Botswana Retail Tycoon Ramachandran Ottapathu's Choppies Sells Zimbabwe Unit To Local Retailer

Choppies Enterprises, a Gaborone-based supermarket chain led by Botswana retail tycoon Ramachandran Ottapathu, has officially exited Zimbabwe after finalizing the sale of its 30-grocery stores managed under its wholly-owned subsidiary, Nanavac Pty Ltd, to Sai Mart, a local retail chain owned by Bulawayo-based businessman Raj Modi.

The move marks a strategic retreat from Zimbabwe, a market where Choppies had operated since 2013. The retailer cited a challenging business environment and a shift in consumer behaviorcharacterized by increasing reliance on the informal retail sectoras key factors behind the decision.

Choppies entered Zimbabwe through the acquisition of several Spar supermarkets and expanded rapidly, establishing 30 stores under its local subsidiary, Nanavac Pty Ltd. However, in recent years, Zimbabwes formal retail sector has struggled as economic instability, rising inflation, and a shift toward informal trading have eroded customer traffic.

With formal retailers seeing a 30 percent decline in foot traffic, Choppies struggled to maintain profitability, leading to its decision in November 2024 to divest from the market. The exit is part of a broader regional consolidation strategy, allowing Choppies to focus on more profitable markets such as Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia.

For Sai Mart, the acquisition represents a significant expansion. Previously operating six stores in Bulawayo and two in Plumtree, the company now has a national footprint of 30 locations, with a major rebranding initiative already underway.