This is Pick n Pay’s second store after the Pioneer Mall branch, which opened in 2009.
The supermarket first opened its doors at the Masianokeng Lifestyle Centre on 12 August 2020 amidst the challenging Covid-19 pandemic era. The store occupies 1900 square-metres (sqm) of the shopping centre.
The main store (1700 sqm) offers edible and non-edible groceries and other commodities such as cell-phones and mobile money platforms. Also, inside the store, the delicatessen offers ready-made foods, the butchery for different kinds of meat inclusive of their favourite wors and the bakery for fresh daily bakes such as cakes. Lastly, there is a liquor store which occupies 200 sqm.
According to Pick n Pay Masianokeng’s managing director, Zolile Nomcwenya, they opened the store to reduce the traffic of people who visit their Pioneer Mall store. He also said the three years had been a success due to their high-end customer-service and fresh produce.
He further highlighted that Pick n Pay used a concept of a table which was developed by its founder, Raymond Ackerman. The top of the table represents the customer who is supported by four legs. The first leg is the management of the retail chain stores, second leg is the merchandise offered in-store, thirdly the promotions and social responsibility then lastly the wellbeing of staff.
“We regard every customer as a king or queen, hence we use this concept of the table. We put our customers first and that is the reason our prices are cheaper, while we offer a variety of fresh and up-to-date products,” Mr Nomcwenya said.
“Good customer-service is in our DNA. We serve customers with our hearts and make Pick n Pay a great place to be through our minds. We try to accommodate our customers through promotional grocery combos sold at discounted prices as we have realised how tough life has been due to the economic downturns.
“We have also noted the need for Pick n Pay in different parts of the country and that is our goal of taking services closer to the people like we did with this store in 2020. Opening more stores will create more jobs for Basotho and enable those already employed here to be promoted to become supervisors and managers.”
The store’s floor managers, Thabo Letuma and Khomonala Senyokotho, added that the supermarket’s product-offering is based on the needs of their customers in that some of the stuff is ordered upon customers’ request. They added that the store has, since its opening in 2020, managed to exceed its annual sales target due to their good relations with their customers.
In terms of social responsibility, Pick n Pay Masianokeng donates groceries which are about to lose value to two local charitable homes, Ikaheng Centre for the Disabled and Reitumetse Church Project.
CUSTOMERS’ TESTIMONIES
Sister Celia Jone from Mazenod: Caretaker of Reitumetse Church Project – a home for senior citizens and vulnerable children.
My relationship with Pick n Pay started in 2016 when I used to stay at ‘Mabathoana, which is closer to Pioneer Mall. I would go to Pioneer Mall to buy groceries and snacks, and mostly to chat with their friendly staff. Our relationship strengthened when I moved here as I now had to order several groceries for the home, which has 12 grannies, three grandfathers, 14 orphaned and 32 vulnerable children. I consider this store as part of the family because even if I order late, they always deliver. I love their fresh and quality produce and friendly employees. Pick n Pay also supports me by donating foods daily for the home. These are foods which would expire soon or those which would be stale if not consumed the same day. My wish is for Pick n Pay to grow and extend to other areas of the country.
Tseko Alphonse Bohloa from Ha ‘Nelese
I have known the owner of this building (Masianokeng Lifestyle Centre) for a long time, and I got so excited when I learned that Pick n Pay was going to be one of the tenants. I used to travel all the way to Pioneer Mall to buy groceries at Pick n Pay there, so they have brought services closer as I now only walk five minutes from my house to here. I prefer Pick n Pay because of its variety of products, fresh food and their mouth-watering sausages. I come here every day, sometimes more than once because of their ‘feel-good factor’ they offer customers. They meet my needs as I can find everything I want here.
Refiloe Mokhoanyane from Ha Matala Phase II
I was this store’s customer from the day they opened. They have brought a convenient store closer to us. I run a catering company, so I am able to get fresh fruits, vegetables and meat here. There are also spices which I cannot find elsewhere but here. I also do decorations at events, and I can get fresh flowers here. At times, I get last-minute orders and this store is very helpful in that I often order groceries telephonically and they would put the groceries I ordered in a box, then I would just come here to pay. I never expected such a huge store to offer personalised attention to customers.
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