operates in the retail sector of the subSaharan African market. At present, the group operates in eight Sothern African countries (Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Namibia) and continues its expansion into new, as well as underserviced areas in the existing markets. The group is managed by a team of over 300 professionals who has extensive expertise and experience in the retail industry. At present, the group has over 250 stores across the southern African region. In 1986, Choppies commenced its operations with a single store in Botswana. Over the past 33 years, Choppies has grown as a home brand in Botswana and spread its wings into seven other African nations and has become a significant retailer represented in the sub-Saharan African market. The Choppies group, managed through its Botswana and the rest of Africa divisions, is a food and general merchandise retailer, selling a vast range of products at a great value. The company always put customers at the heart of our business and treats them with great respect. Over 50% of Batswana shop regularly in our stores and we have some of the most loyal customers in the country. Choppies operates mainly in three retail formats- Hyper stores, Super Stores and Value Stores. The retail chin offers to customers mainly focuses on food and nonedible groceries, clothing, tobacco, beauty products and general merchandise. The offer also includes additional value added services such as financial transactions at the till points. In additions to manufacturerbranded products, Choppies has a number of its private label products to suit every budget. About Ramachandran Ram joined Choppies in 1992 and has been heading operations since 2000. He has been instrumental in the significant growth of Choppies in Botswana and its expansion into South Africa. Ram has over 25 years’ experience in the retail industry both in finance and operations, and further experience in other industries such as manufacturing, packaging, milling, real estate development and medical distribution. Ram is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and fellow member of the Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants. Company Profile Choppies is the leading supermarket chain in Africa. The supermarket retail offering includes leading international food brands and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) products as well as Choppies’ own private label for value-minded consumers. Choppies at a glance • The largest, most profitable and fastest growing grocery retailer in Africa, outside of South Africa • Operating 124 stores and 7 distribution centres in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe • The leading supermarket chain in Botswana and growing rapidly and profitably in South Africa and Zimbabwe • Well positioned to achieve its target of over 200 stores across six countries by December 2016 Listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange with a current market cap of over BWP4.9 billion (ZAR 6.1 billion). Botswana headquartered Choppies Enterprises Ltd is an investment holding company listed on both Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Choppies group The group will soon be launching its online business which will give the customers the opportunity to shop from their homes and have their order delivered to their doors in a fixed time slots. The group has developed centralized distribution channels (CDC), in Botswana and South Africa and Zimbabwe with a strategic focus on accelerating the level of central supply in its business. At present, supply in Botswana is 60% centralized, while in South Africa and Zimbabwe it is 80%, 50% respectively. The group operates 5 distribution centres across the eight countries catering for groceries, fresh and perishable produce. With over 17,000 staff members, the Choppies Group is a significant employment generator in the retail sector in Africa. The Group will continue to address the socio-economic challenges faced by the communities it serves through the supply of high-quality, affordable food for all customers while providing significant employment and economic opportunities across its value chain. CEO Today Af r i ca Award s 2021 - Bo t swana - RamachandranOttapathu CEO of Choppies Group Limited www.choppiesgroup.com - 45 -
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