ABSTRACT

Zimbabwe has experienced a rise in supermarkets despite its volatile macroeconomic environment. Using data elucidated from key informants in the supermarket retail sector, the study observes that Zimbabwe is still relatively attractive to foreign investors as its food retail sector is not yet saturated. Zimbabwe’s supermarket expansion is driven by the entry of global, regional, and home-grown chains, growing urbanisation and an upsurge in consumerism. Unlike other African countries, Zimbabwe supermarket sector is unique due to its historical footprint, macroeconomic and policy uncertainty. Supermarket development challenges include exclusion of small farmers, modernising procurement systems, difficult operating environment characterised by liquidity crisis, hyperinflation, energy shortages, and deficient infrastructure. Future supermarket growth could emerge from a more stable macroeconomic environment, improved backbone infrastructure, upgrading value chains and penetration of untapped markets in second tier cities and small rural towns.

摘要

尽管宏观经济环境动荡，津巴布韦的超市数量有所增加。该研究利用超市零售业的关键信息提供者阐明的数据，观察到津巴布韦对外国投资者仍然具有相对吸引力，因为其食品零售业尚未饱和。津巴布韦的超市扩张是由全球、区域和本土连锁店的进入、城市化进程的加快和消费主义的高涨推动的。与其他非洲国家不同，津巴布韦超市行业因其历史足迹、宏观经济和政策不确定性而独树一帜。超市发展面临的挑战包括排斥小农、现代化采购系统、以流动性危机为特征的艰难经营环境、恶性通货膨胀、能源短缺和基础设施不足。