Pepkor Expands Retail Footprint with R1.7 Billion Acquisition, Adding 469 Stores Across Southern Africa

Prime Highlights:

Pepkor strengthens its retail footprint by acquiring 469 stores from Retailability for R1.7 billion, bringing its total store count across Southern Africa to over 1,000.

The acquisition supports Pepkor’s strategy to improve efficiency, enhance customer experience, and expand its retail ecosystem.

Key Facts:

The deal includes 337 stores in South Africa and 132 stores across Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and Eswatini.

Effective November 2, 2025, the deal was finalized in cash, signaling Pepkor’s long-term growth confidence.

Background

Pepkor, South Africa’s biggest clothing retailer, has expanded its store network with the acquisition of 469 stores from Retailability in a deal worth R1.7 billion. The purchase, equal to about 1.7% of Pepkor’s market value, pushes the company’s total store count to over 1,000 locations across Southern Africa.

The new stores include 337 outlets in South Africa and 132 in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and Eswatini (BLNE countries). All necessary approvals have been received, and the transaction became effective on November 2, 2025. The deal will be settled in cash and supports Pepkor’s goal to strengthen its retail ecosystem and improve efficiency.

“We are entering an exciting new chapter for these businesses under Pepkor’s guidance,” said Tyrone Vieira, CEO of Pepkor Emerging Businesses. “By bringing them into the Pepkor Speciality division, we aim to build on their strengths and deliver enhanced value to our customers.”

The move comes as South Africa faces economic challenges, including trade tensions, currency pressure, and power shortages. Pepkor’s expansion shows that it believes in the country’s long-term retail growth.

The deal also lets Pepkor grow services like financial products, loyalty programs, and supply chain improvements. By expanding its reach, Pepkor wants to make its brands easier for customers to access and improve their experience.

Industry experts say this acquisition shows that South Africa’s retail sector is stable and resilient. They believe Pepkor is well-positioned to keep its market leadership and drive steady growth in the region.