Africa’s Biggest Supermarket Chains ‘Pick N Pay’ Founder Dies

Raymond Ackerman, the founder of Pick n Pay, one of South Africa’s largest supermarket chains, has passed away at the age of 92. He and his wife Wendy started Pick n Pay in 1967 by purchasing four stores in Cape Town. 

Over the years, the company has grown to serve millions of customers through its 2,000 stores in South Africa and seven other African countries. 

Ackerman was known for his fight against price regulations that forced people to pay more for groceries. 

In 1986, Pick n Pay challenged the government’s coupon scheme in court, which gave customers grocery discounts with fuel purchases. Despite losing the case 26 times, Ackerman continued to advocate for fair pricing. 

He was also a committed philanthropist and established the Raymond Ackerman Academy for Entrepreneurial Development in 2004, which later joined forces with the University of Johannesburg. 

The academy has produced 400 graduates who are now employed. Ackerman received seven honorary doctorates for his contributions to business and society. 

After retiring from the board in 2010, Ackerman and his wife became Honorary Life Presidents of Pick n Pay. He remained actively involved in the company and his philanthropic endeavors. Ackerman is survived by his wife Wendy, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Pick n Pay described Ackerman as a visionary entrepreneur, humanitarian, and a great South African. Despite retiring in 2010, Ackerman remained involved in Pick n Pay and continued his philanthropy work.

Keep Reading

• Breaking: After 15 years shoprite exits Nigeria
• Business: As lockdown fuels food shortages, Africa goes online for groceries

Raymond Ackerman’s passing has been met with mixed reactions. Some mourn his death and acknowledge his contributions to the retail industry, while others criticize him for paying his employees minimum wage despite his wealth. 

Many people express condolences to the Ackerman family and share their personal experiences with Pick n Pay.

Pick n Pay is a South African retail company that operates supermarkets, hypermarkets, food stores, clothing stores, and liquor stores. 

It is the largest retailer in South Africa, with a market share of 16%. Pick n Pay also has a presence in Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Swaziland, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe.

The main function of Pick n Pay is to provide people with a convenient and affordable place to buy groceries, clothing, and other goods. 

The company offers a wide variety of products, including fresh produce, meat, dairy, baked goods, frozen foods, household items, and clothing. 

Pick n Pay also has a number of value-added services, such as a loyalty program, online shopping, and home delivery.

Pick n Pay plays an important role in the South African economy. The company employs over 140,000 people and contributes billions of rands to the national GDP. Pick n Pay also supports a number of community initiatives, such as food banks and educational programs.