Shoprite reports 7.2% sales growth despite South Africa’s economic pressures
Company posts higher revenue across domestic and international operations; digital and new-format stores show strong expansion
SOUTH AFRICA – Shoprite Holdings, one of South Africa’s largest supermarket chains, recorded a 7.2% increase in sales from continuing operations for the six months ending 28 December 2025, reaching approximately US$7.3 billion (R136.8 billion).
The growth represents an additional US$491 million (R9.2 billion) compared with the restated sales of US$6.8 billion (R127.6 billion) in the first half of 2025, following the reclassification of operations in Ghana, Malawi, and certain furniture businesses in Angola and Mozambique as discontinued operations.
Sales in the company’s main South African supermarket segment, which contributes 84.3% of total revenue, rose 7.1%, adding roughly US$414 million (R7.7 billion) over the period.
Internal selling price inflation in these stores remained low, averaging 0.7% for the six months, significantly below official food inflation of 4.7%, and contributing to a 1.9% increase in like-for-like sales during a period when selling prices moved into deflation in November and December.
Shoprite and Usave outlets, including Shoprite LiquorShop, saw sales climb 5.1% and 0.7%, respectively, despite internal price deflation of 0.1% and 0.7%, while Shoprite LiquorShop alone grew 10.1%.
Checkers and Checkers Hyper stores, including Checkers LiquorShop, increased sales by 8.9% with internal selling price rises of 1.9% for Checkers and 1.1% for Checkers Hyper, and Checkers LiquorShop grew 12.7%.
On-demand sales through the Sixty60 digital platform jumped 34.6%, while the company’s smaller retail formats, including Petshop Science, Uniq Clothing by Checkers, Checkers Outdoor, and Little Me, posted combined growth of 71.2%.
The South African store network added 262 net new stores over the year, bringing the total to 2,747, including 50 Shoprite, 42 Usave, 32 Checkers, four Checkers Hyper, 81 LiquorShop, and 53 new-format stores. Little Me closed two locations, bringing the total to 10.
Sales from Shoprite’s non-South African supermarkets rose 12.1% in rand terms, contributing 8.4% to group revenue, while constant currency growth stood at 9.5%, supported by a net addition of 15 stores across seven countries.
Other operating segments, including OK Franchise, Transpharm, Medirite Pharmacies, Red Star Wholesale Catering Services, and Computicket, grew 3.5% and accounted for 7.3% of group sales. Medirite retail pharmacies and in-store dispensaries expanded 13.5%, and Transpharm distribution increased 5.5%.
Shoprite’s voluntary guidance indicates that headline earnings per share and diluted HEPS from continuing operations for the six months are expected to remain within previously outlined ranges.
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