Scores of middle and low line workers in Kano State have been thrown into the saturated labour market as Shoprite, one of Nigeria’s leading retail stores, announced its exit from Kano State.
Saturday Sun gathered that the decision to quit the famed commercial capital of Northern Nigeria may not be unconnected to unfavorable market dynamics.
Popularly known as Ado Bayero mall in the state, the arrival of Shoprite in the state was heralded with glitters as excited residents thronged to buy from them. But in the years, the company’s share of the retail market had continued to nosedive.
In a letter to its employees dated 1th December, 2023 and entitled “Ado Bayero Mall Store closing announcement” the store said that it would be closing its doors on the 14th of January, 2024.
The announcement, which had broken many hearts among its employees and left them in confusion, was signed by Hubertus Rick for Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited.
The store acknowldged that, “This decision was not made lightly, as we understand the impact it may have on our employees and the community”.
“However after careful evaluation of the financial situation of the store and the current business climate, we believe it is the best course of action for the long-term growth of our organization,” the statement noted.
“We understand that this news may be difficult to digest, and we want to assure you that we are here to support you during this transitional period. Your well-being is our top priority, and we will do everything we can to assist you in finding new opportunities within our company,” said the announcement.
“We encourage you to apply for any vacant positions in our existing stores across the country through the Human Resources department. Additionally, we will be opening new stores in the coming months, and you are welcome to apply for employment there as well,” the statement said.
“We deeply appreciate your dedication, hard work, and commitment to our company throughout the years. Your contributions have been invaluable, and we are grateful for the value you have brought to our team. As we navigate this transition, we will ensure that the process is as seamless as possible for everyone involved. In the upcoming days and weeks, we will provide you with more information regarding severance packages and other important details.” (Sun)