Plans have been concluded by Africa’s largest retailer Shoprite to open more outlets across Africa. The company is opening a new store in the Town of Tete, Mozambique later this year and Property development company, Terrace Africa confirmed Shoprite as their anchor tenant and indicated that the new shopping centre will also feature many other well-known retailers.
Innovation Village also gathered that the company is planning to open 14 additional outlets in Nigeria. Whitey Basson, chief executive of Shoprite said Nigeria will get 14 new stores in the next 20 months. He added that the company is also building a distribution centre in Nigeria – the center is aimed at moving goods faster as imports into Nigeria can be delayed in ports for up to three months or so.
Shoprite also revealed that it plans to add another 35 stores this year to the 189 it has in the rest of Africa, hoping to improve on the 16 percent contribution that Africa ex-South Africa makes to its profits. Last year it opened 20 stores outside South Africa.
“It usually takes three to five years for countries to change from pavement shopping to using supermarkets,” Reuters quoted Basson
The outlet at Tete is expected to boost the economy of the community later this year when the new rail corridor to Nacala is officially opened. Further to this, a new coal fired power station is in a very advanced planning stage. Tete is strategically positioned between Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi making it a strategic transport and logistics hub.
“We are thrilled to bring this new shopping experience to Tete. The project has already provided jobs to the local community and we are confident that it will encourage further investment in the town” mentions Sean Oberholzer. Development Manager for Terrace Africa.
The new Shoprite store will feature a full selection of groceries and fresh produce as well as a bakery, deli, butchery and liquor offering. The development will also include fashion, furniture and banking services.
On their plans for future investment, Oberholzer states “Terrace Africa’s strategy is to build convenience type retail shopping centres across Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia. We focus on smaller towns where we are able to make a difference to the communities and bring new concepts and products to market, we are enthusiastic about the opportunities that exist in Mozambique as it suits our investment profile”.
