Contradicting statements from Shoprite, Africa’s largest retail chain, and Chastex Consult, public relations firm, have cast airs of confusion over the reported plans by Shoprite to exit the Nigerian market it entered 15 years ago.
Earlier on Monday, Shoprite, disclosed in a statement titled: “Operational and Voluntary Trading Update (52 Weeks Ended June 28, 2020), that “Following approaches from various potential investors and in line with our re-evaluation of the Group’s operating model in Nigeria, the Board has decided to initiate a formal process to consider the potential sale of all, or a majority stake, in Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Shoprite International Limited.
“As such, Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited may be classified as discontinued operation when Shoprite reports its results for the year. Any further updates will be provided to the market at the appropriate time,” the company explained.
It disclosed that its international supermarkets (excluding Nigeria) contributed 11.6 per cent to the group’s sales and reported 1.4 per cent decline in sales from 2018. South African operations contributed 78 per cent of overall sales and saw 8.7 per cent rise for the year.
It stated that despite difficult circumstances occasioned by the Covid-19 lockdown and accompanying regulations governing trade, transport and operations, the group increased total sale of merchandise for the 52-week to June 28, 2020 (including the impact of hyperinflation in the prior year), by 6.4 per cent to approximately R156.9 billion.
But Chastex Consult, PR firm handling Shoprite claimed that “Shoprite is not leaving Nigeria”
Ini Archibong, country director, Chastex Consult, said Shoprite is only allowing Nigerian investors into the South African retail company, and not packing up from Nigeria.
According to him, the superstore giant won’t shutdown its $30 billion investment as it makes no sense, “Shoprite is not leaving Nigeria.
“We have only just opened to Nigerian investors which we have also been talking to just before now. We are not leaving, who leaves over a $30billion invest and close shop? It doesn’t sound right. We only just given this opportunity to Nigeria investors to come in and also help drive our expansion plan in Nigeria. So we are not leaving.
“I have tried to say this as too many people as I can. There should be no panic at all and all of that. There is no truth in that report.” Archibong told Vanguard in a report.