South Africa’s largest grocery retailer, Shoprite Holdings, said it expects half-year profit to rise by as much as 10.2%, reflecting steady sales growth across its food retail operations. The outlook was outlined in a trading update covering the six months ended December 28, as disclosed by the company and reported by Reuters.
Shoprite said headline earnings per share from continuing operations are forecast to increase between 5.2% and 10.2%, compared with a restated 659.8 cents in the previous period. The company also reported a 7.2% rise in sales during the half-year, underscoring resilient consumer demand despite pressure on household spending, The Herald noted.
Management attributed the expected earnings growth to strong performance across its core supermarket brands, supported by pricing discipline, improved supply chain efficiency and continued store expansion. Analysts say the retailer has benefited from its scale and value-focused offering, which has helped sustain volumes in a challenging economic environment.
Shoprite’s update reinforces its position as a dominant player in South Africa’s retail sector, with consistent trading momentum providing a stable platform heading into the second half of its financial year. Market observers say the company’s focus on affordability and operational efficiency continues to underpin earnings growth.
