Massmart: Development History, Equity Changes, and More...

Thomas Joseph
Do you want to know what Massmart is, what it offers, and if it is a reliable company? If that is your case, then we have you covered with professional answers. Read the Massnmart article, learn everything you need, and access extra information.

Massmart is one of the African-based retail that has been on the rise for the past decades. Though the retail company is famous for its engagement with multiple wholesale stores,  home improvement chains, and supermarkets, there are many things you can learn.

Through this Massmaert article, we will explore everything, find out what it offers, the people behind its development, and gauge if it is a reliable firm. If you have a pending question, read our article to the end and rest assured with Massmart.

Table Of Contents

About Massmart

So far, you may be wondering what Massmart is. In simple terms, Massmart is a major retailer located in sub-Saharan Africa. Walmart acquired the retail company and is expanding to reach international customers as of 2023. ideally, Massmart sought access to expert knowledge on the market industry from Walmart.

Multiple brands exist under the Massmart retailer. Among these are Makro, Cash and Carry, GameFoodco, Builder’s, etc. Every brand within Massmart features its market sector. Because of this, Massmart is becoming popular and dominating the retail market today in Africa.

Keep reading if you are curious to learn more about Massmart stores and much more information. We have done meticulous research for you as our dedicated reader.

What are the Massmart-owned stores?

From our information, it is unfortunate that Massmart is not a grocery store, home improvement store, or department store found under the Massmart LTD holding company. But in the retail segment, you will find multiple profound brands and stores popular in Africa. Some of these are:-

1. Makro

This is a famous superstore found in the Massmart umbrella. Many products are found in the Makro stores, ranging from liquor to groceries and electronics.

2. GameCo Food

It is among the leading and most profound stores in over 13 markets. It is ranked among the most significant discount retailers in sub-Saharan Africa. If you want to become a dedicated customer, then in this store, you can order products ranging from appliances to value services and groceries.

Additionally, customers can see this store as a multi-discount retailer as it works like Walmart and serves Africa-based customers.

3. Builder warehouse

This warehouse, as one of the stores owned by Massmart, gives customers access to affordable items, specifically home improvement items. They also give you the builder-supplied yard as well as large garden center items to cater to your needs.

4. Massmart Builders

In this store, Massmart gives you multiple items. These focus on home improvement and building materials as well as supplies. Many of these stores customize based on the customers' needs and specialize in suiting particular needs.

Its other stores, such as Trade Depot, superstore, etc., offer customers the tools to improve their homes.

5. Trade Depot

This is another store owned by Massmart. It targets the artisans and gives them access to affordable items. It caters to the needs of large contractors and medium-sized tradespeople. Renovators, builders, and tradespeople can count on these stores to obtain maintenance, building, and renovation equipment.

6. Builder Express

If you are a DIY enthusiast, this store is meant for you. This Massmart store features a friendly staff and layout design, which gives customers custom services as well as advice on the projects at hand.

7. Builder's superstore

This store aims to offer services to underserved customers on the market. Hence, most stores are in residential areas, transit lines, and developing locations. Therefore, you can count on this superstore for home improvement equipment when you can't afford the transport.

8. Cash and Carry

This is a retailer based in South Africa and engages in selling commercial and bulk products targeting the wholesale segment. As a store in the Massmart, it is also subdivided to feature other brands. These include Jumbo Cash and Carry, Trident, CBW, Sunshine, Saverite brand, and Eureka.

Also, Cambridge Foods & Rhino Cash and Carry focuses on the foot retailing services available in 9 South African provinces. Customers can access locally sourced, perishable, fresh items from Cambridge. But from Rhino, you can get the national brand of your preference.

Why Walmart bought Massmart

We'll know that Africa has an exponentially booming population and a developing middle class. Therefore, Walmart has always aimed to expand its reach into a global presence. Still, Walmart also wanted to partner with the most established firms with extensive customers who have trust to enter the African market.

Since this is an ambitious move, it will, in the long run, help Walmart establish a robust global presence through the retailer and access more potential customers in Africa. Still, Massmart, on the other hand, wanted access to the expert knowledge and expertise from the Walmart technical team in the industry. In the long run, this will establish strong development and growth since Walmart carries most of the burden of the operations of the largest shareholder.

Still, Massmart can utilize its strong presence to boost its worldwide profit and increase its global outlets.

There are many reasons why Walmart bought Massmart. Walmart acquired Massmart Holding LTD  in 2011. Besides planning to acquire OneCart, they have also confirmed selling the non-core businesses to the Shoprite Checkers.

Who Owns Massmart?

Since Walmart acquired Massmart, it automatically became the owner of Massmart. The company is expanding into new regions and markets to give customers access to new products. Walmart owns Massmart, allowing it to expand its presence using any trusted and famous brand based in Africa.

How Much Did Massmart Cost Walmart?

Walmart's original investment in Massmart was $2.3 billion in 2011 when it acquired a 51% stake in the company. Then, Walmart spent approximately $377.6 million to acquire the outstanding shares of Massmart. This acquisition was announced in August 2022, and it allowed Walmart to take full control of the South African retailer by purchasing the remaining 47% stake that it did not already own. 

Countries that Massmart Operate in Africa

Since the acquisition of Massmart in 2011, the retail store has established a presence with 1200 retail outlets and 300 stores well distributed beyond the South African market, and the outlets are spreading across the African region.

The company is available in 13 African countries, including South Africa. Though the website mentions 9, the latest reviews online claim 13 countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zambia, Lesotho, Tanzania, and Switzerland. However, Massmart's headquarters is based in South Africa.

Here is a breakdown of Massmart's operations by division and country:

Who Is the Current CEO of Massmart?

The current CEO of Massmart is Jonathan Molapo. He assumed the role from January 1, 2023, succeeding Mitchell Slape. Before becoming CEO, Molapo served as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. He has also held leadership positions with Astron Energy (formerly Caltex SA), Puma Energy, and Total.

Massmart Contacts

If you are having issues with Massmart, you can always contact the support team. Therefore, if our article has not highlighted everything you wanted to know, then there are multiple means to contact the Massmart support team.

First, you can engage with the team on the LinkedIn account and collaborate with the Twitter handle for the latest updates, promotions, tips, etc.

Besides the above social media approaches, you can email Massmart and send it to info@nMassmart.co.za. Call them at 27(11)517-0020 for urgent concerns. If the above is not ideal, then you can also write them a letter and address it to the South Africa address which is, ass, art House, 16 Peltier Drive, Sunninghill Ext.6, Sandton 2157, republic of south africa.

Who Bought the Massmart Cambridge Food Retail Store?

The Cambridge Food retail store, along with other Massmart businesses including Rhino and Massfresh, was acquired by Shoprite. The deal, which was announced in 2021, involved a total consideration of R1.360 billion. The acquisition included 56 grocery stores, including Cambridge Food and Rhino Cash and Carry businesses, as well as the Fruitspot business, Massfresh Meat business, and 12 Masscash Cash and Carry stores. The South African Competition Tribunal approved the sale in December 2022, with certain conditions.

Conclusion

Massmart is a sub-Saharan African retailer with profound brands. Since its acquisition by Walmart, the company has been expanding its reach, profit, and customer base, presenting opportunities and new ideas to Walmart and Massmart retailers.

In the above article, Massmart and Walmart are dominant, and they are helping each other reach a more global presence, access new talent, and integrate innovation to unveil new services, stores, and outlets worldwide.

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