By KENNEDY MUPESENI –
PICK n Pay Zambia’s total investment is expected to reach more than U$50 million and create a total of 2,000 jobs by the end of 2015.
Pick n Pay general manager Andy Roberts said the multinational chain store would open a U$3 million new flagship store at new East Park Mall, along the Great East Road, next to the University of Zambia.
In an interview after touring the new East Park Mall, Mr Roberts said the chain store had continued investing in Zambia since 2009.
“We opened our first store in 2010 and currently we have eight stores in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces. Pick N Pay total investment will be in excess of U$50 million by the end of 2015, complemented by a total of 15 stores and 2,000 employees,” he said.
With the growing retail footprint in Zambia, Mr Roberts said Pick N Pay was currently working to improve the lives of Zambians small and large suppliers.
He said with the investment promotion agreement signed with the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) in 2011 the company was committed to increasing local content in its offering.
“In 2011 we signed an IPPA with the Government to demonstrate our commitment to empower local manufacturers and suppliers,” he said.
Mr Roberts said currently, 50 per cent by volume of stock was purchased from local Zambian manufacturers and suppliers and 25 per cent by volume was procured from Zambian agents of imported products.
He said the store had continued making significant investment in the communities where it operated in the areas of education and empowerment of physically challenged people.
“We will continue striving to contribute to the development of communities we operate in. Some of the key projects we have undertaken include renovating the library at Masala Technical High School,” he said.