Who Is OK Zimbabwe Limited?
Our History and Evolution
OK Zimbabwe Limited was first incorporated as Springmaster Corporation in 1953 and changed its name to Deltrade Limited in 1984, before adopting its current name in July 2001.
The inaugural branch was opened along First Street in Harare (then Salisbury) in 1942 and the second branch along Jason Moyo Avenue in Bulawayo in 1952. A further five outlets had been opened across the country by the end of 1960. In 1977, Delta Corporation acquired the business operations in Springmaster Corporation (now OK Zimbabwe Limited), which they held until the de-merger in October 2001. In 2011, the Group acquired the two Makro operations in Harare and Bulawayo which saw the birth of a new store brand, OKmart. To date, there are eight OKmart Mega Stores in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Kwekwe, Masvingo, Mutare, Victoria Falls and Chivhu.
OK Zimbabwe Limited has since diversified over the years to become a leading customer oriented retail Group offering comprehensive access to a broad range of products and allied services. In 2022, the Group successfully concluded negotiations for the acquisition of the Food Lovers’ Market retail outlets in Harare and Bulawayo. The negotiations included the acquisition of a Territorial License Agreement that will see the company refreshing the existing Food Lover’s Market stores and expanding the brand representation on the Zimbabwean market.
The business also took over the previously franchised pharmaceutical stores in 2022, and rolled out six in-store pharmacies in Glenview, Borrowdale, Mount Pleasant, Avondale, Masvingo and Hillside under the new brand ‘Alowell’, becoming the first Food Retailer in Zimbabwe’s history to successfully adopt and perfect the in-store pharmaceutical business model.
Our Business Operations
OK Zimbabwe Limited is a leading customer oriented retail Group whose business covers a diverse range of categories comprising of Groceries, Butchery, Takeaway and Deli, Bakery, Clothing and Textiles, Liquor, Houseware, Hardware, Fruit and Vegetable and Pharmaceutical product lines.
OK Zimbabwe Limited trades under four main highly recognised brand names, OK, OKmart, Bon Marche’ and Food Lover’s Market. The diversified distribution channel allows the Group to target all segments of the market. The Group has specifically profiled its stores in terms of design, product range, services and other offerings in a way that effectively caters for the specific requirements in the low, middle and high income consumer categories.
OK Zimbabwe Limited has maintained its position as one of the dominant supermarket retailer in the country’s competitive retail sector, despite the effect of liquidity constraints and low disposable incomes. The business boasts of its own high-quality in-house brands which include Shopperschoice, Top Notch and Premierchoice with a diverse range of products that are readily available across all OK Zimbabwe Limited store brands.
The business aims to further strengthen its position in the retail sector by adapting to evolving market trends and consumer preferences through strategic initiatives premised on continued expansion and innovation in product offerings, leveraging on technology to enhance operational efficiency and customer engagement. With a focus on providing quality goods and enhancing customer experience, OK Zimbabwe Limited remains committed to serving local communities and contributing to the country’s economic development.