Boxer Superstores is a South African based limited-range discount supermarket that was acquired by Pick ‘n Pay Stores in 2002. A national brand with a portfolio of over 270 stores, Boxer operates across four trading brands in Southern Africa (incl. two trading brands in Swaziland), and supplied through and supported by three distribution centres. These trading brands offer a curated product range across grocery, fresh produce, general merchandise, liquor, and building material, whilst facilitating trading across the LSM 1 – 7 shopper profiles.
After a period of extensive negotiation, in May 2019 Siyazisiza entered into an agreement with Boxer Superstores for the supply of fresh produce to 12 of its stores in north-eastern KZN and to its Fresh Produce Distribution Centre in Cato Ridge (KZN). This agreement presents an exciting opportunity for previously excluded smallholder farmers in north-eastern KZN to grow and supply produce into a guaranteed market. The agreement is premised upon preferential procurement in an effort by the Boxer Superstores to improve their B-BBEE status by enabling increased access to smallholder farmers to their supply chain.
This partnership supports the core of Siyazisiza’s Small-holder Farmer Supply Chain Development into Formal Markets. The programme works at all levels of the supply chain from inputs through to market. Siyazisiza’s Supply Chain Development department regularly engages with the Fresh Produce Department at Boxer Superstores to determine product quantities and specifications. Production plans are then developed with smallholder farmers which not only ensure that the necessary quantity and quality is attained but also inform what inputs, equipment and logistics are going to be necessary. Working closely with the Agri-Enterprise & Infrastructure Development and the Institutional Development Departments, the Supply Chain Development Department then work with all stakeholders to ensure the effective flow of inputs into and products out of the supply chain.
