Choppies, Puma partner on convenience stores

• The Latest “On The Go by Choppies” Opens At Boatle
• This is the second of two to open this month under the partnership agreement between Choppies and Puma Energy Botswana

The strategically located store is one of two to open this month as part of the two giants’ partnership agreement. The second “On the Go” is located at Mahalapye Puma Energy Service Station just at the entrance to the village, with plans to deploy more such convenience at other Puma Energy service stations towards the end of the year and beyond.

Puma Energy Botswana announced they have experienced over the years the appreciation their customers exhibit with the use of convenience stores at Puma service stations. As a result, the petroleum services company said it is paramount for their customers to not only fuel but also utilise convenience stores for and easy and quick shopping experience on the go or whilst fuelling. Puma has since successfully added convenience, affordability and choice for customers with the introduction of ‘On the Go by Choppies’ convenience stores in various parts in Botswana where Puma Energy service stations are.

The convenience store retail offering includes leading international food brands and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) as well as Choppies’ own brand for value-minded consumers. Choppies is the leading supermarket chain in Botswana with 95 retail supermarkets across the country.

In his welcome remarks, Choppies Regional Manager, Phenyo Molebatsi, said joining forces with a giant like Puma Energy is a clear indication of Choppies’ continuous efforts to bring forth innovative and convenient services to Batswana. Molebatsi observed that “On the Go by Choppies” comes at a time when customers desperately require quick, high quality and affordable goods on a daily basis, particularly commuters using the A1 to and from work on a daily basis, hence the name “On the Go.” He stated that this is the third of many such stores to be opened in and around Botswana.

The Managing Director of Puma Energy Botswana, Dominic Dhanah, noted that this collaboration aligns with Puma Energy’s purpose of energising communities to drive growth and prosperity in markets there the company operates in. Dhanah said this entails collaborating with both the government and the private sector to support the country’s development and the well-being of Batswana, hence this strategic partnership with Choppies Enterprise Limited, the leading supermarket chain in Botswana.

“This initiative is in line with our expansion strategy to make it convenient for our customers to access quality products and services across the country at relatively affordable prices across our 43 retail sites,” he noted. He commended Choppies for their resolve to open “On the Go” shop models and for choosing Puma Energy Botswana as their partner. “This partnership between our organisations will definitely offer the much-required variety in the country’s convenience retail industry,” he said.

In his keynote address, the Minister of Minerals and Energy, Lefoko Moagi, applauded Puma Energy Botswana and Choppies for the new store which brings employment opportunities for the youth in the Boatle and Ramotswa area. He encouraged both companies to grow their partnership for more such stores across the country as this will be beneficial to the socio-economic development of Botswana. Lefoko, who is also the MP for Ramotswa, implored the staff to pride themselves on offering excellent customer service and to uphold the two companies’ “very visible representation of professionalism and values’’ in all their business activities as this will retain customers and bring in new business.

In closing, Mpho Motlhabane, Puma Energy Botswana’s Marketing Manager, thanked everyone who attended the event. She said the two partners will continue to invest in this business to ensure that “On the Go by Choppies” shops at Puma service stations are accessible, clean, efficient, customer-friendly and are designed to meet and exceed customer expectations.