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Shoprite dismisses rumours of closing shop, official remains ‘philosophical’

By Staff Writer

South-African Supermarket chain, ‘Shoprite’ has dispelled recent speculations regarding the ‘imminent closure’ of the Arusha Supermarket as well as all their other stores in Tanzania. 

While the chain’s Corporate Communication Manager Sarita van Wyk, is refuting the rumors, an email sent by this paper to Shoprite headquarters in Johannesburg last week returned with a response which indicated that the decision to stay or depart from Arusha was still pending the company’s ongoing stock taking of all the operations on the continent.

“All countries that the Shoprite Group trades in are consistently being reviewed in order to address issues which may impact on its business, such as the operational cost of registering merchandise, that affects the viability of our supermarkets,” responded Van Wyk via electronic mail.

According to the Shoprite Corporate Communications Manager; “No final decision has been made with regard to stores in Tanzania and Shoprite remains hopeful that it will overcome all hurdles to enable it to make a good investment in the country again,”

Shoprite Supermarket at the TFA Shopping Centre. So far the largest in Arusha.

The speculations surrounding 'Shoprite' imminent exit from Tanzania started floating in Arusha  in recent months.

Shoprite-Checkers which entered Tanzanian market in 2001, was the first outfit to run  fully-fledged supermarkets in the country and since then it has been operating  several  outlets in the country. 

Ever since it opened up shop in Arusha in October 2002, the ‘Shoprite’ stores here have remained the only real ‘supermarket’ to serve the city in the last 11 years and its presence at the ‘Tanganyika Farmers Association’ premises had given birth to other mushrooming modern shopping outlets and restaurants that now form the popular ‘TFA’ shopping mall.

Dar-es-salaam Shoprite runs a supermarket at ‘Kamata’ area along Pugu Road and another at Mlimani City’s Shopping Mall in Ubungo area. 
Shoprite had previously closed two minor outlets in Dar-es-Salaam after they were found to be operating at a loss.

With well over 2000 stores in 16 countries, with around 20 million shoppers between them, Shoprite stocking resulted in bulk buying power which helped the chain to offer what Shoprite describes as ‘Lowest Prices You Can Trust!’ especially on items like food and household items.

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