Smart Money – Pick n Pay Group CEO Sean Summers

In this Smart Money with Alishia Seckam interview, Pick n Pay CEO Sean Summers discusses the retailer’s massive turnaround effort.

Summers has a long history with the retail giant, having worked for the company from 1974 to 2007, and then re-joining in 2023.

His first job was at Shell BP Service Company in 1973, after which Summers joined Pick n Pay as a training manager at the age of 20.

He became the Managing Director of Pick n Pay in 1996 and succeeded Raymond Ackerman as CEO in 1999, following the founder’s retirement.

Ackerman described Summers as “an excellent leader, who achieved remarkable things at Pick n Pay.”

He served as CEO of Pick n Pay until 2007, during which time the retailer was the clear grocery market leader in South Africa.

It even outperformed Shoprite, Africa’s largest retailer, which was under the leadership of retail legend Whitey Basson at the time.

Pick n Pay achieved an average annual revenue growth rate of 16% per annum, significantly higher than Shoprite’s average annual revenue growth rate of 11% over the same period.

Its share price increased by 476% between 1999 and his 2007 resignation, translating to an annual compounded rate of return of 24%.

Summers also bought Boxer in 2002, which proved to be one of the best business decisions in South Africa’s retail space, and has been credited for saving Pick n Pay.

He left the Group in 2007 and advanced his career in international retailing.

Summers’ return

Following a period of underperformance since Summers left the Group in 2007, Pick n Pay chairman Gareth Ackerman asked him to return.

“We are delighted that Sean is coming back to Pick n Pay. His knowledge and experience are unrivalled,” said Ackerman at the time.

“He is passionate about getting Pick n Pay back onto the right trajectory, and winning the trust and confidence of customers, new and old. He is absolutely the right person for the job at this time.”

Summers was reappointed as CEO of the Pick n Pay Group in September 2023, due to his unique understanding of the Pick n Pay and Boxer businesses and South African grocery retailing.

He is confident in his ability to turn the retailer around, having warned investors to “strap in and hold on.”

The results have already begun to show, with Pick n Pay’s 2025 financial results showing signs of the company’s turnaround.

While there is still significant progress to be made, the retailer is gradually working its way back to becoming profitable.

In March 2025, Pick n Pay became the Springboks’ official grocery retail partner.

This was motivated by a desire to reinforce the retailer’s reputation as a good corporate citizen and foster a sense of unity within the company as it undergoes an ambitious turnaround.

“As a household name rooted in South African communities, Pick n Pay is honoured to stand beside the Boks – on the field and in the hearts of millions,” said Summers.

Smart Money interview

In this interview, Summers highlights the biggest changes in the retail space between his departure from Pick n Pay in 2007 and his return to the company in 2023.

He discusses the progress Pick n Pay has made since he took the reins for a second time, explaining his feelings about the turnaround’s progress so far.

Summers then explains how he stumbled upon Boxer and what attracted him to the company at the time.

He also unpacks his vision for the future of retail in South Africa and how Pick n Pay’s turnaround strategy fits into this future.

Finally, Summers discusses Pick n Pay’s recent decision to sponsor the Springboks.

Watch the full Smart Money interview with Pick n Pay CEO Sean Summers below.