Retail giant OK Zimbabwe has announced the closure of its premium Food Lover’s Market outlets in Borrowdale and Avondale, Harare, citing operational challenges linked to the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency. The closures mark the latest blow to Zimbabwe’s formal retail sector, which has been struggling to remain viable under the mandatory use of ZiG at a fixed exchange rate.

The two branches, acquired by OK Zimbabwe in 2023, will cease operations in June 2025. The Greendale Food Lover’s Market store will remain operational under a separate franchise arrangement. In a social media post, Food Lover’s Market Zimbabwe bid farewell to its customers, expressing gratitude for their support and offering daily specials as a token of appreciation.

The closures are attributed to the increasingly hostile economic environment dominated by the ZiG currency. The fixed-rate system has left many retailers exposed to losses, eroding profits and inflating costs. OK Zimbabwe has closed several branches in recent months, and other retailers, such as N. Richards Group, Spar, and Pick n Pay, have also scaled down operations.

The collapse of formal retail has been accompanied by the rise of a thriving informal sector. Small-scale traders and vendors, who often deal exclusively in US dollars, have dominated the retail landscape, offering competitive pricing and convenience. Industry insiders warn that unless there’s a fundamental shift in the country’s monetary policy, more closures are imminent.

The closure of OK Zimbabwe’s upmarket branches raises concerns about the future of Zimbabwe’s formal retail sector. Will the industry recover, or will the informal sector continue to thrive?

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