At a Glance
- Zambia’s retail sector grows with urbanization, rising incomes, and expanding middle-class demand.
- Shoprite, Choppies, and Pick n Pay dominate groceries, offering convenience and affordable essentials.
- Emerging chains like Sana Cash & Carry target underserved urban areas efficiently.
Zambia’s retail landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and a growing middle class.
The country is home to a mix of multinational chains, regional players, and fast-growing local supermarkets, shaping how Zambians shop.
From large-scale grocery chains to specialty stores in fashion, footwear, and energy, these retailers are redefining convenience, accessibility, and product diversity.
Among them, Shoprite Holdings leads with an extensive footprint, offering a mix of groceries, household goods, and consumer essentials across major cities like Lusaka, Ndola, and Kitwe. Meanwhile, chains like Game Stores and Pick ‘n Pay are leveraging electronics and general merchandise to cater to emerging consumer needs.
Local giants such as Choppies, Zambeef, and Bata combine scale with deep knowledge of Zambian markets, while newcomers like Sana Cash & Carry and Lumbani Supermarket are growing fast by serving underserved urban areas.
Shore Africa has researched Zambia’s market landscape. Here’s a closer look at the top ten retail players shaping Zambia’s commercial landscape.
1. Shoprite Zambia
Market Capitalization: $9.24 billion
Africa’s largest grocer dominates LuSE, leveraging scale, supply-chain efficiency, and Zambia’s rising consumer demand. Shoprite Holdings is currently the most valuable stock on the LuSE with a market valuation of ZMW190 billion ($9.24 billion) and making about 57.5 percent of the entire Lusaka Securities Exchange equity market. Dominating Zambia’s retail sector with over 30 stores nationwide, its large-scale grocery operations cover urban and peri-urban areas, offering affordable essentials, household goods, and fresh produce.
2. Game Zambia
Game focuses on electronics, home appliances, and general merchandise. With a growing presence in Lusaka and Kitwe, it caters to tech-savvy and middle-income consumers seeking quality products at competitive prices. Game’s strategy combines bulk buying with promotions to appeal to cost-conscious shoppers.
3. Pick n Pay Zambia
Pick n Pay blends groceries, household goods, and personal care items under one roof. Its stores in Lusaka and Ndola are popular for convenience shopping and loyalty programs. The retailer emphasizes product variety and quality, attracting both middle-class and premium consumers.
4. Spar Zambia
Spar operates neighborhood supermarkets across major Zambian cities. It specializes in fresh groceries, packaged goods, and ready-to-eat meals. Its franchise model encourages local entrepreneurship while maintaining international standards in store layout, hygiene, and product range.
5. Choppies Zambia
Choppies, originally from Botswana, has scaled rapidly in Zambia with a focus on affordable groceries for urban and peri-urban communities. It emphasizes local sourcing, competitive pricing, and promotions to maintain loyalty among price-sensitive shoppers.
6. BATA – Zambia Bata Shoe
Bata Zambia is the leading footwear retailer, offering a wide range of affordable and quality shoes for all age groups. It combines local stores and urban presence to cater to schools, offices, and individual consumers. Bata also drives employment and retail training locally.
7. ZMBF – Zambeef Products
Zambeef is Zambia’s largest vertically integrated food company, with retail outlets selling meat, dairy, and packaged groceries. Its strong supply chain ensures consistent product quality, and the retailer contributes significantly to local agriculture and employment.
8. PUMA – Puma Energy
Puma Energy operates fuel stations with retail shops across Zambia. Beyond fuel, it provides convenience items, beverages, and snacks. The brand’s presence in high-traffic locations ensures wide consumer reach, combining energy supply with retail convenience.
9. Woolworths
Woolworths focuses on premium fashion, homeware, and beauty products. Its Lusaka outlets cater to higher-income consumers, offering quality clothing, groceries, and imported goods. The retailer emphasizes sustainability, sourcing some products locally and reducing packaging waste.
10. Sana Cash & Carry & Lumbani Supermarket
These fast-growing Zambian chains serve urban communities with groceries, household goods, and fresh produce. They compete with established players by offering convenience, competitive pricing, and targeted promotions, carving a niche in Zambia’s dynamic retail market.
