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Auxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
ONE of the country’s fastest expanding retail chains, Choppies, officially opened a new supermarket in Luveve suburb on Friday.

The Luveve branch, which is located at Success Shopping Centre behind Luveve Stadium was officially opened by the Minister of State in the Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s office, Cde Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga.

The Luveve branch brings the total number of Choppies supermarkets in the country to 22 with the majority of its stores located in Bulawayo and Harare.

Lucky customers and suppliers walked away with several prizes.

Speaking after the official opening, Choppies Zimbabwe director Siqokoqela Mphoko said the supermarket chain was set for expansion with more shops expected to open in the country.

“We’re targeting to have opened 29 shops before the end of the year. Tomorrow (Saturday) we’re opening a branch in Mabvuku and we’ll open two more shops in Warren Park, Harare,” said Mphoko.

He said this month, the retail giant would open two branches in Gweru’s city centre and Mkoba.

Mphoko paid tribute to customers for their unwavering support which has seen them grow in the country despite the economic challenges.

“Business is God’s grace and we continue to thank the Lord for the grace that has seen us continue to grow but we really would want to extend a thank you to our customers. We hope to give them the best service. We would also like to commend the government for providing the conducive environment to operate in,” he said.

Mphoko said since making inroads into Zimbabwe, Choppies now employed about 2,000 workers.

The Minister of State for Bulawayo Province, Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo welcomed the opening of the shop and challenged Choppies management to support the local community.

“We expect these companies as they come to the townships to be more than a shop but to be organisations that can look after the vulnerable in the societies, the disabled, the elderly, and the orphans. We expect them to do much on the welfare side, I know they do it but we’ve to talk about it so that it stays on their conscience,” Minister Moyo.

Among the guests at the official opening were Zimpapers board chairman, Delma Lupepe, Luveve legislator Ntandoyenkosi Mlilo, Arenel managing director Joshua Lepar and Minister Kanengoni-Malinga’s husband Mphehlabayo.

Choppies has branches in Bulawayo, Harare, Mutare and Gwanda.

Choppies has over 120 supermarkets in the Sadc region and is dually listed on the Botswana Stock exchange and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Choppies outlets also offer cash back services, distance buying, Ecocash and Zesa payments, among other services.