Pick n Pay getting a new CEO

Pick n Pay has appointed Spencer Sonn as its CEO designate. He is set to take over from the current CEO, Sean Summers, in May 2028.

Sonn will work closely with Summers starting from 1 February 2027. This comes before the end of Summers’s contract with Pick n Pay in May 2028.

Pick n Pay announced Sonn’s appointment on Tuesday, 22 September, saying that Sonn is a highly experienced leader.

The company said Sonn has deep operational retail experience, strong credentials in fresh food and grocery, and impressive international experience.

Sonn has spent the majority of his career at Woolworths, which he joined in 2002 as a Category Manager.

He served as managing director at Woolworths New Zealand for five years before returning to Woolworths South Africa as its Chief Customer Officer.

“Spencer brings to Pick n Pay a wealth of retail knowledge as well as a proven track record of leadership in some challenging conditions in New Zealand,” Pick n Pay said. 

“His experience abroad is particularly valuable given the similarities to Pick n Pay’s operations in that it encompassed both Franchise and Corporate stores, and 22,000 employees.”

Sonn is slated to take over from Summers, who has been leading the retailer’s turnaround since he returned to the helm in 2023.

Pick n Pay explained that an integral part of Summers’ role was identifying a successor in good time before his contract expires in May 2028.

“This gives ample time for Sonn to settle into executive leadership and work with Summers on the company’s turnaround,” the retailer said.

Summers said that Sonn has expressed enormous admiration for the values and founding principles that Pick n Pay was built on.

“He considers it a privilege to be joining a brand, a business and a team that plays such a vital role in the lives of millions of South Africans,” Summers said.

“We are in the very fortunate position of being able to appoint a highly skilled executive of Spencer’s calibre.” 

“In his previous positions, he demonstrated his outstanding talent as a leader and was the architect of much of his previous company’s food retailing success. He is an exceptionally worthy leader for Pick n Pay.”

Sonn referred to the appointment as an “exciting challenge” for him after working across every part of grocery retailing. “I am looking forward to working closely with Sean,” he said. 

“Pick n Pay is a strong and much-loved brand with enormous potential and motivated loyal people.”

“I am looking forward to playing my part in continuing the turnaround and being part of the family.”