South African retailer Pick n Pay has named Spencer Sonn, an executive from Woolworths, as its chief executive officer-designate. Sonn is scheduled to join Pick n Pay on February 1, 2027, and will collaborate with current CEO Sean Summers before officially taking over the top role when Summers' contract concludes in May 2028. This appointment is part of a planned leadership transition designed to allow Sonn ample time to integrate into the executive team and contribute to the retailer's ongoing turnaround strategy aimed at restoring profitability and market share.
Sonn brings extensive experience from his 26-year career at Woolworths South Africa, including five years as the managing director of its highly successful Food Division. His background spans grocery and fresh food retail, with expertise in both operational and executive leadership. This experience is expected to significantly enhance Pick n Pay's grocery expertise as the company continues its recovery efforts. Sonn also has international experience, having worked in challenging retail conditions in New Zealand, overseeing both franchise and corporate stores with a workforce of approximately 22,000 employees.
The leadership transition is intended to provide continuity and a structured approach to the company's turnaround. Sean Summers, who returned to Pick n Pay in 2023 to spearhead the recovery after years of weak performance, expressed confidence in Sonn's capabilities, highlighting his talent as a leader and his role in the previous company's food retailing success. Summers emphasized that a key part of his role was identifying a suitable successor well in advance of his contract expiry to ensure a smooth handover and sustained progress on the turnaround plan.
