Pick N Pay

Founded in 1967 by Raymond Ackerman, Pick n Pay is a chain of supermarkets which rapidly became the 2nd largest chain in the country. Its headquarters is based in Cape Town, South Africa. The company has operations across 8 countries such as South Africa, Lesotho, Nigeria, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and eSwatini. 

As of 2021, the business operates 830 own stores and 761 franchise stores under the banner Pick N Pay, 342 own stores under the banner Boxer, 61 associated stores trading as TM and 28 trading as Pick N Pay. Moreover, the firm operates one of the largest online grocery platforms as well. 

In the financial year 2021, Pick N Pay achieved a turnover of €5 billion and employed 90,000 people. 

The chain offers products in the following categories:

• Savory Grocery: rice, grains, spices, oil, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: sugar, chocolate, breakfast cereals, hot drinks, etc.
• Drinks: juices, energy drinks, smoothies, etc.
• Wine & spirits: wines, beers, vodkas, etc. 
• Dairy: cheese, eggs, butter, yoghurts, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh Food: fruits, vegetables, salads, meat, seafood, etc.
• Frozen Food: fruits, ready-meals, ice-cream, meat, etc.
• Personal Care: fragrances, hair care, makeup, oral care, etc. 
• Household: detergent, air freshener, laundry care, etc.

Brands such as Lays, Milo, Maggi, Kit Kat, Spur, Absolute, Alpen, Bakers, Danone, Eureka, Freshpak, Frisco, Goldcrest and many others are endorsed by the firm. It is noteworthy that Pick N Pay caters for consumers with specific food needs as it offers a range of special products such as organic, kosher, halal, vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, vegetarian and many more. 

Pick N Pay developed its own brands known as (non-exhaustive list):

• No name: This brand includes products such as biscuits, popcorns, pastas, etc. 
• PNP Local: This brand is dedicated to preserves such as olives and pesto. 
• PNP Livewell: This brand consists of products such as olive oils, jams, peanut butters, etc. 
• PNP Freefrom: This brand includes gluten-free cereals, brown rice cakes, white rice cakes, etc. 

Pertaining to its logistics solutions, the retailer operates 14 distribution centres and partnered with Unitrans, a diversified supply chain solution company to handle its deliveries. 

In 2022, the company launched a new private label range known as Crafted Collection by PNP which includes high-end products. It is noteworthy that Pick N Pay’s private label products now amount to 25% of its sales. 

Moreover, the firm recently announced that it will be developing a new distribution centre in collaboration with Fortress Reit in Eastport which will cost about R2bn. The project is to be completed in 2023. 

In October 2022, Pick N Pay announced that it had delivered a positive performance in the first half year ended August 2022, registering 11.5% growth in its turnover. 

Pick n Pay’s online store can be accessed on www.pnp.co.za