February 16, 2016
Zambeef ranks among Africa's top growing retailers

Zambeef Products Plc has been named the second fastest growing retailer in Africa by the influential African Powers of Retailing report issued by Deloitte Africa.
According to the report, Zambeef's revenue grew by 23% in 2013, only surpassed by Botswana's Choppies Enterprise Ltd, but outperforming major brands such as Spar, Shoprite, Mr Price, Woolworths and Foschini.
The company was also ranked as the 20th largest retailer on the continent by revenue.
Zambeef Joint CEO Carl Irwin attributed the growth to its major focus on building a strong retail and distribution network.
"Zambeef's retail and distribution network has been structured to ensure customers have easy and convenient access to all our products. The retail network is predominately focused on the group's cold chain food products division which is at the heart of the company's operations," Irwin said. "The division, which includes the production, distribution and retailing of beef, chicken, pork, fish, dairy products and eggs, is expected to drive the growth of Zambeef in 2016."
Zambeef's retail drive has seen the upgrade of existing outlets and the launch of new ultra-modern "macro" outlets offering meat, dairy and eggs alongside stock feed and day-old chicks in strategic locations nationwide.
In 2015, the company grew its retail outlet network to 150 stores from the previous 139. Several more stores are planned for 2016 by the company as well as through its partnership with Shoprite. Zambeef hopes to roll out more of its macro-outlets or 'one-stop' outlets across the country so that customers can purchase all its products in one place.
In addition to its own brand outlets, Zambeef's 20-year-old partnership with Shoprite has also helped the company grow; Shoprite has eight new stores planned for 2016 to make a total of 34 Shoprite butcheries throughout Zambia that are operated by Zambeef.
The strategic relationship with Shoprite also extends to Nigeria and Ghana where the supermarket chain is rolling out seven additional stores in the coming year.
Based on the year-on-year revenue growth for the Top 10 fastest growing retail companies, Zambeef's revenue increased by 23% in 2013 with a composite annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.4% from 2011-2013, representing a retail revenue of US$171.8 million.
Among the Top 25 African retail companies, Zambeef generated US$229.6 million recording a 7% year-on-year growth.