‘Thousands will be without jobs’ — reactions as Shoprite plans to exit Nigeria

Shoprite, Africa’s largest food retailer, has sparked a plethora of reactions on social media over its plans to exit the Nigerian market.

In a trading update filed at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) on Monday, the retail giant said it is planning to discontinue its operations in Nigeria after posting a continuous decline in sales.

“Following approaches from various potential investors, and in line with our re-evaluation of the Group’s operating model in Nigeria, the Board has decided to initiate a formal process to consider the potential sale of all, or a majority stake, in Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Shoprite International Limited,” the update read.

The news has stirred reactions from a number of Nigerians on social media platforms, especially Twitter, where they expressed their differing opinions.

“If Shoprite wants to stay, they can stay; if they want to go, they can go; it will help local supermarkets to grow,” Shehu Sani wrote.

“So Shoprite is leaving Nigeria, thousands of people will be without jobs now, other thousands depending on those people’s incomes, my new neighbour works with Shoprite in Ibadan&he has 3kids, his wife is a private school teacher and hasn’t worked in a while, so many people like that,” a Twitter user said.

“Africa’s biggest grocery retailer, Shoprite, is exiting the continent’s most populated country, Nigeria, after 15 years. The SA retailers have struggled in the Nigeria market & most recently Mr Price also exited Nigeria. Is there ease of doing business in Nigeria? Job loss again,” another user wrote.

Here is what some Nigerians had to say:

If Shoprite wants to stay,they can stay;if they want to go,they can go;it will help local supermarkets to grow.

— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) August 3, 2020

Africa's biggest grocery retailer, Shoprite, is exiting the continent's most populated country, Nigeria, after 15 years

The SA retailers have struggled in the Nigeria market & most recently Mr Price also exited Nigeria

Is there ease of doing business in Nig?

Job loss again.

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— Uncle AJ (@UNCLE_AJALA) August 3, 2020

So shoprite is leaving Nigeria,thousands of people will be without jobs now,other thousands depending on those people’s incomes,my new neighbor works with shoprite in Ibadan&he has 3kids,his wife is a private school teacher and haven’t worked in a while,so many people like that🤦‍♂️

— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) August 3, 2020

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Cost of doing business is so high in Nigeria. You provide your own power, your own water etc…

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Costs just keeps getting higher and higher.

The unfortunate thing about this Shoprite debacle is the huge loss to staff, contractors and supplier.

An unfortunate domino effect.

— Mo-Mo (@Morris_Monye) August 3, 2020

Nigeria is so bad that Even shoprite is leaving.

It’s the people who will lose their jobs I feel for.

Well if they do end up selling their stake and the new investors retain the employees should be okay.

— O.A💫 (@SeniormanOA) August 3, 2020

https://twitter.com/__Omoissy/status/1290206712041893888?s=20

https://twitter.com/SomtoSocial/status/1290203821990273024?s=20

https://twitter.com/wildeyeq/status/1290199843940347904?s=20

ShopRite leaving is proof you need that Buhari is an economic failure

Nigerians are poorer, FDI is leaving and foreign companies are closing

You don't fight poverty by closing your borders for trade

You will just create a man made inflation & worsen poverty

— William (@_SirWilliam_) August 3, 2020

https://twitter.com/Tife_fabunmi/status/1290207999143772160?s=20

Shoprite's mall-only strategy in Nigeria is faulted, and with growing competition from SuperSaver, Ebeano, D'prince, Hubmart and the rest, their market share will definitely decrease. When last did you buy anything from Shoprite?

— Slimfit (@iSlimfit) August 3, 2020

Shoprite is officially leaving Nigeria?

Ladies and gentlemen, it's high time we focused on the mini shoprite we all have on our watsapp status. Some of them might start selling Cold stone sef 😂💀

— DAMOLA 🏀⚽️ ⚾️🔞 (@holardamolar) August 3, 2020

https://twitter.com/Elcrucifixio/status/1290211670975946752?s=20