Supermarket chains in Africa are vying for customers, with some smaller chains ramping up to expand to new countries, and mega chains like Shoprite—which already has over 1,000 locations—charging ahead with new branches, too. Here are 12 of the biggest supermarket chains in Africa.
Pick N Pay
Pick N Pay is the second largest supermarket chain in South Africa, which other locations in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, Mauritius and Namibia. Reuters.com notes that the Pick N Pay Stores Limited has supermarkets, convenience stores and online stores.
Shoprite
Shoprite over 1,000 locations in 15 countries, including South Africa, Namibia and Zambia. Shoprite Holdings Ltd has a number of businesses in addition to supermarkets, including fast food outlets, furniture stores and house and home stores, according to Shopriteholdings.co.za.
Woolworth’s Woolworth’s is a South African chain, originally purchased by the Marks and Spencer group and with similar products. The supermarket is part of the large department store Woolworth’s, which has men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, homeware and even financial services. There are, however, food-only Woolworth’s stores as well. Reuters.com says the store plans to open 15 new locations in Sub-Saharan Africa.
SPAR
SPAR is a major Dutch retail chain with locations in 35 countries worldwide, including half a dozen African countries. The major chain has a rewards program for members, sponsors sports events, and has a popular website with health and cooking tips, Spar.co.za.
Melcom
Melcom is a supermarket chain with 24 locations in Ghana. Accraexpat.com describes the shop as having a great dry foods section. Melcom is a part of the larger department store, Melcom Shopping Centre.
Nakumatt
Nakumatt has locations in Uganda, Kenya and South Africa, with a total of 52 stores in East Africa, says Reuters.com. Businessdailyafrica.com states that Nakumatt has plans to open 14 new stores, including in both South Sudan and Burundi.
Massmart
Massmart has 400 stores in 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Fastmoving.co.za notes that the company is the “Third largest distributor of consumer goods in Africa.” The company sells high volume products at low cost, similar to a Food 4 Less or Sam’s Club
Naivas
Naivas is Kenya’s third largest supermarket chain, with 39 branches in the country. Businessdailyafrica.com recently said the supermarket group aims to hire 450 additional employees to work at four new branches Naivas will be opening
Uchumi Uchumi is a Kenyan supermarket chain with 24 outlets in the country. Nation.co.ke reports that the company has in recent years lost customers to competitors and has taken on a new CEO to design a new, “customer-friendly” shopping experience.
Tuskys
Tusksys has almost fifty locations in Kenya and Uganda. Businessdailyafrica.com says six siblings own the company. The company recently took over five locations, previously owned by fellow supermarket chain Ukwala
Choppies
Choppies is another supermarket chain taking over Ukwala locations. Nation.co.ke reports the Botswanan group started with 57 stores in the nation and has plans to open stores in Namibia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. As the photo indicates, the chain has its own line of food products.
Source: AFK Insider
