Shoprite is facing turbulent times in Nigeria as it struggles to remain in business four years after its former South African owner exited the country’s retail sector.

Once the dominant player in Nigeria’s supermarket space, Shoprite is now losing its grip amid intense competition, with several outlets reportedly empty and at risk of closure.

As of this report, its Ilorin and Ibadan branches have already been shut down, while visits to other locations revealed largely empty shelves and low customer traffic.

Shoprite, a subsidiary of South Africa’s Shoprite Holdings headquartered in Brackenfell, Cape Town, helped popularize modern retail shopping in Nigeria, directly employing over 2,000 workers and supporting local farmers and suppliers.

However, persistent supply chain issues, rising inflation, and mounting losses have severely impacted the business, forcing the company to focus on its home market and shift to a franchise model.

In line with this decision, Shoprite has exited operations in several African countries — including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Uganda.

After 16 years in Nigeria, the company sold its operations to a group of local investors, citing unfavorable market conditions as the reason for its exit.