Walmart Africa COO Dries D’Hooghe steps down
The resignation comes after nearly a decade at Walmart Africa and Massmart.
SOUTH AFRICA – Dries D’Hooghe, chief operating officer of Walmart Africa and Massmart, has announced his resignation after leading the company for nearly 10 years.
In a LinkedIn post, D’Hooghe expressed gratitude for the opportunities and experiences he gained while working with Walmart across Canada and South Africa.
He highlighted his involvement in supporting employees, advancing omni-channel operations during COVID in Canada, and launching the first Walmart stores in Africa as significant milestones of his tenure.
D’Hooghe said he found satisfaction in investing in staff development and observing their professional growth over the years.
He also thanked mentors who provided guidance and challenges that allowed him to expand his skills and leadership abilities.
Looking ahead, D’Hooghe indicated that he will relocate to Dubai to take over as Managing Director of Majid Al Futtaim Carrefour.
Walmart developments in South Africa
The announcement comes shortly after Walmart opened its third South African outlet at East Point Shopping Centre in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, on Saturday, 28 February 2026.
The Boksburg store operates from 8 am to 8 pm Monday to Saturday and 9 am to 5 pm on Sundays and public holidays, following openings at Clearwater Mall in November and Fourways Mall.
Customer feedback from previous launches reportedly showed positive reception to Walmart’s pricing approach, prompting further expansion in the region.
The new store forms part of a plan to open 21 additional locations across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape, with some existing Game stores being converted under the Walmart brand.
Hector Msane, a retail professional with 22 years of experience, will lead the ribbon-cutting event at the store located at Shop L17, the corner of Rietfontein and North Rand Road, Jansen Park.
Massmart has indicated that several Game store sites may close in the coming months as the company restructures to establish a wider national footprint under Walmart.
André Steyn, Massmart vice president of format acceleration, stated that independent price comparisons since the opening of Clearwater Mall show Walmart sells a standard trolley of essentials, including bread, milk, eggs, rice, sunflower oil, and sugar, at lower costs.
Sales data from existing stores show high demand for items such as roast chicken quarters, sirloin steaks, Dr Pepper soft drinks, and confectionery, including Reese’s chocolate bars and Sour Patch Kids.
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