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Choppies Group Zimbabwe board chairman Ambassador Phelekezela Mphoko cuts a ribbon to officially open Choppies Pumula East while the director, Siqokoqela Mphoko, looks on in Bulawayo yesterday

Charity Ruzvidzo Business Reporter
BULAWAYO’s dominant retail chain, Choppies Zimbabwe, says it has engaged small-scale businesses to supply its outlets with certain goods in a move aimed at enhancing growth of indigenous entrepreneurs.The giant retail firm opened its 15th branch in Pumula East during a brief function attended by the company’s director Siqokoqela Mphoko.

The new branch has created 32 jobs for local residents, bringing the workforce for the 15 outlets to 1,304 workers. “We’ve been engaging small-scale companies to sell us their products, which are later branded for us by National Foods. For instance, we’ve  peanut butter, rice and kapenta from small businesses. We also have bread from small bakeries that were not recognised like Tripple Fresh and Oceans,” he said.

Mphoko said security at the retain chain’s supermarkets was being provided by indigenous companies like Shield Security, a Bulawayo-based company.

“We’re happy to create employment in the country. This branch will have 32 workers, thereby increasing our workforce to 1,304 workers. We employed people from this suburb so that locals benefit from opening of the new branch,” he said.

Choppies Zimbabwe board chairperson and former Zimbabwe Ambassador to South Africa Phelekezela Mphoko said the retail chain thrives on offering customers real value for their money.

“We’ve managed to grow because we don’t short-change our valued customers by charging high prices. We give our customers the respect they deserve and we value their support,” he said.

Choppies Zimbabwe is also set to open two more branches in Harare next week and early next month.

Choppies has more than 100 supermarkets in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.