Shoprite, South Africa’s biggest retailer, is expanding beyond supermarkets with the acquisition of Vida e Caffè, adding one of the country’s best-known coffee chains to its growing consumer business.

The deal gives Shoprite control of a 400-store coffee brand at a time when coffee shops, convenience outlets and digital ordering are becoming a bigger part of the food and beverage market. Vida has grown from a single Cape Town store into an international business.

Shoprite announced the acquisition in its 2026 annual results, alongside its purchase of R&A Cellular, which will form part of its financial services business and help smaller and informal businesses provide essential financial services. Neither acquisition was categorisable under JSE listing requirements.

The deal comes as Shoprite reports strong results across its retail operations. Revenue rose 7.1% to R274.8 billion($17.05 billion), while Checkers Sixty60 sales jumped 34.5% to R25.5 billion($1.58 billion).

Shoprite CEO Pieter Engelbrecht said Vida e Caffè had established itself as South Africa’s leading coffee brand. He said its diverse customer base, store formats and digital offering would give Shoprite another way to reach customers.

Vida e Caffè builds regional presence

Vida e Caffè opened its 400th store in Cape Town after starting as one neighborhood coffee shop in 2001. Inspired by Portugal’s street cafés, the brand now operates in Ghana, Mauritius, Zambia, Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia and Angola.

The company has also moved beyond traditional coffee shops, acquiring healthy restaurant chain Sweetbeet in 2021. It has partnerships with LIFT Airline, SPAR and Exclusive Books, while customers can order through Uber Eats and Mr D. Vida also operates food trucks, forecourt outlets, corporate locations, drive-thrus and its own app.

Shoprite earnings strengthen

Shoprite’s revenue increased from R256.6 billion($15.93 billion) in 2025 to R274.8 billion($17.06 billion) in 2026, while sales rose 7.2%. Headline earnings per share climbed 12.2% to R15.27($0.94). Checkers sales increased 10% to R105.2 billion($6.53 billion).

Shoprite and Usave grew about 4.3% and opened 83 stores, taking their combined network to 1,259 outlets. Checkers and Checkers Hyper added 32 stores to reach 382 supermarkets in South Africa.

Sixty60 drives digital growth

Checkers Sixty60 was the standout performer, with sales rising 34.5% to R25.5 billion($1.58 billion).

The platform added R6.6 billion($409.73 million) in sales during the year, more than the combined increase recorded by Shoprite and Usave.

Launched in late 2019 in areas including Cape Town and Johannesburg, Sixty60 has become a major part of Shoprite’s digital retail business.

The group also added 54 stores across adjacent businesses, including Petshop Science, Checkers Outdoor, Little Me and Uniq Clothing.

Shoprite is South Africa’s largest retailer by revenue and one of its biggest private-sector employers, with more than 174,000 employees and businesses spanning supermarkets, delivery, financial services and other consumer operations.

The Vida e Caffè acquisition adds coffee and convenience to Shoprite’s portfolio as the retailer continues to expand its range of services and strengthen its position across South Africa and other African markets.