US retail giant Walmart is set to open its first branded store in South Africa this Saturday, 22 November, marking a significant milestone in its expansion strategy for the region. The inaugural store will be located at Clearwater Mall in Roodepoort, with additional locations, including Fourways Mall, confirmed for future openings.
While Walmart has operated in South Africa for over a decade through its ownership of Massmart and its associated brands—Makro, Game, and Builders—this launch represents the company’s first direct branded retail presence in the country. Walmart initially acquired a 51% stake in Massmart in 2010, completing the acquisition in 2022, after which Massmart was delisted from the JSE.
The decision to roll out Walmart-branded stores follows years of challenges for Massmart’s retail chains, particularly Game, and was first announced in September 2025. The move signals Walmart’s intent to leverage its global brand strength and retail expertise to capture a larger share of South Africa’s competitive retail market.
The Clearwater Mall store will offer a wide range of products, including:
- Fresh and frozen foods
- Groceries
- Health and beauty items
- Apparel and baby products
- Homeware and electronics
- Toys, sports, and outdoor equipment
- Seasonal goods
Walmart emphasized its commitment to local sourcing, stating that most products will come from South African suppliers, complemented by a curated selection of global brands. Among the imported offerings is the Beautiful range by Hollywood actress Drew Barrymore, featuring stylish kitchen appliances such as air fryers, kettles, blenders, and toasters. Walmart described the line as combining premium quality with elegant design, adding a touch of inspiration to everyday shopping.
According to Mark Scott, Walmart’s Vice President of Merchandise, the goal is to create a shopping experience that balances familiarity with discovery:
A key objective has been to broaden product choices in a way that creates a sense of discovery—where shoppers are pleasantly surprised by options that bring interest and excitement to their everyday shopping experience.
The store will employ over 80 staff members, led by Store Manager Onicca Mothapo, a retail veteran with two decades of experience. Reflecting on her journey, Mothapo said:
Opening this store is deeply personal. From where I began my career as a store cashier, I could never have imagined that I would one day grow to become store manager for the first Walmart store in Africa.
This launch marks the beginning of Walmart’s direct retail footprint in South Africa, signaling a new era for the country’s retail landscape.
