BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes
CHOPPIES Enterprise Limited is expected to soon close its supermarket outlets in four African countries excluding Zambia as it is self-sustaining.
According to Choppies Enterprise Limited Chief Executive Officer, Ramachandran Ottapathu, the enterprise would close supermarkets in South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique because they were not profitable.
Mr Ottapathu said Zambia would not be affected as the business was self-sustaining and growing slowly.
“Zambia is self-sustaining and growing slowly and in Zimbabwe we will look at the market and how it goes. Namibia, we need to grow,” he said.
The company is expected to close its supermarkets across several African nations in a bid to focus on its growth in Botswana, where it is listed, according to GNN Africa news outlets. It will add stores in Botswana this year instead and explore new markets.
Gaborone-based news site Mmegionline was the first to report the retailer’s exit from four African nations on Monday.