Shoprite Workers Embark on Nationwide Strike

Shoprite Workers Embark on Nationwide Strike

Workers of retail giant, Shoprite have embarked on nationwide industrial strike action. This has resulted in the shutting down of all its outlets in Nigeria.

The workers embarked on a nationwide strike action demanding proper information on staff benefits as well as terms of sale to interested investors who are on course to acquire the Nigerian subsidiary of the South African retail outlet.

A report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) suggests that all 25 outlets of Shoprite in Nigeria have been shut down by workers.

The report revealed further that the workers embarked on industrial action over claims of sale of the retail company to Palms Mall owners, Tayo Amusan and Persianas Properties Limited, without appropriate information on the terms of the acquisition, and the impact of it on their contracts.

The nationwide strike action which has seen 25 outlets of the retail brand closed on Wednesday is said to have flared up due to inappropriate treatment of the company’s workers and issues related to the terms of their contract papers as many of them were to work with Shoprite South Africa until between 2035 and 2040.

Shoprite Workers Embark on Nationwide Strike
Shoprite Workers Embark on Nationwide Strike

Earlier on Tuesday in Delta State, staff numbering over 20 blocked the entrance of Shoprite’s outlet in Delta Mall, Effurun, Uvwie council area of the state.

With placards pasted on dozens of trolleys jammed together and arranged across the entrance, as well as others on the glass doors of the supermarket, the staff demanded for their “right”.

Some of the placards had inscriptions such as “Together we move, give us our right,” We are not slaves,” 5 to 10 years, without promotion and you want to leave us and runaway? Ex-Gratia/Payoff is our stand,” We want to hear positively from the general manager on the proposal he asked us to submit,” GM sorosoke Can’t sell Shoprite and sell us”.

A staff of Shoprite who spoke with The Nation briefly, said they are “demanding payoff as the company leaves Nigeria”.

He said only the general staff, below the management cadre were protesting, adding that until the management address the issue, the place will remain shut.


Efforts to speak with the company’s management as of the time of filing this report, was unsuccessful.

Recall that an uproar had greeted the news that the South African company was pulling out of Nigeria last August.

The company had said the decision was reached due to the effects of the Coronavirus lockdown restrictions and increase in inflation.

Shoprite Workers Embark on Nationwide Strike

What you should know

  • Recall that the South African retailer, Shoprite International Limited in August of 2020 laid bare plans to discontinue its operations in Nigeria, and as a result, resolved to sell-off majority of its stakes in the retail units in order to focus more on core operations and investment in Southern Africa.
  • The decision was taken at the back of the poor performance of the subsidiary driven by government policies such as border closures and tight competition from players like Spar, Justrite, Ebeano, Addide.
  • The report revealed that Tayo Amusan, a property developer and the promoter of the Palms Mall owned by Persianas Properties Limited is in talks with Shoprite to facilitate the acquisition of the leading retail company.
  • With a Nigerian company attempting a takeover from the South African retailer later this year, the staff of the retail unit have demanded to be paid off rather than run the risk of being dismissed under new management.
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