Business Times Issue 103 | Shoprite South Africa | April 24

SHOPRITE SOUTH AFRICA:

TRANSFORMING FOOD WASTE INTO ANIMAL NUTRITION

SHOPRITE SOUTH

SHOPRITE AFRICA

SHOPRITE SOUTH AFRICA TRANSFORMING FOOD WASTE INTO ANIMAL NUTRITION

Project by: Malvern Kandemwa

Words by: Michelle Duncan

Shoprite is a household name in South Africa, one that has been synonymous with convenience and value for over 40 years. The retail company has always prided itself on providing shoppers with the lowest possible prices on groceries, fresh produce, and household items. But it’s not just about low prices. Shoprite has built its success on an unwavering commitment to customer service, quality, and innovation. Under the leadership of its CEO, Pieter Engelbrecht, Shoprite has undergone a significant technology transformation, committed to sustainability, and made strides in renewable energy development within their operations.

Pieter Engelbrecht has been at the helm of Shoprite since 2017. Prior to his appointment as CEO, he held various leadership positions within the company, including that of Chief Operating Officer. Engelbrecht’s leadership style is characterised by his extensive knowledge of the retail industry, his focus on fiscal discipline, and his commitment to customer satisfaction.

Under his leadership, the company has continued to grow rapidly. Shoprite has seen a significant increase in sales over the last few years, thanks to Engelbrecht’s vision and strategic leadership. Engelbrecht values the training and development of his employees, empowering them to take ownership of their roles and contribute meaningfully to the company’s growth. Engelbrecht has also used technology to drive in-

novation, leveraging the power of data analytics to understand customer behaviour and make informed business decisions.

CEO, Shoprite SA

Pieter Engelbrecht,

He is committed to driving social change through his leadership role, and this is evident in the various initiatives that the company has implemented under his leadership. His leadership style, which is focused on collaboration, has helped to foster a culture of innovation and excellence in the company, which has propelled Shoprite to remain a significant force in the African retail industry.

One of the ways in which Engelbrecht has shown his commitment to Shoprite’s growth is by forging strategic partnerships with various companies, including Mix Telematics. Shoprite has a longstanding partnership with Mix Telematics, a global solutions provider of fleet management technologies. Mix Telematics provides Shoprite with a comprehensive solution that includes fuel management, driver safety, and compliance, among others. The partnership has been instrumental in driving significant improvements in Shoprite’s logistics planning and supply chain operations, resulting in significant cost savings, improved safety for drivers, and increased efficiencies. With Mix Telematics’ platform, Shoprite can monitor, check, and track its vehicles and drivers in real-time, ensuring maximum productivity, fuel efficiency, and safety. The solution also allows the company to monitor driver behaviours, enabling it to identify and address any safety concerns proactively.

Shoprite South Africa has undertaken a proactive approach to addressing food waste by transforming surplus, expired, or damaged food products into animal nutrition. This initiative not only helps to reduce the environmental impact of food waste but also contributes to sustainable practices within the retail industry.

By converting 1 000 tonnes of food waste into animal feed over the past six months, the Shoprite Group is providing enough fodder for up to 3 000 cattle daily as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability and advancing the circular economy. The retailer is repurposing food products – returned from Shoprite and checkers supermarkets to its distribution centres in Brackenfell, Western Cape, and in Centurion, Gauteng – that are no longer fit for human consumption, thereby preventing waste from ending up in landfills.

MiX Telematics is a leading global provider of fleet and mobile asset management solutions delivered as SaaS to more than 1 million global subscribers spanning more than 120 countries. The company’s products and services provide enterprise fleets, small fleets, and consumers with solutions that embrace an integrated approach to telematics, delivering actionable intelligence to solve complex vehicle- and driver-related problems.

Operating at optimum efficiency is critical for supermarket retailers where the safety of the drivers and the efficient delivery of products transported daily is of paramount importance. Various factors can lead to unnecessary costs, reduced efficiency and increased risk during standard journeys.

Supermarket retailers rely on MiX’s solutions to optimise their operations. MiX’s expertise specifically address the complexities faced by fleet managers and operators in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. The company’s innovative telematics technology delivers actionable intelligence to tackle vehicle and driver related challenges, ensuring optimal efficiency.

As a trusted a technology partner to the Shoprite Group, MiX provides an integrated commercial fleet solution built around a web-based software platform and mobile applications, supported by in-vehicle hardware and peripheral accessories.

This includes the Essential and Premium versions of the MiX Fleet Manager solution, in addition to the MiX Talk handsfree in-cab communication units, MiX FreshTrack real-time temperature monitoring for refrigerated vehicles, and our dedicated stolen vehicle recovery service. Shoprite Group leverages these solutions to gain actionable insights, enabling informed decision-making and achieving improvements in vehicle performance, driver safety, fleet security, efficiency, sustainability, and compliance.

www.mixtelematics.com/za fleetsa@mixtelematics.com

Shoprite ensures that the food items repurposed into animal nutrition meet stringent quality and safety standards. By adhering to regulations and guidelines, the company guarantees that the animal feed is safe, nutritious, and free from contaminants that might harm livestock health.

Dried goods such as rice, pasta, maize products, cereal products, flour, chips, snacks, and seeds now supplement hominy chop, a byproduct of maize milling, in the Group’s animal feed formu-

la. This has resulted in maintaining high-quality feed. To reduce food waste, which has significant environmental, social and economic implications, the Group applies a hierarchical approach. The Group does this by reviewing its ordering, replenishment and ranging processes, using technology and data analytics to identify food waste hotspots.

Transforming food waste into animal nutrition not only benefits the company economically but also has a positive environmental impact. By diverting food waste from landfills, Shoprite reduces greenhouse gas emissions asso-

ciated with food decomposition and contributes to overall waste reduction efforts. Shoprite South Africa is aligning with sustainable practices aimed at reducing waste, promoting circular economies, and supporting responsible food production methods. This initiative reflects the company’s commitment to social and environmental sustainability.

It has been at the forefront of technology transformation in the African retail industry. They have massively invested in technology to continually improve their operational efficiencies and customer shopping experience.

TRANSFORMING FOOD WASTE INTO ANIMAL NUTRITION NOT ONLY BENEFITS THE COMPANY ECONOMICALLY BUT ALSO HAS A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

One of their most significant ventures is the roll-out of mobile money services through their subsidiary, Money Market. This service enables customers to pay for everyday products, send money, and pay their bills using their mobile phone. The service has been game-changing for the underbanked populations of African countries, allowing them to enjoy access to financial services through their mobile phones.

Shoprite has also introduced a shopper app, which is an app that allows customers to browse through products, make online

purchases, and book home deliveries. The app has seen an uptake in usage, particularly in South Africa, where it has been rolled out. The company has invested considerably in its IT infrastructure and data management system, making it easier to track customer behaviour and preferences, which helps in personalising campaigns and promotions.

Shoprite has been involved in renewable energy development, particularly in the use of solar power generation. The company has installed over 19,000 solar panels across over 200 stores

in South Africa, allowing them to generate clean, renewable energy, which has helped to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. Shoprite’s commitment to renewable energy has seen it partner with Sun Exchange, an innovative Cape Town-based company that specialises in solar

THE COMPANY HAS INSTALLED OVER 19,000 SOLAR PANELS ACROSS OVER 200 STORES IN SOUTH AFRICA

power generation solutions. The partnership enables Shoprite to purchase solar power from smallscale solar farms that have been set up in South Africa, which are used to power some of its stores. Shoprite has undergone significant transformation over the years, becoming an industry leader in sustainable practices, renewable energy development, and technology transformation. Their commitment to driving social change and reducing their carbon footprint has enabled them to remain an influential player in the African retail industry. The company’s leadership, under the guidance of Pieter Engelbrecht, has been instrumental in driving these initiatives and propelling Shoprite to scale greater heights.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SHOPRITE SA

SHOPRITE.CO.ZA

SHOPRITE SA

shoprite.co.za

Cnr William Dabbs Street & Old Paarl Road Brackenfell, 7560, Western Cape Province, South Africa

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