South African retail giant Shoprite is confronting serious difficulties in Nigeria, with several stores in Ilorin and Ibadan shutting down while outlets in Lagos and Abuja struggle with empty shelves and low customer turnout as of September 2025.
The stores in Ilorin, capital of Kwara State, and in Ibadan’s Ring Road and Mokola areas have ceased operations, leaving customers puzzled. The Ilorin location, once a popular weekend shopping spot, experienced a steady decline in visitors and sales over recent months before finally closing.
Meanwhile, the Lagos Ikeja City Mall branch, historically the busiest supermarket in Nigeria, now displays dwindling inventory and thin crowds. Although rumors about Shoprite’s wholesale exit from the Nigerian market swirl, management at Ikeja assures the public that the retailer intends to continue operating.
Supply chain disruptions linked to a change in leadership explain much of the difficulty. Store administrator Oluwatosin stated that the new team is actively engaging with vendors and suppliers to renegotiate pricing and improve stock availability.
Since entering Lagos in 2005, Shoprite rapidly grew to become a dominant supermarket chain with over 25 locations and provided employment for more than 2,000 Nigerians. The retailer played a pivotal role in supporting local agriculture supply and changing urban shopping trends. However, challenges including inflation, currency instability, rising rental costs, and stiff competition from indigenous supermarkets and digital marketplaces have taken their toll.
The previous South African ownership exited in 2020, selling the business to Nigerian investors led by Tayo Amusan’s Ketron Group. Recovery since has been slow, with persistent hurdles. Financial records from mid-2020 indicated Shoprite Nigeria was under strain, with assets at $125 million shadowed by $140 million in liabilities, compounded by tightened consumer spending due to escalating inflation.
Major companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Procter & Gamble, Sanofi, and Bolt Food have cited the adverse business environment as reasons for withdrawal.
Economic analysts caution that unless Nigeria’s investment landscape improves, more corporations might withdraw, further impacting the economy.
For now, patrons navigating the near-empty aisles of Shoprite stores are left questioning if the brand can reclaim its once commanding position or become another casualty of Nigeria’s challenging commercial terrain.
Leave a comment