Shoprite Mall has officially announced the cessation of operations at its Kano State branch, effective January 14, 2024.
This decision, revealed in a circular distributed to the media on Thursday, is attributed to severe financial difficulties and the escalating production costs that have become a major hurdle for businesses in Nigeria.
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The Shoprite Mall’s move follows closely on the heels of Jumia Food’s recent announcement to withdraw its operations from Nigeria by the end of this month, citing mounting economic challenges as the primary reason for the strategic decision.
Expressing regret over the unavoidable development, the supermarket emphasized the necessity of this step in the face of the economic hardships. The circular hinted at the impending layoff of all employees currently working at the Kano State branch once operations cease.
“I regret that our store in Ado Bayero Mall, Kano, will close its doors on January 14, 2024. This decision was not made lightly, as we understand the impact it may have on our employees and the community.
“However, after careful evaluation of the financial situation of the store and the current business climate, we believe that it is the best cause of action for the long-term growth of our organization.
“We understand that this news may be difficult to digest. We want to assure you that we are here to support you during this transitional period, your well-being is our top priority, and we will do everything we can to assist you in finding new opportunities within our company, we encourage you to apply for any vacant position in existing our store across the country through the Human Resources department,” the statement read.
In a somewhat optimistic note, the circular revealed that while bidding farewell to Kano, the retail giant plans to open new branches in other parts of the country. Encouragingly, it announced that employees affected by the closure in Kano are welcome to apply for positions at these upcoming stores.
