As part of its aggressive expansion drive, Africa’s largest retailer by stores, Shoprite defied growing security concerns to open its first retail outlet in Kano, northern Nigeria’s largest city and main commercial hub, Mar 20.
The South African retailer’s new $20m 24,000m² Centre at the new Ado Bayero Mall, which is said to be Nigeria’s biggest, brings the number of its stores in Nigeria to eight. The retailer already has about 1,800 outlets globally and it is planning to open additional four shops, slated to open before the end of the year.
The South African retailer’s aggressive expansion move in the Nigerian retail market is a sign of sustained foreign interest in Africa’s second-biggest economy.
Store manager Adulhakeem Abdulganiyu told news men that Shoprite is hoping to leverage on kano’s huge population which provides ample business opportunity. “We decided to expand our reach to Kano as part of our commitment to widen our presence in the Nigerian mega cities.” “With…Shoprite’s status, other retailers will have to sit up and compete in terms of prices, efficiency, customer satisfaction, product guarantees, security of environment and other customer-related needs,” he quoted Badayi Sani, an economist, as saying. Although some businesses have closed shop, with residents relocating to more peaceful parts of the country as a result of the violent attacks, Shoprite is apparently determined to cash in on the potential of Kano’s market despite the prevalent security challenges in the northern Nigeria. “If we continue saying we will not come due to the prevailing security situation we will not move forward. All we need to do is make adequate provisions to overcome such challenges,” Abdulganiyu said addressing security concerns.
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