FOR formal retail, Africa is one of the world’s few remaining frontiers. It is one on which SA retailers are making their mark, with the combined footprint of the 13 main contenders now in excess of 1 400 stores.

Shoprite leads the pack, its 320 stores in 14 countries generating R19bn in annual sales, which is 16,4% of the group total. Shoprite CE Whitey Basson, who has long termed Africa “our future growth driver”, is just getting into his stride…..more