ZANU PF MP Raj Modi, through his retail chain Sai Mart, has successfully acquired all former Choppies Zimbabwe outlets across the country and is currently undertaking a rebranding exercise.
The Botswana-headquartered Choppies chain entered the Zimbabwean market in 2013 by acquiring several Spar shops and expanding its presence in 2014 with a distribution centre in the country.
Choppies operated 30 grocery stores nationwide under its subsidiary, Nanavac (Pty) Ltd, trading as Choppies Zimbabwe. However, the retailer recently exited the Zimbabwean market, citing a strategic decision to focus on sustainable growth and profitability across its regional operations.
In an interview with the Chronicle, Modi, who is also the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, said that all former Choppies outlets have been restocked and are now part of the Sai Mart chain. He said:
<blockquote>
We acquired all the Choppies outlets, not only in Bulawayo but nationwide. We bought everything from Choppies and retained all the workers, about 1 100 and something.
We have already started rebranding; we began with the ones in downtown and those in the suburbs. As soon as we finish here in Bulawayo, we will move on to Gweru, then Gokwe, Mutare and finally Harare.
</blockquote>
Modi said that by the end of last year, Choppies had cleared its stock. He added that all the outlets have now been restocked.
More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/modi-takes-over-choppies-outlets-retains-all-1-100-workers/">Chronicle</a>

Pindula News

Sai Mart, owned by ZANU PF MP Raj Modi, has bought all former Choppies stores in Zimbabwe and is rebranding them. Choppies entered Zimbabwe in 2013 but recently left to focus on other regions. Modi kept all workers and restocked the stores. The rebranding started in Bulawayo and will continue in other cities. Modi said they finished restocking by the end of last year. Now, all former Choppies stores are part of Sai Mart chain.

Sai Mart Takes Over All Former Choppies Zimbabwe Stores

Residents of New Lobengula in Bulawayo intervened to stop an armed robbery at Sai Mart on Saturday evening, throwing stones at the robbers and causing them to flee empty-handed.
The armed robbers entered the Sai Mart outlet, formerly Choppies, around 8 PM and fired shots, injuring a shop employee with a gunshot wound to the thigh. In response to the gunfire, the community confronted the armed robbers, forcing them to flee.
Emmanuel Mutoko, a resident, narrated to the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/residents-stone-armed-robbers-shop-manager-shot-mob-steps-in-to-help/">Chronicle</a> how he scaled a nearby precast wall and hid in a neighbour’s yard as bullets flew in different directions.
The robbers fired indiscriminately at the crowd of residents attempting to stop the robbery. Said Mutoko:
<blockquote>
The shop closes at 8 PM, and as staff were leaving, there was a commotion as some men forced their way inside. One of them, who seemed to be watching the place from outside, started shooting randomly.
Residents gathered around the shop and began throwing stones, and he fired a few more shots. I jumped over a perimeter wall and hid next door because I was scared of being hit by a stray bullet.
</blockquote>
Mutoko said the robbers exploited a malfunctioning tower light to escape into the darkness after realising the residents were determined to stop them. He added:
<blockquote>
It all happened within a few minutes, and then the robbers were gone. No one chased them. That’s when we heard that the manager had been shot inside the shop.
</blockquote>
The acting spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed the incident. She said:
<blockquote>
Police in Bulawayo are investigating a case of attempted robbery and attempted murder that occurred on February 1, 2025, in New Lobengula, Bulawayo.
At approximately 8:10 PM, a brazen attempted robbery and attempted murder occurred at Choppies (now Sai Mart), where a 59-year-old male complainant, a resident of Cowdray Park, sustained serious injuries.
The complainant (the shop manager) was reconciling invoices in his office while the rest of the staff were clocking out.
As the complainant was about to open the door for the staff to leave, three suspects emerged from their hiding place near the shop.
The first suspect fired a single shot, causing some workers to scatter and others to seek refuge at the back of the shop.
The second suspect fired two shots from the exit door, attempting to intimidate the crowd of onlookers.
</blockquote>
One of the suspects forced the manager into the strong room and demanded that he open the safe.
When the manager said he didn’t have the keys, the suspect shot him in both thighs. Said Msebele:
<blockquote>
As more people joined the crowd outside the shop and began pelting the suspects with stones, the armed robbers panicked and abandoned their attempt to rob the store. They left the scene empty-handed.
</blockquote>
She urged anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact their nearest police station.
Msebele also encouraged business owners to hire security guards from reputable companies to protect their employees and property from criminal activity.

Residents in Bulawayo stopped armed robbers at a shop by throwing stones. The robbers shot at a shop worker, but the community made them run away. The police are investigating the incident. The robbers tried to steal from the shop manager but left empty-handed. The police want any information about the suspects. They also advise businesses to have security guards for safety. The people in the community showed courage and teamwork to protect each other.

Armed With Stones, Residents Drive Away Gun-Toting Robbers At Sai Mart In Bulawayo

Retail chain Sai Mart will take over control of Choppies Zimbabwe outlets starting January 1, following Choppies Enterprises Limited’s announcement to exit the Zimbabwean market.
Sai Mart, owned by legislator and Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Raj Modi, currently operates six branches in Bulawayo.
During a media briefing in Bulawayo on Thursday, December 19, Modi confirmed that Choppies supermarkets will be rebranded as Sai Mart in the coming weeks. He said (via <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/modi-acquires-choppies/">Chronicle</a>):
<blockquote>
As of January 1, 2025, we will take over Choppies Zimbabwe outlets, and they will be rebranded as Sai Mart.
</blockquote>
However, Modi did not specify whether the acquisition includes all Choppies outlets nationwide or only those in Bulawayo.
Choppies entered the Zimbabwean market in 2013 by acquiring several Spar shops and expanded its footprint in 2014 by opening a distribution centre in the country.
The retailer currently operates 30 grocery stores nationwide under its subsidiary, Nanavac (Pty) Ltd, trading as Choppies Zimbabwe.
On November 29, 2024, Choppies announced its plans to sell its Zimbabwean operations. In a notice issued to the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE), Choppies highlighted the shift in Zimbabwe’s retail landscape over the past two years, with a growing trend towards informal retail activities.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Raj Modi, who owns Sai Mart, will take over Choppies supermarkets in Zimbabwe starting January 1. Choppies decided to leave the Zimbabwean market. Choppies has 30 stores in Zimbabwe but it's not clear if all will be taken over by Sai Mart. Choppies entered Zimbabwe in 2013 and expanded in 2014. They decided to sell their Zimbabwe operations because of changing trends in retail. Modi confirmed the takeover during a media briefing in Bulawayo on December 19. The Choppies stores will be renamed Sai Mart.

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