Becoming a Shoprite Supplier


The Shoprite Group believes that our success is closely linked to the success of our suppliers. Stronger suppliers means more secure supply chain, more efficient suppliers equate to cost savings that we can pass on to our customers. This understanding, coupled with our intention to always build long term relationships with our suppliers incentivise us to use the means we have to support our suppliers. The mechanisms through which we support our suppliers provide significant benefit to them, which in turn provides significant benefit to our Group.

As the largest retailer in Africa, our Group has established processes and systems that can benefit our suppliers.

The aim of the Quality Assurance Department is to:

- Manage and administer the quality of supplier’s products and services as well as to provide food safety input to the supplier.
- Ensure the production of safe foodstuffs and non-foodstuffs within RSA and non-RSA countries.
- Identify and mitigate the risk by ensuring that suppliers implement adequate controls, which are verified by the audit/assessment of their food safety and quality management systems.
- Minimise the liability and risk of products supplied into the Shoprite Group’s Supply Chain, whilst ensuring brand protection.
- Provide a consistent national and international approach to the production of safe food to ensure consumer protection and strengthen consumer confidence i.e. “due diligence” in respect of the requirements of the Consumer Protection Act.

Globally food waste receives a lot of attention, and through our collaborative approach, we aim to reduce food waste in our value chain. To this end, we enter into joint programmes with our suppliers to reduce food waste.

The Shoprite Group collaborates with our suppliers to improve packaging by identifying potential weaknesses in the stability of packaging that could result in product damage, consider the design and material types to increase shelf life and thereby reduce food waste, increase recyclability of packaging materials and to increase the use of recycled content in packaging.

Our Freshmark division sources from local suppliers where possible and provide growing programmes to these producers. This enables producers to obtain finance for their farming activities and to plan their planting and growing seasons.

Freshmark also shares their technical expertise to the benefit of farmers and producers, actively providing assistance on any challenge experienced by their suppliers.

Read more on Freshmark and supplying them here.





Infrastructure available to our suppliers:


Suppliers to the Shoprite Group benefit directly from our centralised distribution system. It allows them access to a more efficient route to market than the costly traditional “direct-to-store” option where supplier vehicles drive extra mileage and waste time between individual store deliveries. Suppliers no longer need to tie-up their capital in expensive warehousing and vehicles that offer no financial return, instead, they can focus their financial resources on product development and production related aspects. Our investment in central distribution saved our suppliers approximately R132 billion of which R40 billion would have been spent on fuel alone.

The Shoprite Group further invested in a pool of returnable and recyclable plastic crates that reduce packaging costs and improve product protection during transportation.

Special support to our small and emerging suppliers

Our Group buys from a large number of suppliers and we value our small and emerging suppliers.

Homemade is for startup food manufacturers who have products such as confectionery and preserves to sell, but may not initially have the means or capacity to register as large scale suppliers. They can approach their local store manager who will place them in contact with the relevant buying team.  These emerging suppliers will then be assisted with relevant minimum requirements and practical advice to get them listed as a supplier under the Homemade label if the product is deemed viable.


Homemade Quality Assurance requirements

The elements required to be managed in a food safety management system for a Homemade Food Business Operator shall include:

- Relevant compliance to Statutes and permits, including Certificate of Acceptability (South Africa) or equivalent minimum permits/certificates (outside South Africa)
- Product Specifications
- Documentation and Records
- Vector control
- Traceability
- Product packaging and labelling
- Product legal metrology compliance

 

Our team of food technologists assists and advises micro, small and medium suppliers of legal compliance, food safety and quality requirements. Through our involvement these suppliers save costs while ensuring legal compliance. This helps to make their businesses more sustainable.

Quality Assurance requirements

Food business operators (including SMME’s) are obliged to meet many responsibilities in terms of the products and professional services they introduce into their operations. These include ensuring the meeting of expectations for essential elements including:

- Legislation, regulations and standards
- Quality and Food Safety Systems
- Food Safety Assurance conditions
- Contract Conditions
- Supply Agreements

 

Please read more on the various supplier areas:

Edible, Non-Edible Groceries and Fresh Foods
General Merchandise

Become a Supplier: Edible, Non-Edible Groceries and Fresh Foods

1. Quality Assurance & Food Safety

Shoprite Checkers food safety requirements for applying to become a supplier:

All legal and statutory requirements shall be adhered to and applicable to the country in which their product are destined to be sold in; i.e. South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Eswatini (previously Swaziland), Uganda, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The following is required:

  1. Refer to the South African National Standard 10049 and/or CODEX with regards to management of food hygiene and safety as a guideline.
  2. Suppliers will need to comply with Shoprite’s mandatory minimum food safety requirements, including audit certificate(s)
  3. Suppliers, who do not have a food safety audit report or certificate, shall undergo an audit / assessment by an independent third party auditing or certification body.
  4. This is applicable to manufacturing and processing sites, storage, warehouses and distribution sites and vehicles and applies to foodstuffs, abattoirs, liquor and alcoholic beverages, farms (packing and processing area) and pet foods.
  5. List of approved audit service providers can be viewed here.

To supply us in South Africa, the following is required:

  1. Certificate of Acceptability for food premises as is required by the Foodstuffs Cosmetics and Disinfectant Act (Act 54 of 1972) Regulation 962
  2. Comply with Legal and industry related regulations under the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; and Department of Trade and Industry.
  3. Registered businesses shall have necessary licences and permits
  4. Refer to the South African National Standard 10049 and/or CODEX with regards to management of food hygiene and safety.
  5. Facilities that want to export products from South Africa shall have a relevant approved establishment certificate.

All Shoprite Checkers food products shall comply with the following:

  1. Foodstuffs Cosmetics and Disinfectant Act (Act 54 of 1972)
  2. Agricultural Products Standards Act (Act 119 of 1990)
  3. Compulsory Standards (all as per Department of Trade and Industry)
  4. Alternative recognised International Standard(s) and/or African Trade Community Standard(s)

All prospective suppliers need to adhere to international conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, National Traffic Acts, etc) pertaining to hazardous goods.  

2. Contact our buying team

If you meet all the above requirements, please >> contact us << to set up an interview (personal or telephonic) with one of our experienced buyers (food safety approval does not guarantee supplier registration):

3. To enlist as a supplier, please note:

  1. You must meet all the quality assurance and food safety requirements
  2. All products and packaging must be properly bar-coded according to GS1 standards
  3. You must register on GS1 South Africa
  4. You must use the online Shoprite Supplier Portal to receive orders.
  5. The buyer will schedule your product packaging artwork approval appointment.  The relevant information will be reviewed by our buying department for regulatory compliance; all products have to meet the requirements of local standards authorities.

If your product / service is accepted by our buying department, you will receive the necessary application forms and list of mandatory documentation to return to us.   

4. Trading Agreement

Suppliers will be required to sign our Supplier Trading Agreement, Standard Terms and Conditions of Supply and submit all supporting documents to the relevant buyer.  At this point, the supplier will require:   

  1. Legal entity registration certificate
  2. Cancelled cheque
  3. Copy of a tax invoice
  4. VAT certificate (if applicable)
  5. Receive a copy of the Trade Creditors Guideline
  6. Food safety confirmation

New suppliers will receive a copy of the Shoprite Trade Creditor Guidelines to ensure that they know how to transact with us and to use the Business to Business (B2B) Supplier Portal.   

5. Supplier Confirmation

The relevant buyer will inform you if the application to become a supplier was successful.  If your application has been approved, you will receive a supplier number which you use to register on the Business to Business (B2B) Supplier Portal.  You will only be able to register on the portal once you have been allocated a supplier number.  

You are welcome to contact us should you require any further information or clarity.

6. Submission of B-BBEE status/certificate information

It is a requirement that all suppliers, approved to trade with the Shoprite Group, provide us with their B-BBEE status/certificate. Please note that this information must be provided even if you are currently not B-BBEE compliant.

We have adopted an online capturing system via our Business to Business (B2B) Supplier Portal that must be completed on an annual basis. Suppliers are required to complete a form and upload their B-BBEE certificate or affidavit*.

* For businesses that qualify as Exempted Micro Enterprises (EME’s) or Black Owned Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSE’s) in terms of the B-BBEE act, are not required to present a B-BBEE certificate. These businesses must complete an Affidavit, signed by a Commissioner of Oaths, and upload to the B2B/Supplier Portal it instead of the B-BBEE certificate. 

 

Contact this buying team

Become a Supplier: General Merchandise

1. Quality Assurance

All legal and statutory requirements must be adhered to for the applicable country where your products will be sold in, i.e. South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, the Kingdom of Eswatini (previously Swaziland), Uganda, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Shoprite believes in proudly supporting manufacturers of general merchandise local to the countries we trade in.

The acceptance of products will be subject to a range of product-specific safety tests, especially for sensitive products. Where applicable, local Bureau of Standards certificate could be required.  The relevant buyer will be able to provide you with more information depending on the product being supplied.

Such suppliers need the following:

  1. A registered business with the necessary licenses and permits.
  2. An approved establishment certificate for your facility if your products will be exported.
  3. ℮-mark:  If you are registered according to the European Union Directive 76/211/EEC (amended by 2007/45/EC) you need to provide us with proof of registration and your certificate for using the e-mark.
  4. Comply with any additional legal and industry related regulations.   
  5. All prospective suppliers need to adhere to relevant traffic act of the local country pertaining to hazardous goods.  
Imported general merchandise from a non-local manufacturer:  

 

The acceptance of products will be subject to the relevant regulators’ approval and global standards where required before any orders will be placed.  On shipment we strictly require proof of shipment Quality Checks (QCs). 
  1. Adhere to the local certification requirements specific to each country
  2. ℮-mark:  If you are registered according to the European Union Directive 76/211/EEC (amended by 2007/45/EC), please provide us with proof of registration and your certificate for using the e-mark.
  3. Adhere to import / direct shipment requirements.  
  4. Any other compliance, regulatory or quality requirements indicated for specific products.  

All prospective suppliers need to adhere to international conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, National Traffic Acts, etc) pertaining to hazardous goods.  

2. Contact our buying team

If you meet all the above requirements, please >> contact us << to set up an interview (personal or telephonic) with one of our experienced buyers:   

3. To enlist as a supplier, please note:

  1. All products and packaging must be properly bar-coded according to GS1 standards
  2. You must register on GS1 South Africa
  3. You must use the online Shoprite Supplier Portal to receive orders.
  4. The buyer will schedule your product packaging artwork approval appointment.  The relevant information will be reviewed by our buying department for regulatory compliance; all products have to meet the requirements of local standards authorities.

If your product / service is accepted by our buying department, you will receive the necessary application forms and list of statutory documentation to return to us.  

4. Trading Agreement

Suppliers will be required to sign our Supplier Trading Agreement, Standard Terms and Conditions of Supply and submit all supporting documents to the relevant buyer.  At this point, the supplier will require:   

  1. Legal entity registration certificate
  2. Cancelled cheque
  3. Copy of a tax invoice
  4. VAT certificate (if applicable)
  5. Receive a copy of the Trade Creditors Guideline
  6. Food safety confirmation

New suppliers will receive a copy of the Shoprite Trade Creditor Guidelines to ensure that they know how to transact with us and to use the Business to Business (B2B) Supplier Portal.

5. Supplier Confirmation

The relevant buyer will inform you if the application to become a supplier was successful.  If your application has been approved, you will receive a supplier number which you use to register on the Business to Business (B2B) Supplier Portal.  You will only be able to register on the portal once you have been allocated a supplier number.  

You are welcome to contact us should you require any further information or clarity.

6. Submission of B-BBEE status/certificate information

It is a requirement that all suppliers, approved to trade with the Shoprite Group, provide us with their B-BBEE status/certificate. Please note that this information must be provided even if you are currently not B-BBEE compliant.

We have adopted an online capturing system via our Business to Business (B2B) Supplier Portal that must be completed on an annual basis. Suppliers are required to complete a form and upload their B-BBEE certificate or affidavit*.

* For businesses that qualify as Exempted Micro Enterprises (EME’s) or Black Owned Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSE’s) in terms of the B-BBEE act, are not required to present a B-BBEE certificate. These businesses must complete an Affidavit, signed by a Commissioner of Oaths, and upload to the B2B/Supplier Portal it instead of the B-BBEE certificate. 

 

Contact this buying team