Shoprite to acquire PicardiRebel after Competition Commission approval

Shoprite Holdings, South Africa’s largest supermarket retailer, has won regulatory approval to acquire the country’s liquor retailer PicardiRebel, adding 34 stores to the country’s largest supermarket group as it expands across retail and consumer services.

 South Africa’s Competition Commission recommended that the Competition Tribunal approve the transaction, subject to conditions designed to address public interest concerns. 

PicardiRebel operates 34 retail outlets, including one wholesale operation, across South Africa. The liquor business has been operating in the country for about 45 years and has established stores in several major markets. 

Under the commission’s recommendation, Shoprite will have to commit capital to refurbish PicardiRebel’s liquor stores within a specified period after the transaction is completed. 

“The merged entity will be required to commit to capital expenditure, including the refurbishment of the Target Business’s liquor stores within a specified period,” the commission said. 

The regulator said the deal was unlikely to substantially lessen or prevent competition in any relevant market.

Shoprite expands liquor business 

The acquisition will add to Shoprite’s already sizable presence in South Africa’s liquor market. The group operates about 2,577 stores in the country, including 352 Checkers LiquorShop outlets. 

The commission noted that Shoprite’s liquor stores are typically located next to or near its supermarkets, giving the group an established distribution network for alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. 

Checkers LiquorShop also delivered strong sales growth in Shoprite’s latest financial year. Sales increased about 14.5% to R8.3 billion ($510.6 million), while the group opened 40 new liquor stores during the period. 

Shoprite, founded in 1979 and headquartered in Cape Town, operates in eight African countries. The group, which is also South Africa’s largest private-sector employer, said in its 2026 financial results that it had 232 new stores confirmed for the following financial year. Group sales increased by 7.2% to R270.8 billion ($16.6 billion) adding R18.1 billion ($1.1 billion) compared to the previous year, and total income of R70.7 billion ($4.3 billion), up 7.8%.

Acquisitions broaden Shoprite’s reach 

PicardiRebel is one of several businesses Shoprite is adding as the group expands beyond traditional grocery retail. 

Shoprite has agreed to acquire Vida e Caffè, the South African coffee and quick-service restaurant chain. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval, with completion expected in the 2027 financial year. 

Vida, founded in Cape Town about 25 years ago, has grown to roughly 400 stores. “Vida e Caffè strengthens our presence in the coffee and quick service restaurant category while adding deep operational expertise in this fast-growing market,” Shoprite said. 

The group has also acquired a majority stake in R&A Cellular, a South African technology and payments company. Shoprite plans to use the business to expand its financial services offering among informal and semi-formal retailers. 

R&A Cellular provides devices that allow smaller retailers to offer financial and other everyday services to customers. 

Together with its store-opening program, the acquisitions give Shoprite additional avenues for expansion across South Africa.