Nigeria’s once-dominant supermarket giant, Shoprite, is facing one of its toughest periods since entering the market nearly two decades ago. Once regarded as the symbol of modern retail shopping in the country, the retail chain is now struggling to sustain operations, four years after its South African parent company divested.
According to Bendelnews, checks reveal that Shoprite outlets in Ilorin and Ibadan have already closed their doors, while several others across the country are grappling with empty shelves and dwindling foot traffic.
At Lagos’ Ikeja City Mall, the flagship outlet once a bustling hub for shoppers now presents a stark contrast: half-empty aisles, scarce groceries, and visibly reduced patronage.
Employees at the branch attributed the crisis to ongoing negotiations with suppliers, which have stalled restocking. “Hopefully, once discussions are finalized, operations will stabilize,” one staff member told reporters. However, others admitted the disruption has dragged on for months, fueling uncertainty about their jobs.
The situation is no different in Abuja, where the Jabi Lake Mall outlet has suffered two months without fresh supplies. “Everybody here, our chest is beating because we don’t know what’s happening,” a worried employee said, reflecting the unease among staff.
Shoprite first entered Nigeria in 2005, rapidly expanding across major cities and creating thousands of jobs.
But rising operational costs, unresolved rent disputes, foreign exchange challenges, and growing competition have steadily eroded its dominance.
Despite the setbacks, Shoprite’s management insists it has no plans to exit Nigeria, pledging that shelves will be restocked by the end of September.
Yet with multiple branches shuttered and others visibly struggling, consumers and industry watchers are increasingly skeptical about the supermarket chain’s ability to reclaim its former glory.