12 Aug 2019

Botswana’s largest chain store, Choppies will open a store in Tsabong at TM mall on August 21.

Speaking in an interview with BOPA, Choppies head of marketing, Mr Rajesh Ottaphth said the chain store, which retails in eight Southern African countries and boasts of 250 stores, has a large footprint in remote areas. The last store, he said, was opened in Metsimotlhabe.

The Tsabong retail market had been dominated by Shoppers and Trans supermarkets.

To keep up with competition, Mr Ottaphth said the chain store offers competitive prices for its consumers.

“We are the cheapest and the best chain supermarket, we offer great value for money for our customers,” he said.

“We offer the best products, best affordable rates and the best service,” he stressed.

During the opening ceremony, he said, customers should expect competitions where they could win hampers, get good prices, be treated to lots of entertainment and enjoy lots of give-aways.

The move, he said, was a good business development as Choppies had the experience of operating in remote areas in Botswana and internationally.

Further, he divulged that another store would be opened in Shakawe in September.

The remote areas and tough operational terrains do not impede Choppies from doing business as they have the necessary information technology connectivity, which, Mr Ottaphth said, enabled close monitoring of business activities in every store country wide.

A street hawker from Kisa village operating  at TM mall, Ms Motlatsi Keabile is hopeful that the opening of the chain store in Tsabong would have economic trickle down for her business.

She said Choppies brings a new dawn to her business as there would be more people coming to buy from her.

A resident, Ms Oboletse Matswiri was happy that Choppies would finally open in Tsabong, which she said showed that the village was gradually developing.

She added that the economic growth would boost and bring other developments including banks, as currently there is only one bank operating in the village.

Another consumer, Ms Keipeile Barolong from Maleshe village, who works in Tsabong, said the opening of Choppies would mean better prices for customers and competition for the existing retailers, which would benefit her as a consumer.

On their way to various destinations in the Kgalagadi region, tourists stop by TM mall to buy groceries and other supplies that they need for their journey.

BOPA caught up with Mr Bradley Shandos from Johannesburg, who was with his family on their way to Mabuasehube.

Mr Shandos said the current supermarket had served them well as they could place their meat orders via email and they received them on their way to the park.

However, he said, it would help to get variety from the new Choppies store. Ends