Retail Supermarket Nigeria Limited (RSNL), operating as Shoprite Nigeria, has mulled a bullish two to five-year growth plan to open four outlets annually across the country as bold expressions of its confidence in the Nigerian market.
This is even as the company has closed its Ado Bayero Store in Kano from January 14, 2024.
In a statement signed by company’s chief executive officer, Hubertus Rick and made available to LEADERSHIP, the company disclosed that, “while we will close down stores that are performing sub-optimally as the consumer economy tightens, we plan to open four new outlets annually across the country guided by what reliable retail market research tells us.”
It also said: “aside the planned store closure and on a brighter note, Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited has also commenced some store reopening across different locations expected to span across the outgoing year 2023 right into 2024.
“The locations included Circle Mall, Lekki; Garden City Mall, Port Harcourt; Galaxy Mall, Kaduna; and Shoprite Benin.”
The company cited consumer buying power, high cost of doing business, rental cost and its ethical commitment amongst the reasons for the decision to close the Kano outlet in the meantime.
Shoprite revealed that the reason for its non-renewal of the rent at the Ado Bayero store is the store’s negative financial performance and the general business climate.
Rick clarified that the decision was not made lightly, as the company understands the impact it may have on its employees and the community.
He, however, said: “after careful evaluation of the financial situation of the store and the current business climate, Shoprite believes it is the best course of action for the long-term growth of our organisation.”
He also emphasised that the decision does not imply that Shoprite will not do business in Kano when the business environment becomes favourable as Kano is a big city with room for a Shoprite concept.
Rick assured of plans by the company to assist employees who may be affected by the difficult decision saying, “we understand that this news may be difficult to digest, and we want to assure you that we are here to support you during this transition period. Your well-being is our top priority, and we will do everything we can to assist you in finding new opportunities within our company.
“We encourage you to apply for any vacant positions in our existing stores across the country through the Human Resources department. Additionally, we will be opening new stores in the coming months, and you are welcome to apply for employment there as well,” he stressed.
Despite the current challenges faced by retail businesses in Nigeria, the company pledged its long-term commitment to remain in Nigeria, expressing confidence that the economic policy options currently pursued by the federal government will yield long term results that will provide the enabling environment for the retail business to thrive in Nigeria.
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