South African retailer Pick n Pay announced on September 22, 2026, the appointment of Spencer Sonn, a former Woolworths executive, as its chief executive officer-designate. Sonn will commence his role on February 1, 2027, and will work with current CEO Sean Summers until Summers' contract expires in May 2028. This extended transition period is designed to facilitate a smooth leadership handover and ensure continuity in the company's ongoing turnaround efforts.
Sonn brings 26 years of experience from Woolworths South Africa, including five years as managing director of its Food Division. His expertise spans grocery and fresh food retail, covering both operational and executive leadership. He also has international experience from New Zealand. His appointment is expected to bolster Pick n Pay's leadership with additional grocery expertise as the retailer focuses on restoring profitability and market share, particularly in its core Pick n Pay supermarket business.
Sean Summers, who returned to Pick n Pay in 2023 to lead the recovery, stated that Sonn's experience made him a strong fit for the role. The company's turnaround strategy has involved a recapitalization, the listing of its discounter Boxer business, and efforts to restore competitiveness. Pick n Pay's financial turnaround has been described as a multi-year process, with management having previously acknowledged that the initial three-year timeline might be longer, and the target for reaching break-even was pushed out to FY29 from FY28. The company's operating loss reduced by 5.4% to R386 million in the 52 weeks to March 1, though the Pick n Pay trading loss increased to R1 billion.
Summers emphasized that the turnaround is on track, supported by improving topline growth and renewed operational disciplines. He highlighted that while Pick n Pay's trading loss increased, the business is fundamentally stronger than two-and-a-half years ago. The transition with Sonn is intended to support the sustained execution of this strategy, ensuring that the company continues its recovery journey. Analysts, like Casparus Treurnicht from Gryphon Asset Management, have expressed a desire for greater improvement in trading margins and more visible signs of recovery in Pick n Pay's core supermarkets at this stage.
