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· Shoprite International Limited is closing down its operations in Nigeria
· It is reported that Shoprite operations in Nigeria lost 8.1% in sales in the second half of 2019, partly due to the Xenophobic outbursts in Nigeria triggered by violent demonstrations in South Africa mainly by Nigerians, who for a long time settled in that country and pursuing trading and other activities
Shoprite International Limited is closing its operations in Nigeria. It is reported that Shoprite operations in Nigeria lost 8.1% in sales in the second half of 2019, partly due to the Xenophobic outbursts in Nigeria triggered by violent demonstrations in South Africa mainly by Nigerians, who for a long time settled in that country and pursuing trading and other activities. Because of the arson and police interventions a few people of Nigerian origin died in South Africa. This triggered violence in Nigeria and burning of shops and establishments owned by South Africans in Nigeria.
There are other South African companies, which have announced their withdrawals from Nigeria. Mr. Prince, another South African company, announced its closure of Nigerian operations and already shuttered four of the five retail outlets in the country, blaming Nigeria’s difficult environment for the hard decision.
Shoprite has been operating for 15 years in Nigeria. Recently, the company said that its annual customer visits have come down by 7.4% due to the pandemic lockdown. The sales of the chain also did not indicate any healthy traction, with a sales increase of 0.1% per annum.