Shoprite’s new store concept spreads across South Africa

Cape Town – Shoprite’s expansion beyond traditional grocery retail has reached another milestone, with its UNIQ Clothing by Checkers brand opening its 50th store in Sea Point, Cape Town.

According to BusinessTech, the new store marks another step in the retailer’s rapid expansion of UNIQ, which was launched in 2023 and now has a presence in eight South African provinces. The retailer opened 13 UNIQ stores during its latest financial year.

Shoprite said the latest opening “marks a significant moment for a brand that is redefining what customers can expect from everyday clothing”, while UNIQ head buyer Benise Spangenberg said the 50-store milestone reflected strong consumer demand.

“Reaching our 50th store is an incredibly exciting moment for us,” Spangenberg said, according to the report.

“It is a reflection of the incredible response we have received from our customers and their appetite for clothing that combines great fabrics, quality and an elevated sense of style at an accessible price.”

Style and accessible pricing

IOL reported that the Sea Point opening came just over three years after UNIQ was launched, with the brand offering womenswear, menswear and children’s clothing. Spangenberg said the expansion was driven by demand for clothing combining quality, style and accessible pricing.

UNIQ’s growth is part of a much broader expansion by Shoprite. BusinessTech reported that the group opened 262 new stores in South Africa during its 2026 financial year, taking its local footprint to 3,710 outlets.

The expansion included supermarkets as well as newer concepts such as Petshop Science, Checkers Outdoor and UNIQ.

The retailer has also been expanding beyond physical grocery stores. BusinessDay reported in September that Shoprite agreed to acquire Vida e Caffè, which operates about 400 coffee and quick-service outlets, while it also acquired a majority stake in payments and technology company R&A Cellular.

Fast fashion 

Shoprite’s move into clothing is not entirely new for the group. Reuters reported in 2024 that UNIQ was created to target the market for quality everyday basics rather than compete directly in fast fashion. At the time, the company said it was exploring local sourcing opportunities while expanding the brand’s store network.

The UNIQ concept also differentiates itself through technology. According to News24, when the first store opened at Canal Walk in Cape Town in 2023, it was designed without traditional cashier points, with customers using self-service checkouts.

Shoprite said UNIQ uses smart tags and radio-frequency identification technology to allow customers to scan and pay for their purchases themselves.

The 50-store milestone therefore forms part of Shoprite’s wider strategy of using its established retail footprint to enter adjacent consumer markets while continuing to expand its core supermarket operations.