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Timoth Makohliso Midlands Reporter
SOUTH Africa-based retail giant Pick n Pay opened its Gweru branch yesterday morning with thousands of shoppers thronging the supermarket.
Shoppers were apparently attracted by prices of most goods which were selling at reduced prices as part of a promotion to mark the supermarket’s grand opening in Gweru.
TM Gweru branch has since closed its doors to the public as it merged with the South African giant supermarket chain to form one brand.
The new supermarket operating as Pick n Pay is located at Meikles Building at Corner Robert Mugabe Way and Fifth Street in the Central Business District.
Branch manager for the newly opened Pick’n Pay supermarket, Edmore Jonero, told Business Chronicle the opening day had seen the supermarket registering brisk business.
He said Pick n Pay was in Gweru to stay.
“Everything is going according to plan. We’re grateful to our customers. Their support is great and the turnout has been overwhelming. By 7AM multitudes of people had already gathered outside the building waiting for us to open doors,” said Jonero.
He said Pick n Pay brings the much needed difference in shopping as the supermarket chain is known for quality products that sell at competitive prices.
He said they respect the fact that other supermarkets have been in Gweru before them serving customers well.
“We’re not here to take over but to stick to our marketing strategies which are customer oriented,” said Jonero.
When Business Chronicle visited the shop yesterday morning, it was packed with little room for shoppers to manoeuvre.
Various companies mounted stands just outside the supermarket as part of the grand promotional parades meant to announce the coming of Pick n Pay to Gweru.
Some of the shoppers were crowded outside at the product stands.
The South African supermarket chain and Meikles Limited have shareholding in TM Supermarket with Meikles having 51 percent while the South African company owns 49 percent.
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