A source very close to Shoprite has insisted that owners of the organisation have concluded their deals with Nigeria adding that it only played on word when it said the it will not close shops in Nigeria.
Earlier today, news circulated that the operators of the company was planning to exit the country having sold a major stake of the company to a Nigerian investor.
Reacting to the news, the retail firm clarified that it is not and cannot leave West Africa largest country.
The Country Director for Chastex Consult, Ini Archibong, told Vanguard that “Shoprite is not leaving Nigeria.
“We have only just opened to Nigerian investors which we have also been talking to just before now. We are not leaving, who leaves over a $30billion investment and close shop? It doesn’t sound right.
“We only gave this opportunity to Nigeria investors to come in and also help drive our expansion plan in Nigeria. So we are not leaving.
“I have tried to say this to many people as I can. There should be no panic at all and all of that. There is no truth in that report.”
But our source said that arrangement of exit had already been concluded and a Nigerian is already planning to take over.
“Saying that it is not leaving Nigeria but giving opportunity to Nigerian investors to come in is pure semantics. The owners could not bear the heat of COVID-19 any longer, as a matter of fact, they have packed their bags and will leave anytime”.
