Four years after its South African owners exited, Shoprite is struggling to remain afloat in Nigeria. Stores in Ilorin and Ibadan are shut, while branches in Lagos and Abuja face empty shelves and thinning customer traffic.
Once Nigeria’s retail giant with over 25 outlets, Shoprite reshaped urban shopping culture after its 2005 launch. But inflation, forex volatility, rising rents, and stiff competition have eroded its grip. Since local investors took over in 2020, recovery has been slow and uncertain.
At Abuja’s Jabi Lake Mall, shortages have lasted for months, leaving staff worried about job cuts. Management has promised restocking after a financial audit, but doubts remain.
Shoprite’s decline reflects a wider exodus of global firms from Nigeria, including GSK, Procter & Gamble, and Sanofi, all citing tough business conditions. Shoppers now wonder if Shoprite can reclaim its dominance or fade into the growing list of corporate casualties.
