How Shoprite lost over $15 million to xenophobia over stores’ closure, looting

Shoprite, a leading retail stores in Africa  has lost over N5.5billion ($15 million) in sales since the xenophobic attacks in South Africa against African nationals have intensified in key South Africa communities, 789marketing can authoritatively report.

The loss is reportedly recorded across the 15 markets in Africa Shoprite currently have presence.

According to some reliable sources in Shoprite Nigeria, several stores in South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe and others countries who citizens may have suffered xenophobic attacks  were shut down and are still being shut.

“This development has affected the company’s bottomline” said a senior management staff who pleaded anonymity.

He added that “Shoprite has lost over N5.5 billion approximately $15million in sales across its stores in 15 African countries. The looting in Lekki stores is the worse we have experienced since the retail giant began business.”

In a statement yesterday in Lagos, the Shoprite Group strongly condemned any kind of violence and intimidation against the citizens and businesses of countries on the African continent and anywhere in the world.

The retailer, according to the official statement said, “It is highly concerned about the acts of xenophobic violence against foreign nationals that sporadically flare up and the resultant rhetoric of intolerance that is levelled against foreigners and the platform this creates for criminals to exploit it.

“As a company with deep African roots who employs thousands of African nationals and works to bring affordable prices to consumers in 15 countries on the continent, we would like to see an end to xenophobia across the continent,” statement further said.

Shoprite lamented the store inability to open for business across Africa for fear of attack and the safety of its workers and property.

Senior management staff of the company said, “Several stores in South Africa, Nigeria and Zambia are today unable to open due to protest action and extensive damage has been done to several supermarkets over the past 24 hours, impacting the lives of millions of law abiding people. “

“We remain committed to engage with Government, industry and consumer groups so that decisive action is taken against those involved in violent crimes and intimidation against foreign nationals as well as to convey our strong position against xenophobia,” the Group said.