PICK ‘N PAY converts Score stores to franchises for emerging markets

Planet Retail 23 Jun 2008

South African group Pick ‘n Pay has announced plans to extend its presence in underdeveloped areas, primarily through converting Score stores to Pick ‘n Pay franchises. The group aims to fill gaps on its footprint map and open supermarkets in areas where it does not have a presence and where there is sufficient demand for a store. The emerging market is incredibly important to Pick ‘n Pay, according to MD of Group Enterprises Adrian Naude. One route into these areas is converting underperforming Score outlets into Pick ‘n Pay Family franchises, which the group aims to sell to black entrepreneurs. The retailer's emerging market division, which was set up to identify and train black franchisees in SA, Botswana and Swaziland, will assist with this conversion.

Pick ‘n Pay opened the first two converted stores in December and the programme has continued this year with an intensive opening rollout beginning in March across Gauteng, Limpopo and Free State. The aim is to open more than 35 stores before the end of the calendar year. Of its 120 Score stores, 80 will be converted into Family stores.

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