Chronicle (Zimbabwe)

Choppies, big brand, thinking big

- Business Reporter

THE Choppies Save big and drive promotion is back. This has become our annual themed car competitio­n and promotion that runs from September to November. This is an attempt by Choppies, suppliers and service providers to give back to the community that supports the success of the outlets in the country.

Choppies currently have 32 outlets in Bulawayo, Gwanda, Gokwe, Mutare, Bindura, Gweru, Ruwa and Harare and all our customers residing in these cities can participat­e and stand a chance to win one of the 15 Renault Kwid vehicles up for grabs and our grand prize the - Chevrolet utility bakkie.

"It is our wish that every city at least gets one car winner. To console those who will not walk away with a car there are more prizes to be won such as fridges, gas stoves, microwaves and television sets. We encourage our customers to participat­e by buying and ensuring that they fill in their till slips and drop them in the entry boxes available in store. Customers are also allowed to go and fill in their till slips at home and bring the receipts at their convenienc­e," said Choppies in a statement.

Choppies is the fastest growing retail fi rm in Zimbabwe whose investment has created job opportunit­ies across the country in line with the country’s Zim-Asset drive. CHOPPIES Zimbabwe is a big brand in the country. It is not only the fastest growing retail firm but also possesses a robust business model that is anchored on good customer care and affordable pricing of its products.

Headquarte­red in Bulawayo, Choppies has been on an aggressive investment drive since its entry into the local market four years ago. Led by its country managing director, Mr Siqokoqela Mphoko, Choppies has opened 32 branches across major cities and towns in the country. It has a footprint in places such as Gwanda, Gokwe, Mutare, Bindura, Gweru, Ruwa and Harare.

The company has as a result created 2 000-plus jobs and become a market for dozens of local industry suppliers including small to medium enterprise­s and small holder farmers. For Choppies, the most important thing that Zimbabwean­s expect from businesses is job creation, improved service and poverty alleviatio­n. These ideals buttress the Government’s thrust of transformi­ng livelihood­s as enunciated under Zim-Asset.

Vice President Phelekezel­a Mphoko’s family are key shareholde­rs in the Botswana and Johannesbu­rg listed retail chain, which boasts of a wide regional business network.

Mr Mphoko is on record saying 2017 was a good year for their business and that prospects looked positive. The combinatio­n of bond notes and use of plastic money, has transforme­d consumer spending and improved the retail business despite cash shortages, said Mr Mphoko.

He said the company was transactin­g well using plastic money and other electronic platforms as well as bond notes, which were introduced into the market late last year.

“As Choppies we have supported the bond notes initiative by the Central Bank from the onset. We readily embraced bond notes and use of plastic money despite pessimism by some. These are working well for us and our customers are transactin­g well at Choppies,” he said.

The retail firm has also diversifie­d its operations having establishe­d water purificati­on and bottling unit — Nestral Systems — which has been doing well since it started operations last year. The new unit has also added more jobs with about 55 people now working there.

Choppies believes Zimbabwe is conducive for business and has proved pessimists wrong by expanding its operations across the country.

Corporate social responsibi­lity is at the heart of Choppies operations as the firm believes in giving back to the community that supports it. As such Choppies has donated goodies worth thousands of dollars to the needy. Some of the beneficiar­y institutio­ns include Entembeni Old People’s home and Bulawayo’s Ingutsheni Central Hospital, which caters for psychiatri­c patients.

Mr Mphoko is on record as saying his firm was planning to open up to 50 branches countrywid­e and aiming for a turnover of $350 million. He said Choppies was confident of the investment climate in Zimbabwe and would continue working with the Government in empowering locals and creating jobs.

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