South Africa’s grocery retailer ShopRite is leaving Africa’s biggest market, Nigeria, 15 years after it opened shop in the West African country.
The announcement by ShopRite came months after another South African brand, Mr Price, exited the market.
International supermarkets (excluding Nigeria) contributed 11.6% to group sales and reported 1.4% decline in sales from 2018. South African operations contributed 78% of overall sales and saw 8.7% rise for the year.
The company said it has been approached by potential investors willing to take over its Nigerian operations. It said it considering an outright sale of its operation or selling a majority stake in its Nigerian subsidiary.
“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 a discontinued operation when Shoprite reports its results for the year.
“Any further updateswill be provided to the market at the appropriate time,” ShopRite said in a statement on Monday.
(The Guardian)
