Walmart has officially opened its first store in South Africa, marking the US retail giant’s long-awaited debut on the African continent as it seeks to gain a foothold in one of the world’s most competitive retail markets.
The launch on Saturday in Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg, drew significant excitement, with more than a hundred shoppers queuing for hours to take advantage of Walmart’s promise of “Everyday Low Prices” and access to international products seldom found in South Africa.
Customers eager for exclusive imports filled the queue long before the doors opened. Among them was Refilwe Mabale, who told Reuters she was searching for Labubu dolls, a popular children’s toy rarely available locally.
“I’m actually here for a specific product that you can’t really get in South Africa… it’s a children’s toy, Labubu,” she said.
Others, like 44-year-old Tshepo Rambau, were looking to secure bargains during the Black Friday weekend. “I’m eyeing tech products like WiFi extenders. Hopefully I’ll get them cheaper here,” he said.
In addition to its retail offerings, Walmart will provide a 60-minute online delivery service, putting it in direct competition with Checkers’ Sixty60—South Africa’s dominant on-demand grocery delivery platform owned by Shoprite.
Andrea Albright, Walmart’s Executive Vice President, described the launch as a major step in the company’s global retail strategy.
“Opening the first Walmart store in South Africa is about much more than a business milestone,” she said. “It is a commitment to helping customers save money and live better by consistently delivering the lowest total cost for the basket of products they need.”
The new Roodepoort store has created 80 jobs and partnered with 15 local small- and medium-sized enterprises, reflecting Walmart’s pledge to integrate local suppliers into its operations.
South Africa’s retail sector is highly competitive, technologically advanced, and dominated by established players such as Shoprite, Pick n Pay, and Woolworths. Walmart’s entry—backed by its global scale and extensive supply chain—signals a fresh challenge to local retailers, particularly in the growing e-commerce and instant-delivery segments.
With its debut store now open and an aggressive pricing strategy in place, Walmart is positioning itself to become a major player in Africa’s most industrialised economy.
Melissa Enoch
About the Author
