South African billionaire Christo Wiese’s Shoprite sales hit $17 billion, opens 262 stores in one year

Shoprite Holdings, Africa’s largest retailer and partly owned by South African billionaire Christo Wiese, has delivered another year of strong sales growth, with merchandise sales from continuing operations reaching $17 billion after a single-digit rise during the 52 weeks ended June 28, 2026.

The performance highlights Shoprite’s ability to grow sales despite a low-inflation environment, with the retailer’s South African supermarket business significantly outperforming the broader retail market.

Shoprite outpaces South African retail market

For the 52 weeks ended June 28, 2026, the retailer’s merchandise sales from continuing operations reached R270.8 billion ($17 billion), generating R18.1 billion ($1.12 billion) in incremental sales during the year, up from R252.7 billion ($15.66 billion) in the prior period, while expanding its store network by a net 262 outlets across its South African supermarket operations.

Supermarkets South Africa, Shoprite‘s core business, generated R228.7 billion ($14.17 billion) in sales, representing 84.5% of Group sales and a 7.1% increase from the previous year. The performance was significantly ahead of NielsenIQ’s 2% growth for the broader South African retail market, demonstrating Shoprite’s continued ability to gain ground in a highly competitive sector. The retailer added R15.2 billion ($941.79 million) in sales from its South African supermarket operations, while like-for-like sales increased 2%. 

Internal selling price inflation remained exceptionally low at 0.8%, compared with 3.9% food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation measured by Statistics South Africa during the period. Shoprite and Usave, including Shoprite LiquorShop, increased sales 4.3%, while Checkers and Checkers Hyper, including Checkers LiquorShop, grew sales 10%. Checkers LiquorShop was among the strongest performers, with sales rising 14.5% during the year. 

Sixty60 drives digital commerce growth

Shoprite’s digital commerce business continued to emerge as a major growth engine, with its on-demand Sixty60 platform increasing sales by 34.5% to R25.5 billion ($1.6 billion).

The platform’s performance underscores the growing importance of digital shopping and rapid delivery to Shoprite’s wider retail strategy, with Sixty60 sales included within the reported sales of the underlying retail brands.

The retailer also recorded 57.4% growth across its adjacent businesses, while newer formats including Petshop Science, Uniq Clothing by Checkers, Checkers Outdoor and Little Me increased sales by 57.3%. Petshop Science added 41 net stores during the year to reach 185 outlets, while Checkers Outdoor increased its network to 31 stores and Uniq Clothing by Checkers reached 43 stores.

Shoprite adds 262 stores in one year

Shoprite expanded its South African retail footprint by a net 262 stores during the 12 months, taking its corporate-owned and operated store base to 2,839 outlets. The additions included 115 supermarkets, 93 liquor stores and 54 stores across new formats.

Within the Shoprite and Usave brands, the group added a net 136 stores, comprising 32 Shoprite, 51 Usave and 53 Shoprite LiquorShop outlets. Checkers and Checkers Hyper added another 32 stores, including 30 Checkers and two Checkers Hyper locations, while Checkers LiquorShop added 40 stores.

The expansion reinforces Shoprite’s strategy of combining physical store growth with digital commerce and alternative retail formats to deepen its presence across the South African market.

African operations maintain growth momentum

Shoprite’s supermarkets outside South Africa increased sales 11% in rand terms, contributing 8.4% of Group sales. On a constant-currency basis, however, sales growth was 7.1%, reflecting the impact of currency movements across its African markets.

Zambia was a notable performer, with reported sales increasing 27.4% and constant-currency growth reaching 7.2%. Angola recorded 2.1% growth in reported currency and 9.8% in constant currency, while Mozambique sales declined 16.4% in rand terms and 10.3% in constant currency. The non-South African supermarket business ended the year with 276 stores across seven countries.

Earnings expected to rise up to 15%

Shoprite expects headline earnings per share from continuing operations to increase between 9.7% and 14.7% for the year. Diluted headline earnings per share are expected to rise by the same range, while adjusted diluted headline earnings per share are forecast to increase between 10% and 15.0%.

The retailer also completed the sale of its non-South African furniture business, excluding Angola and Mozambique, to Pepkor Holdings for R568 million during the second half of the year. Shoprite said there were no share repurchases during the period.

The group’s full 2026 financial results are scheduled for release on Sept. 1, 2026, when management will provide further details on profitability, cash generation and its outlook for the new financial year.