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Shoprite Holdings, Africa’s largest retailer, partly owned by South African billionaire Christo Wiese, has unveiled 16 new stores in a single week, significantly expanding its footprint across the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Gauteng provinces.
The crown jewel of this expansion is the Checkers Fresh X flagship at Hyde Park Corner in Sandton, which opened on July 31, 2025. Positioned strategically to cater to a discerning clientele, the store offers an innovative layout and a curated selection of both local and international products.
Shoprite expands while enhancing customer experience
Over the past seven days, the Shoprite Group opened a total of 16 new outlets, including two Shoprite, three Checkers, and two Usave supermarkets. The group also expanded its specialty formats with one Little Me, one Medirite, one Checkers Liquorshop, one Checkers Outdoor, one UNIQ clothing by Checkers, and four Petshop Science stores. These openings created 358 jobs, strengthening the group’s support for local communities.
The new stores are designed to offer modern layouts, a wider range of products, and a more enjoyable shopping experience, reflecting Shoprite’s ongoing efforts to meet customer needs. Ree O’Brein, who has been with Checkers since 2018, will manage the Hyde Park flagship store. This single location alone has created 138 jobs, highlighting the company’s commitment to employment and contributing to local economic growth..
Shoprite expands stores, driving innovation, market Leadership
Shoprite’s aggressive expansion comes amid intense competition in South Africa’s retail sector, particularly in premium markets such as Sandton. The group continues to reinforce its position as market leader while addressing consumer demands for convenience, quality, and variety.
The Checkers Fresh X format highlights Shoprite’s focus on innovation, with state-of-the-art store layouts and enhanced product offerings designed to attract a wide range of shoppers. The rollout of these flagship and complementary stores is part of a larger plan to strengthen Shoprite’s presence in high-potential areas and future-proof its retail portfolio.
Shoprite’s expansion and footprint
Across the continent, Shoprite operates over 3,600 outlets and employs more than 150,000 people. The retailer runs 268 stores in seven countries outside South Africa, with non-RSA supermarket sales rising 14.2 percent in constant currency and contributing 8.1 percent of total sales. Wiese, who owns an 11.5 percent stake, remains a key figure in the group’s long-term strategic direction. He has a net worth of $1.7 billion, according to Forbes.
With these new openings, Shoprite continues to implement its long-term growth strategy, prioritizing customer experience, local employment, and operational excellence. As South Africa’s leading grocery chain, the group is positioned to expand further while maintaining its competitive edge in an increasingly dynamic retail market.
