Pieter Engelbrecht, CEO of Shoprite: We have a purpose to help people survive

We have a purpose to help people survive


Jewel Kiriungi speaks to Pieter Engelbrecht, CEO of Shoprite,
South Africa’s largest supermarket chain, who is trying to keep
prices low despite economic challenges across the continent.


Shoprite employs 163,000 people, more than any other in the
country’s private sector. Engelbrecht stresses the importance of
keeping food affordable, with a quarter of South African children
not receiving enough protein.


He explains that food security in the country is the worst it has
been in 10 years, with insufficient ports and railroads making it
difficult for the country to join the global supply chain.


Shoprite is trying to expand throughout Africa, but Engelbrecht
says this is difficult due to corruption, high inflation and
devaluing currencies. Despite continued success in South Africa,
the chain has closed its operations in Nigeria and Kenya.


Thank you to the World Business Report team for helping to make
this programme. The Interview brings you conversations with
people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best
interviews from the BBC. You can listen on the BBC World Service,
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Presenter: Jewel Kiriungi Producer: Bob Howard Editor: Nick
Holland


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(Image: Pieter Engelbrecht, Credit: Getty Images/Bloomberg)