Pick n Pay in Zambia

The company opened its first Zambian store in Lusaka in July last year and this latest store, in Ndola, is the second of seven planned for the country over the next four years.

“The southern African region represents an increasingly attractive market for us,” said Pick n Pay head of group enterprises, Dallas Langman. “As disposable incomes continue to grow, the region’s retail potential remains largely untapped and there is considerable opportunity for foreign investors who are willing to enter into constructive partnerships with local communities and government agencies.”

He added that the opening of the Ndola store is not only an act of commercial expansion but also an expression of confidence in Zambia’s economic future.

Pick n Pay invested over US$3.5 million into the Ndola store which includes stock provision upon opening. The Ndola store is store roughly 800m bigger than the first store and will include Zambia’s first Pick n Pay clothing range.

With the opening of its second Zambian store, Pick n Pay has employed over 300 Zambian citizens and by the end of the year, this number will have extended to over 600 employees. “In just a short space of time we have seen enormous growth from our employees and have already seen many of them be promoted in our Pick n Pay Zambian team,” Langman added.

As part of its intention to support local farmers and suppliers while assisting economic growth in Zambia, Pick n Pay made a commitment to the Zambian government that 50 per cent of its turnover would come from local suppliers.

“We have exceeded this expectation, with 65 per cent of turnover currently derived from Zambian suppliers,” Langman said, noting that small scale farmers, in particular, had proved themselves more than capable of providing quality foodstuffs.