Become a large supplier

Our Edible, Non-Edible Groceries and Fresh Foods category is for all suppliers, micro to large, supplying any kind of everyday groceries. Applications are open for businesses operating on a regional or national scale.

Edible groceries include products such as tinned goods, preserves, and more, whereas non-edible groceries refer to items like cleaning products and toiletries. Fresh foods include meat products, baked goods, and more.

If you’re interested in becoming a supplier to the Group, please read the following supplier checklist and requirements. 

All legal and statutory requirements must be adhered to for the applicable country where your products will be sold.

To apply, you’ll need to: 

• Refer to the South African National Standard 10049 and/or CODEX with regard to management of food hygiene and safety as a guideline. 
• Comply with Shoprite’s mandatory minimum food safety requirements, including an audit report(s) and/or certificate(s). 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. 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 areas) and pet foods. A list of approved audit service providers can be viewed here. 

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

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

All food products should comply with the following standards: 

• Foodstuffs Cosmetics and Disinfectant Act (Act 54 of 1972) 
• Agricultural Products Standards Act (Act 119 of 1990) 
• Compulsory Standards (as per the Department of Trade and Industry) 
• 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.

Should you be enlisted as a supplier, you will also need or have to comply with the following.

To enlist as a supplier, please ensure:

• You meet all the quality assurance and food safety requirements. 
• All products and packaging are properly bar-coded according to GS1 standards. 
• You are registered on GS1 South Africa. 
• You use the online Shoprite Supplier Portal to receive orders. You will receive a supplier number to register on the Business to Business (B2B) Supplier Portal only if your supplier application is approved. The relevant buyer will be in touch.
• Your product packaging meets the requirements of local authorities. Our buying team will schedule your product packaging artwork approval appointment and the relevant information will be reviewed for regulatory compliance. 

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

Trading agreement

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

1. Legal entity registration certificate 
2. Proof of banking details (not older than three months) 
3. Copy of a tax invoice 
4. VAT certificate (if applicable)
5. Food safety confirmation (if applicable) 

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 our Business to Business (B2B) Supplier Portal. 

Supplier confirmation

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

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

Submission of B-BBEE status/certificate information

All suppliers approved to trade with the Shoprite Group are required to provide us with their B-BBEE status/certificate. Please note 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 annually. Suppliers are required to complete a form and upload their B-BBEE certificate or affidavit*.

*Businesses that qualify as exempted micro enterprises (EME’) or black owned qualifying small enterprises (QSE’) 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 it to the B2B Supplier Portal instead of the B-BBEE certificate.