By Dylan Bettencourt
- Shoprite has opened 80 ChicRite counters inside its supermarkets, offering shoppers chicken and chips while they do their groceries across South Africa.
- The retailer says ChicRite is about convenience, not competition, and it won’t open standalone stores.
Shoprite shoppers are grabbing more than just groceries – they’re also getting hot chicken and chips from the retailer’s growing fast-food brand, ChicRite.
The supermarket group has quietly rolled out 80 ChicRite outlets inside its stores over the past two and a half years. Each counter is small but busy, serving around 25 menu items.
Shoprite says ChicRite isn’t meant to take on KFC or other big fast-food chains. Instead, it’s about giving customers more convenience.
“It’s about convenience and using our existing store infrastructure where it makes sense,” the group told News24. “When customers come and do their groceries, they can also grab a bite to eat.”
Chicken and chips are the most popular sellers. Shoprite says chicken is the perfect choice because it’s South Africa’s favourite and most affordable source of protein.
While groceries remain its main business, Shoprite has been expanding quickly into other areas. It now runs pharmacies through Medirite, pet shops under Petshop Science, clothing stores through UNIQ, and even outdoor gear with the Checkers Outdoors brand.
The retailer, valued at about R175-billion on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, says it won’t rush to open more ChicRite outlets. New counters will only appear in stores where there’s enough space and clear demand from shoppers.
Pictured above: ChicRite.
Image source: @KasiEconomy
