South Africa's Pick n Pay names Spencer Sonn CEO-designate

By Nqobile Dludla

JOHANNESBURG, Sept 22 (Reuters) - South African retailer Pick n Pay PIKJ.J on Tuesday named Woolworths WHLJ.J executive Spencer Sonn as chief executive officer-designate from February 1, 2027, setting in motion a planned leadership transition from CEO Sean Summers, who returned to spearhead the group's turnaround.

Sonn will work alongside Summers before taking over the top job when Summers' contract expires in May 2028, the grocery retailer said in a statement.

The appointment gives Sonn time to transition into his executive role while collaborating with Summers on a turnaround plan aimed at restoring profitability and market share at the retailer's core Pick n Pay supermarket business.

Pick n Pay brought back Summers in 2023 to lead the recovery effort after years of weak performance, overseeing a recapitalisation, the listing of discounter Boxer BOXJ.J and a restructuring of loss-making stores.

"We are in the very fortunate position of being able to appoint a highly skilled executive of Spencer's calibre," Summers said. "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."

Pick n Pay said Sonn brings 26 years of experience at rival Woolworths South Africa WHLJ.J — including five years as managing director of the food division — a key driver of the premium retailer's success and growth.

He has also held senior roles in New Zealand, where he oversaw operations spanning both franchise and corporate stores with approximately 22,000 employees.

Sonn said he was looking forward to building on the turnaround momentum.

"This is an exciting challenge for me after working across every part of grocery retailing," Sonn said. "Pick n Pay is a strong and much-loved brand with enormous potential and motivated loyal people."