Shoprite, Boxer, and Pep thriving in South Africa’s R1 trillion hidden economy

Shoprite's forays into the South Africa township and rural economy have yielded significant returns, with the retailer's innovative Shoprite Cash & Carry and e-commerce platforms proving a hit with spazas and spazarettes. The estimated R1 trillion value of this hidden economy presents a vast and lucrative market for companies willing to invest, with Shoprite poised to capitalize on this opportunity. In contrast, a recent misstep by rival Pick n Pay's Ekuseni strategy serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of navigating this complex and competitive space.