Ackerman family’s Pick n Pay opens first hypermarket at Liberty Midlands Mall

Pick ‘n Pay, one of South Africa’s leading retailers and partly owned by the Ackerman family, opened its first hypermarket in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday after converting its Supermarket at Liberty Midlands Mall into a full-scale store. 

The revamped store is designed as a one-stop hub, offering an expanded mix of groceries, household goods, electronics and outdoor items for shoppers in Pietermaritzburg and across KwaZulu-Natal. It marks the company’s first major store conversion of the year, with additional Hypermarket openings planned in Klerksdorp, Ottery and Longbeach in the coming months.

“This isn’t just a store upgrade, it’s a game-changer for Pietermaritzburg shoppers,” said Katherine Madley, the company’s chief marketing officer. “Our Hypermarket format is designed around the evolving needs of local shoppers. Whether you’re buying fresh produce, tech gadgets or outdoor furniture — you’ll find it all under one roof.”

Part of turnaround strategy

The opening forms part of Pick n Pay’s turnaround plan, which includes revamping existing outlets, closing weaker stores and introducing new formats. Chief Executive Officer Sean Summers said the company is prioritizing quality and profitability over sheer size. 

“We’re moving away from scale for its own sake, focusing instead on a smaller, more profitable, higher-quality store base,” Summers said. “At the same time, we’re sharpening our product mix, improving services and deepening customer engagement.” 

The Hypermarket features an expanded general merchandise section including appliances, DIY tools, garden products, toys and kitchenware. The food offering has also been enhanced, with a gourmet butchery, frozen meats, a biltong bar and a ‘Grab & Go’ counter with hot meals such as burgers and boerie rolls.

Shoppers can also find bulk grocery items, cleaning products, sweets, catering supplies and pet care. Store manager Zoobeida Abdul, who oversees nearly 90 staff, said the aim is to make everyday shopping “easier, more exciting and more rewarding.”

National expansion underway 

Pick n Pay remains South Africa’s second-largest grocery chain after Shoprite, with more than 2,000 stores across eight African countries.  The Ackerman family, which holds about 25.5 percent of the company, remains a key shareholder even after stepping back from direct control in August following a $171 million loss that led to leadership changes. 

As part of cost-cutting efforts, Pick n Pay said it would close its Fourways branch while Accelerate sold off malls to reduce debt.  Earlier in June, the group streamlined operations by shutting 40 underperforming stores. The measures, combined with growth at its Boxer chain, helped cut its full-year loss by nearly 77.7 percent to $42.4 million.