The Spar Group in southern Africa felt the impact of the hard lockdowns and restrictions imposed to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the region, with sales improving a mere 4.8 percent during the 48 weeks to end August from 12.4 percent the prior year.

Woolworths Foods stood out as the star performer for the struggling retailer, which reported a 54.5% drop in profits to R2.2 billion after changes in accounting standards for the 52 weeks to end June 18. Headline earnings per share (HEPS) fell 64.8% to 116.2 cents.

Shoprite’s latest set of financial results triggered an almighty rally in its share price, which rocketed almost 22% in two days, and added a cool R15 billion - almost a whole Truworths, measured in market capitalisation - to its market value by end-Wednesday.

Makro and Game owner Massmart says that its losses for the half year ending 29 June 2020 will be slightly lower than previously expected – but it still expects to take a significant hit.

Woolworths (Woolies) expects its earnings to fall by up to 70percent and will impair the carrying value of certain stores for the 52 weeks to the end of June as the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic weighs heavily on its balance sheet.

Africa's largest food retailer Shoprite said on Monday it had increased total sale of merchandise for the 52 weeks to June by 6.4 percent to about R156.9 billion (US$9.14 billion) despite difficult circumstances.

Pick n Pay is preparing to report a 50 percent fall in earnings for the 26 weeks to August 2020 due to lockdown restrictions, the increased cost as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, and the one-off costs of the voluntary severance programme (VSP), the company said today.

Massmart reported that sales for the 19 weeks ended May 10 were severely hit due to Covid-19 regulations limiting trade in the majority of general merchandise, home improvement, and alcohol products.

Good morning. These are extraordinary circumstances to be presenting our results. I am sorry that you are not with us in the traditional way. But you will understand why we are presenting the results this way.

Pick n Pay today published its annual results for the year ended 1 March 2020. The Group delivered turnover growth of 4.7% in a tough trading environment. The Group’s South African operations delivered turnover growth of 5.1% against a strong prior year base, reflecting operational challenges in the second half of the year including the impact of a sustained programme of load-shedding and some supply chain labour disruption. 

Massmart, owned by US multinational retail giant Walmart, yesterday reported total sales of R22billion for the 13 weeks to end March, representing a marginal 1.3 percent year-on-year increase as the subdued economy continues to take its toll on hard-pressed consumers.

Panic buying as consumers prepared themselves for the lockdown saw Woolworths Foods' sales volumes jump 27.6% compared to the same month in 2019.