Shoprite CEO Pieter Engelbrecht says the acquisitions of Vida e Caffè and R&A Cellular will strengthen the retailer’s coffee, quick-service restaurant and financial services businesses
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Retail giant Shoprite has announced the acquisition of South Africa’s largest speciality coffee chain, Vida e Caffè, as well as a 51% stake in payments technology company R&A Cellular.
The retailer announced the deals alongside its annual results for the 52 weeks ended 28 June 2026. The acquisitions are worth about R1 billion combined, while Shoprite reported a 12.2% increase in annual headline earnings, with headline earnings per share rising to R15.32.
Vida e Caffè is a South African coffee chain with more than 400 corporate and franchise stores across Africa.
The business operates in a range of locations, including high streets, petrol stations, drive-throughs, offices and retail centres.
Chief executive Pieter Engelbrecht said the chain’s diverse customer base and range of store formats provide a strong platform for future growth.
"Vida e Caffè (Vida), strengthens our presence in the coffee and quick-service restaurant (QSR) category while adding deep operational expertise in this fast-growing market. With 25 years of experience, Vida has established itself as South Africa’s leading coffee brand, operating approximately 400 corporate and franchise stores nationwide," he said.
"Its broad and demographically diverse customer base is supported by a range of store formats, including high street, forecourt, drive-thru, corporate office and retail locations, as well as an increasingly integrated digital offering."
Engelbrecht said the acquisition of R&A Cellular would support Shoprite’s financial services growth strategy and expand its reach into the informal retail market.
"The transaction forms part of the Group’s financial services growth strategy and will enable the meaningful scaling of the R&A Cellular platform by expanding the installed device base nationally across informal retailers, broadening their value‑added services (VAS) offering, and embedding the use of the Group’s financial services products within the R&A Cellular ecosystem," he added.
"These initiatives are expected to drive growth, deepen customer engagement, and extend the Group’s financial services reach into the informal sector."
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