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Botswana-based Choppies chain on an expansion drive in Namibia

By our News Team | 2024

Supermarket group opens three new stores simultaneously and plans to add 32 more Namibian outlets in the next five years.

Choppies, the Botswana-based supermarket chain, has opened three new stores in Namibia as part of an expansion strategy in the country. This will see it operating 50 local outlets within five years.

The three new stores are at Rosh Pinah, Oshakati Etango and Oshakati Santorini. Choppies now has 18 supermarkets in Namibia, after launching in November 2017 with three outlets.

Photo Credit: Choppies.

According to the company, the next three retail openings will be at Mondesa, Okakarara, and Nkurenkuru.

“The simultaneous opening of three new stores is a thrilling step for us, enlarging our footprint in Namibia,” said Deon Bauermeister, Namibia Country Manager for Choppies.

“This expansion not only enhances our ability to serve the community, but also significantly contributes to the local economy by creating 130 new jobs. We are steadfast in providing exceptional shopping experiences while upholding our responsibility as a corporate citizen.”

A 60% increase in sales in Namibia

The company’s Condensed Audited Group Financial Results for the year ending 30 June 2023 showed that it recorded a 60% increase in sales in Namibia for the period. It attributed this to strategic moves, including the opening of new retail stores during the year.

Choppies, which is listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange, operates in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. In the last financial year, it opened 16 new supermarkets across the four countries.

The chain is in the midst of a turnaround after several troubled years which saw it withdraw from markets such as South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania.

It was, at one stage, also suspended from both the Botswana Stock Exchange and Johannesburg Stock Exchange. It was later reinstated.

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