By: Natasha Archary
US retail giant Circle K is coming to South Africa with the first convenience store set to open in Gauteng this October.
The franchise which falls under the Millat Group will be expanding the brand within the country with a number of stores expected to open across SA.
Circle K is one of the retail stores that offers a number of products and services, including groceries, fresh fruits and veggies, electrical appliances, a car wash and fuel as well as electric charging stations.
The brand will compete with other “all-in-one” supermarkets in the country which includes Food Lover’s Market, Pick n Pay and Woolworths.
It will also compete with refuelling stations or garages in the country.
Circle K was founded in Texas in 1951 and there are currently 14,100 stores across the US. There are also 1 900 franchise locations in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania.
Millat Group CEO, Hamza Farooqui said the concept is to introduce consumers to other brands, experiences and service offerings.
“It’s part of our strategy to play within the leisure, hospitality, food service and convenience segments. As a brand, Circle K is an acknowledged leader in the convenience retail sector, and this deal will allow for disruption in this space as we are a company with extensive expertise in every facet of convenience retail.”
Details about where in Gauteng the first store will be launched has not be released yet.
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