The retailer, which is the largest private-sector employer in South Africa, had 144 844 employees at the end of its 2021 financial year. Of these, 65% are under the age of 35 and 64% are women.

Despite the effects of the lockdown and the recent unrest on retail trade, which affected many of the group's businesses, it says that it still managed to create 4 608 new jobs in South Africa, with two-thirds of which were taken up by young people below 35 years of age.

This included the creation of 2 870 new jobs at Checkers Sixty60, the group's on-demand delivery service which continues to grow rapidly. It also created 250 new jobs created by the ShopriteX innovation hub.

The Shoprite Group concludes that it prides itself on job creation and retention, as well as the provision of training to unemployed people. This is to improve their chances of getting a job and ongoing support for suppliers and ensure their businesses are sustainable and that they have a route to market.

For more information, visit www.shoprite.co.za. You can also follow the Shoprite Group on Facebook or on Twitter.