Business
Pick n Pay launches first new-look Hypermarket in Pietermaritzburg as part of SA reset
A new era for Pick n Pay
Shoppers in Pietermaritzburg are the first in South Africa to see Pick n Pay’s new-look Hypermarket format. The retailer has transformed its Midlands Liberty Mall supermarket into a flagship Hypermarket, part of a bigger reset aimed at pulling the group back to profitability.
This is not just a cosmetic makeover. The company says the Hypermarket format is central to its turnaround plan, designed to deliver more value, greater variety, and a one-stop experience.
Why Pietermaritzburg?
Pick n Pay chose to upgrade the Liberty Mall store after reviewing local shopping patterns and community needs. The new Hypermarket is geared to serve not only Midlands residents but also customers across KwaZulu-Natal.
Inside, shoppers will find far more than groceries. The expanded general merchandise section includes tech gadgets, appliances, DIY and outdoor essentials, toys, homeware, and storage solutions. Food lovers can explore a gourmet butchery, a biltong bar, frozen meats, and a ‘Grab & Go’ counter with meals like boerewors rolls and burgers.
Part of a national reset
The Pietermaritzburg Hypermarket is the first of several store conversions scheduled in 2025. New Hypermarkets are planned for Klerksdorp, Ottery, and Longbeach in the coming months.
Pick n Pay CEO Sean Summers has been upfront about shifting away from size for its own sake. The retailer closed or converted underperforming stores last year, with 15 Pick n Pay branches switching to the Boxer brand and some loss-making outlets shutting their doors. As of March 2025, the group counted 570 supermarkets and 21 Hypermarkets.
Summers has stressed that success now lies in quality over quantity. By refocusing on higher-margin formats like the Hypermarket, the group hopes to rebuild profit while still improving the customer experience with better product ranges and sharper services.
A shifting retail landscape
Pick n Pay’s strategy comes at a time when local and international retailers are adjusting their playbooks. SPAR has pulled back from Europe to concentrate on South Africa, Woolworths scaled down its Australian ambitions, and even Shoprite has reined in its African expansion to double down at home.
Adding more pressure, Walmart has announced it will launch its first branded stores in South Africa. Although Walmart already operates locally through Massmart’s Game and Makro chains, its direct entry signals fiercer competition in the retail arena.
What it means for shoppers
For ordinary customers, these changes mean more choice in fewer but better stores. Hypermarkets like the one in Pietermaritzburg are designed to bring together groceries, tech, homeware, and ready-to-eat meals under a single roof. The format aims to make weekly shopping trips simpler while still offering competitive value.
Whether Pick n Pay’s bold reset will turn its fortunes around remains to be seen, but for now, customers in KwaZulu-Natal are at the forefront of a national retail experiment.
Also read: Discovery Bank Eyes R3 Billion Profit with AI and WhatsApp Services
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Source: Business Tech
Featured Image: BusinessLIVE
