Operational update – Shoprite sales jumped 16.8% to R106.3 bn in H1 2023, driven by a record Black Friday & festive season. Sales is South Africa, it’s core business which makes up 80% of revenues, was up 17.5%, and a very impressive 11.1% on a like-for-like basis. Checkers & Usave rose 16.9% and 15.1%, respectively. Fuel prices impacted supply chains, & internal inflation of 9.4% led to lower margins. Power cuts cost the company R560m in the period. The best of breed food retailer boasted 46 months of uninterrupted market share gains.