After a 24-month closure, Retail Supermarket Nigeria Ltd (RSNL), the company that owns Shoprite in Nigeria, has announced the start of business at its location in Circle Mall, Jakande, Lekki.
The announcement was made by Mr. Hubertus Rick, the Chief Executive Officer of RSNL, at the Circle Mall’s reopening celebration on Friday in Lagos.
Following a string of looting episodes that followed the nationwide #EndSARS protests in 2020, business operations at the mall were put on hold.
Before the demonstrations, around 50 enterprises could be accommodated in the Circle Mall store, one of 24 locations across the country currently bridging the gap between small businesses and consumers.
According to Rick, the RSNL’s goal of expanding access to legitimate retail outlets for more Nigerians while reviving the economy is consistent with the mall’s reopening.
This, he said, was because Shoprite Nigeria has through the years made important economic contributions to the country.
He pointed out that the business presently employs 10,000 people, both directly and indirectly, and has a supply chain that includes more than 300 of Nigeria’s top suppliers. It also partners with several small businesses, farmers, and suppliers of a variety of regional brands.
“Two years ago, we made a tough decision to shut down operations at the Shoprite Circle Mall in response to the insecurity situation.
“The closure was in the interest of our customers as well as our staff as we had to prioritise the safety of lives and properties ahead of other interests.
“Today, we’re happy to commence operations again as we have put measures in place to ensure the safety of all who will walk through our doors.
“We are aware of the impact that the closure has had on our supply chain as well as the business at large.
“As we reopen this store and other outlets in subsequent months, we are prioritising ensuring a safe shopping environment for our customers while expanding our retail network,” he said.
Additionally, Rick stated that the corporation would open its malls in the cities of Benin, Kaduna, and Port Harcourt during the upcoming six months.
He reaffirmed the firm’s dedication to ensuring the safety and perishability of all food, agricultural, and butchery goods through its complete integration of farming, slaughtering, and consumer preparation.
According to Mr. Olurotimi Bajomo, Center Manager at Circle Mall, the business through a number of insurance and other procedures before it could resume operations.
In order to prevent any sort of mishap, the administration, according to Bajomo, has implemented many physical reenactments on the property, the company assured its consumers.
“The management of the mall has introduced physical reenactments such as roller shutter doors, and engaged the services of the Nigeria Police and military officials as well as other security outfit to guarantee the safety of investments, people and properties.
“The management has also began community liaison to engage the community better to protect against a repeat of any negative occurrences.
“The company is ready to provide bigger and better services to all its customers,” he said.
