Pick n Pay becoming a ‘new company’

Pick n Pay, under the leadership of chief executive Sean Summers, is becoming a more efficient company with modern stores and streamlined operations.

Pick n Pay had a poor performance between 2009 and 2023. The company faced numerous operational challenges and even became technically insolvent.

The retailer lost significant market share against its main rival, Shoprite, and it fell behind in terms of customer experience.

The situation has reached such alarming levels that the Pick n Pay board asked former CEO Sean Summers to return to fix the mess.

Summers is a Pick n Pay stalwart who worked for the company from 1974 to 2007. He became managing director in 1996 and CEO in 1999.

Under his leadership, Pick n Pay blossomed. The retailer showed exceptional growth and it competed head-on with Shoprite.

Summers is now working to turn the company around and once again make Pick n Pay a retailer of choice for millions of South Africa.

He launched a back-to-basics strategy, which has six priorities focusing on simplicity, quality, affordability and sustainability.

The first of its six strategic priorities was to recapitalise the group. It raised R12.5 billion through a R4 billion rights offer and the Boxer listing, which raised another R8.5 billion.

The second priority is to improve like-for-like sales at its stores. Its latest results showed Pick n Pay South Africa’s like-for-like sales growing by 4.3%.

The third priority was to reset its store estate. Pick n Pay closed numerous stores with no prospect of returning to profitability, while others were converted to Boxer stores.

The fourth pillar is leadership and people. It trained staff to improve customer experience and reinstated regional leadership structures.

The fifth pillar is strengthening partnerships. It partnered with FNB e-Bucks, which has already helped attract customers across all segments.

The sixth pillar is innovation, adaptability and income diversification. Online sales growth for the latest reporting period was 34.4%.

This online sales growth was driven by continued growth of Pick n Pay asap! and Pick n Pay groceries on the Mr D app.

Pick n Pay becoming a ‘new company’

Pick n Pay has entered a new area. It has listed its subsidiary, Boxer, it is changing its store real estate, and the Ackerman family has loosened its grip on the retailer.

The Pick n Pay annual general meeting (AGM) on 5 August 2025 was the last one to be hosted by an Ackerman family member.

“This is a significant moment for me, personally, as it is my final AGM as chair of Pick n Pay,” Gareth Ackerman said in his final chairman’s address.

“FY2025 was a defining year for Pick n Pay. The successful rights offer and the Boxer listing were two of the most significant capital market events in our history.”

Ackerman added that Pick n Pay has regained momentum over the past two years and are now focused on execution.

He credited the “extraordinary leadership of Sean Summers and his team” for the progress they are seeing in turning Pick n Pay around.

The new journey will also see Pick n Pay modernise its stores to improve the customer experience and make it the retailer of choice.

In March 2025, Pick n Pay launched a new store at Westown Square that includes key features the retailer plans to use in its refreshed store format.

“The new store introduces key features that Pick n Pay is incorporating into its refreshed store format, aimed at enhancing the customer experience,” it said.

“These include an expanded fresh produce section, improved product range, and a stronger focus on convenience.”

Summers said they have implemented several improvements in the Westown store that Pick n Pay is already rolling out as part of its targeted store revitalisation programme.

“These features are designed around freshness and our fresh produce areas, the variety offered to customers, and customer convenience at its core,” Summers said.

“We have made enormous progress on resetting our store estate, which is fast, resulting in a much more efficient and customer-focused estate.”

“The bulk of the estate reorganisation is behind us, and we are now accelerating store revitalisation and opening strategically located new stores.”

To promote its rival, Pick n Pay has also signed a four-year contract as a Tier 1 sponsor of SA Rugby, with the company’s logo set to feature in gold on the back of the Springbok jersey.

“This sponsorship is about more than just a logo on a jersey. It’s about celebrating the values that unite us as South Africans,” Summers said.

“The Springboks are a symbol of unity, and for decades, Pick n Pay has been a trusted partner in homes and communities, always backing South Africans through great value.”

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Photos of the new Pick n Pay store format

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Pick n Pay Springbok sponsorship

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