Nigeria: One Year After, New Outlets Take Over Shoprite Stores

What the report says

Daily Trust reports that former Shoprite stores in Nigeria are being repurposed by new retailers about a year after the South African supermarket chain closed most of its outlets in the country. The story says the changes are visible in several major cities, including Abuja, Lagos, Ilorin and Ibadan, while some sites remain inactive or show signs of neglect.

According to the report, Shoprite had operated in Nigeria for nearly two decades before its exit, which it linked to high operating costs and shifting business conditions. After the departure, control of the franchise passed to Ketron Investment Limited, a local investor group led by Persianas Investment. The new operator, Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited, said it was resetting the business model to rely less on imports and more on local sourcing, amid inflation, currency pressure and liquidity constraints.

In Abuja, the former Shoprite space at Novare Central Mall has been taken over by SPAR Market Nigeria, while another location at Gateway Mall now houses Market Square. In Lagos, activity at Ikeja has been replaced by other businesses, though the Surulere site still appears subdued and partly worn. In Ilorin and Ibadan, the former Shoprite spaces have reportedly been occupied by Sinomat, a Chinese retail business. The report highlights how Nigeria’s retail market is adjusting as established brands scale back or leave, opening room for competitors to move in.