will leave by the end of 2019, after a period of five years as the company’s chief ...

South Africa-based Pick n Pay has released audited results for its 2019 financial year, which ended on 24 February 2019. The retailer said the results shows it had enjoyed ‘ market-leading turnover growth of 7.1% with market share gains throughout the year ’. The numbers… Pick n Pay said its turnover rose 7.1% over the 52-week period, to ZAR86.3bn (US$6.0bn), while over the 53-week period i...

South Africa-based Pick n Pay has published a full year trading statement saying the Group enjoyed turnover growth of 9.6% in the 53-week period ending 3 March 2019. On a 52-week basis the retailer said turnover rose 7.1% Sustained strategy pays off for Pick n Pay Pick n Pay said the performance was driven by like-for-like growth of 4.8% in value terms, with like-for-like volume sales risin...

As UAE-based LuLu and Majid Al Futtaim and Qatar-based Al Meera discuss their expansion plans for 2019 and into the short term, we round up news from the region. LuLu sets out expansion plans… UAE-based LuLu is aiming to open 32 hypermarkets in 2019. The retailer has said it is looking to expand in GCC countries, where it aims to add 29, including 12 in the UAE, in addition to the 87 it cur...

As South Africa-based Pick n Pay launches a new campaign, its operations in Namibia add an ecommerce solution and companies in Kenya and Nigeria add new digital capabilities, we round up news from the region. Pick n Pay spotlights small suppliers in South Africa Pick n Pay has launched an initiative to put the spotlight on small suppliers in its home market. The campaign, called ‘Meet the M...

South Africa-based Woolworths has reported a slower growth in sales for the 26 weeks ending 23 December 2018. Sales increased by 1.9% compared with a 2.5% increase in the same period in 2017. Food sales increased by 6.3%... The company said its growth was impacted by the absence of a pre-Christmas trading day, which helped sales in 2017. However, Woolworths Food sales increased by 6.3%, wit...

Pick n Pay has worked with three Gauteng-based entrepreneurs to open spaza stores through its modernisation programme. The programme allows entrepreneurs to remain independent, while helping them incorporate new systems and upskill them regarding their retailing expertise. The spaza modernisation programme Since its launch in Gauteng in 2016 , Pick n Pay’s programme has helped open 20 ...

South Africa-based Woolworths and OK Zimbabwe have released their latest financial statements. Meanwhile, wholesaler and retailer Sefalana has successfully trialled 10 Botswana Post kiosks in stores in its home market. Woolworths sales increase 2.7% Woolworths reported an increase in overall sales of 2.7% and by 3.6% in constant currency terms for the first 20 weeks of its 2019 financial ye...