Choppies enters talks to exit Zimbabwe operations
The potential deal seeks to streamline Choppies' operations and focus on profitable markets amid Zimbabwe's challenging retail sector.
The potential deal seeks to streamline Choppies' operations and focus on profitable markets amid Zimbabwe's challenging retail sector.
Choppies' profit for the period reached BWP164 million ($12.5 million), up from BWP150 million ($11.4 million) in the previous fiscal year.
The founders, Ramachandran Ottapathu and Farouk Ismail, are poised to benefit from the dividend payout.
This surge has solidified Farouk Ismail’s standing as one of Botswana’s most affluent businessmen.
The market value of Ismail’s shares in Choppies has taken a sharp hit, plummeting by BWP41.13 million ($2.99 million) since Aug. 16.
Choppies has grown from a single store operating under the name “Wayside Supermarket” in Botswana in 1986 into a leading retailer with more than 260 stores in eight countries.
Ismail, a renowned Botswana businessman, has reshaped the nation’s economy and the broader African business arena.
Through his leadership roles at The Far Property Co. and Choppies Enterprises, Ottapathu has masterminded a remarkable transformation.
Ottapathu owns a controlling 24.48-percent stake in Choppies, totaling 316,353,058 ordinary shares.
The decline in the market value of Ottapathu’s stake in Choppies reminds us of the risks associated with equity investments.
Choppies Enterprises is a Gaborone-based supermarket chain.
Choppies Enterprises is Botswana’s largest retail chain.
Choppies Enterprises was established in 1986 by Ottapathu and Farouk Ismail.