Shoprite Set To Leave Nigeria After 15 Years, Nigerians React

The interior of Shoprite, Ikeja Mall, Lagos

Shoprite is exiting Nigeria after 15 years of being a part of Africa’s most populated country.

The South African based retailer has reportedly begun the formal process of considering the potential sale of all or majority stake in its supermarkets in Nigeria.

The development was made known in a trading statement released on Monday, August 3, 2020.

South African retailers have struggled in the Nigerian market for years and recently Mr Price has exited the market after Woolworths did the same six years ago.

In the statement released, Shoprite revealed that the results for the year do not reflect any of their operations in Nigeria as it will be classified as a discontinued operation.

Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, customer visits to the retailer dropped by 7.4% as the average basket spend increased by 18.4%.

Twitter users have reacted to the news, with majority of them lamenting the implications of such a move. See their reactions below.

https://twitter.com/ayemojubar/status/1290199125242212353

https://twitter.com/MaziJohnBosko/status/1290198532184408065

Shoprite leaving Nigeria? Unto the NEXT one. pic.twitter.com/Om5ezs2H4x

— Theo (@Del_Arth) August 3, 2020

ShopRite leaving Nigeria is a huge red flag. It's not an "opportunity" for wealthier Nigerians to buy the franchise. Who will they sell to? The same customers with low purchasing power in an anti-capitalist economy that is making ShopRite leave in the first place?

— josué (@joshnekoff) August 3, 2020

Buhari's media handlers will soon come out and tell us how shoprite was corrupt and people in the past administration were using it to launder money hence the closure.

— Mighty K (@Kumatorr) August 3, 2020

https://twitter.com/danielbalogun3/status/1290199127280713728

Imagine the thousands of Nigerians that'll be rendered jobless when shoprite eventually leaves☹️

— Vannnniiiieeee_???? (@Evans_Bjnr) August 3, 2020

Imagine the amount jobs that would be lost and and the effect of our economy only by shoprite leaving Nigeria…

I feel pained honestly…

Just imagine the chain of businesses that would suffer from this.
Can they reverse their decision? pic.twitter.com/C7QJqyp2Fa

— Nonso (@Nonso_opinion) August 3, 2020

There’s Ebeano, hubmart, and so many other supermarkets have cropped up.
Adieu Shoprite.

— Bunny baby ???????? (@Bubble_minakie) August 3, 2020

This Nigeria ehn…they will sha kill your dreams somehow. They will strangle, suffocate any good thing. They killed Opay…now shoprite.

Lots of people are going to lose jobs now#ShopRite

— Collins Pius (@OmogbethaiPius) August 3, 2020

https://twitter.com/kinqqkudos/status/1290198176918433792

Shoprite leaving Nigeria? Not surprised at this point. This Government is set out to kill everything positive left in the country.

— Fego (@JayRomee_) August 3, 2020

https://twitter.com/ij_kush/status/1290199636939079680

Na small small, the country dey spoil dey go.
Get out while u can.
Shoprite dem smart.

— Hordarphey (@hordarphey) August 3, 2020

Shoprite about to leave!

I’m short of words , we should all put on sackclothes and ashes , this administration has ruined us

And be ready for a spin before the end of the day from clowns

— Jake (@Hitee_) August 3, 2020