Retail giant continues to grow, eyes record-breaking year
For most of us, turning 50 would be a time to start slowing down, putting our feet up more often and taking life a little easier.
Sefalana Group, however, have other ideas.
2024 is set to be an extremely busy, productive year for the wholesaler, which plans to celebrate its golden jubilee in grand style by opening a record 10 stores before the end of the year.
The ambitious expansion drive is off to a good start, with new Sefalana Shoppers stores established in Gaborone’s Broadhurst and Commerce Park locations.
Speaking at the official opening of the Commerce Park store on Friday, Sefalana Group Managing Director, Chandra Chauhan said he was confident they would meet their target and have another eight stores up-and-running this year.
“We have a lot of work to do in terms of opening more outlets this year. We are the leading retailer locally therefore it is in our interest to expand further. The most interesting thing about our new stores is that they are always better than the previous ones in terms of fittings and space. In the history of Sefalana we have never opened ten stores in a year so this means a lot to us and it’s a commitment we made which we will deliver on,” assured Chauhan.
Outlets are expected to be opened in Kang, Letlhakane and Jwaneng amongst others.
With their Botswana empire currently standing at 93 stores, if they achieve their 2024 ambition, Sefalana would breach the magical 100 mark in the process.
The growth is not restricted to BW, with the Group eyeing nine new Metro stores in Namibia.
Since embarking on its regional expansion, which started with a single outlet in Katima Mollie in the Caprivi Strip in December 2013, Sefalana have been extremely active in Namibia, where there footprint now extends to 24 stores.
The Group, which employs close to 6, 900 people, also maintains a presence in Lesotho, a market it entered in November 2016, with four stores.
Sefalana’s shadow even extends beyond Africa, stretching all the way to Australia, where it enjoys a 40 percent stake in the Brisbane-based Seasons Group. On the rise Down Under, they currently have 11 stores in Oz.
Best known for its progress in the retail sector, Sefalana has grown into a multinational group with diversified business segments which include: manufacturing, wholesaling, fresh produce, distribution, automotive, property and financial services.
The wholesaler also has the proud history of being the first company to list its shares on the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) back in 1975.