South Africa mourns the loss of a retail giant, Raymond Ackerman, who passed away at the age of 92. Ackerman, the founder of Pick n Pay, one of South Africa’s leading grocery retailers, leaves behind a legacy that transformed the nation’s retail landscape.
Born into a retailing family, Ackerman’s journey began with the Ackermans clothing group, founded by his father, Gus, after World War 1. The group was later sold to competitor Greatermans, which initiated the supermarket chain, Checkers. Raymond Ackerman’s career in retail took off at Greatermans, where he was entrusted with launching the Checkers supermarkets. However, a disagreement with the Greatermans board led to his departure.
In 1967, with a vision and the support of investors, Ackerman acquired four small stores in Cape Town, rebranding them under the name Pick n Pay. This marked the beginning of a retail revolution. Under his leadership, the chain witnessed rapid expansion. By 1975, South Africa saw its first hypermarket, a sprawling 22,000m² store in Boksburg, introduced by Pick n Pay. Ackerman’s innovative approach to retail also brought forth concepts like no-name food brands and in-store banking to South Africa.
His commitment to fair pricing and opposition to monopolies and price-fixing set him apart in the industry. Ackerman’s campaigns against these practices and his introduction of the hypermarket concept showcased his forward-thinking approach and dedication to the South African consumer.
By the time of his retirement in 2010, Pick n Pay had grown exponentially, boasting a turnover of almost 50 billion rand. Today, the retail behemoth generates 106 billion rand in annual turnover and has a presence not just in South Africa but in seven other African nations.
Beyond his business acumen, Ackerman was an unwavering optimist about South Africa’s future. His belief in the nation and its people was evident in his philanthropic endeavors. Alongside his wife, Wendy, and their four children, the Ackerman family has been deeply involved in various charitable causes, including educational and community upliftment programs.
The news of his passing was met with an outpouring of tributes and condolences from across the country. Pick n Pay, in its official statement, described Ackerman as a “visionary South African” and a “brilliant patriot.”
As South Africa reflects on the life and contributions of Raymond Ackerman, his legacy as a retail pioneer and a champion for the people will undoubtedly live on for generations to come.
