Shoprite takes majority stake in tech firm R&A Cellular

Shoprite Group CEO, Pieter Engelbrecht | image source: Shoprite

The acquisition, which was completed after Shoprite's 28 June 2026 financial year-end, forms part of the group's financial services growth strategy. Shoprite said the transaction will allow it to scale the R&A Cellular platform by expanding its installed device base nationally across informal retailers.

Expanding the R&A platform

R&A Cellular's device network enables informal and semi-formal micro-retailers to provide financial services access points for everyday services while supporting their own cash flow and inventory management.

Shoprite plans to broaden the value-added services available through the platform and embed its own financial services products within the R&A Cellular ecosystem.

The group said these initiatives are expected to drive growth, deepen customer engagement and extend its financial services reach into the informal sector.

The acquisition follows a relationship between the two businesses, with R&A Cellular's platform already forming part of the retail group's broader ecosystem.

Shoprite CEO Pieter Engelbrecht said the group had moved selectively towards partnerships and acquisitions where specialist expertise, capacity or speed-to-market offered a clear advantage.

He described the R&A Cellular transaction as a relatively small but strategic acquisition.

The deal was one of two acquisitions highlighted by Shoprite in its annual results. The other was its planned acquisition of Vida e Caffè, which is aimed at expanding the group's presence in the coffee and quick-service restaurant category. That transaction remains subject to conditions precedent, including regulatory approval.

Shoprite wants a piece of Vida e Caffe

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Shoprite results

Shoprite reported a 7.1% increase in group revenue from continuing operations to R274.8bn for the 52 weeks ended 28 June 2026, while sale of merchandise increased 7.2% to R270.8bn.

Diluted headline earnings per share increased 12.2% to 1,527.4 cents.

The group's Sixty60 on-demand digital platform recorded sales growth of 34.5% to R25.5bn, adding a record R6.6bn in revenue during the year.

Shoprite opened a net 232 stores during the period and created 5,491 direct new jobs.