Shoprite open its second outlet in Abuja on Thursday, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, as part of an aggressive expansion drive.
The store is situated in the Silverbird Entertainment Center, by Musa Yar’Adua centre, Central Business District, Abuja.
When reporters arrived at the store at 9:00 am, tenths of Nigerians were already thronging the mall as it opened its doors.
Private security guards searched vehicles and customers as they stepped in to shop.
The new venture brings to nine the number of Shoprite stores in Nigeria. A further three of the shops which sell food, goods and clothes are slated to open before the end of the year.
The Branch Manager of the store, Vivien Iberi said the company’s target was to open 44 branches in Nigeria.
While assuring customers of their safety, she called on Abuja residents to patronize the shop for quality and cheap products.
“Shoprite is known for low prices, Shoprite is known for quality products and we intend to offer our customers that service and much more.
“This is different from the first (store) because it’s in the heart of the city. It is located in a place where you come from the North, South, West and East of Abuja to shop,” said the Branch Manager.
She assured that the prices of commodity are the same with those of other branches in the country.
All the customers spoken with were excited to have the supermarket in the centre of the city.
Francis Oga said he was attracted to the shop because of the friendly price of commodities while Ugochukwu Nwobi noted that: “With Shoprite, you are sure of better quality and good price. They sell cheaper than most supermarket around.”
Another customer; Josephine Abraham said: “I’m shopping here because it is closer to my house. They have the best price for products and I will advise other people to come and shop with them.”
Shoprite has 1,800 outlets worldwide and its expansion in Nigeria is a sign of growing foreign interest in Africa’s second-biggest economy.