The expansion is part of the company’s broader initiative
to increase the group’s operational footprint and cater for a growing customer
base.
In addition to the new store openings, Simbisa also intends
to refurbish 44 of its existing outlets during this fiscal period to improve
the overall customer experience.
During the year to September 2024, Simbisa notably
increased its market share through the successful launch of new counters,
resulting in a net addition of 47 locations.
Cumulatively, the number of Simbisa trading counters rose
to 330, underscoring the company’s commitment to growth.
Significant investments were also made to renew the Pizza
Inn brand and this included the development of new products across all major
brands within the portfolio.
According to Simbisa, these strategic enhancements were
complemented by the introduction of new value offerings and a ramp-up in
promotional activities, which ultimately increased foot traffic to its
locations.
In the period under review, Simbisa’s strategic focus
included efforts to grow revenue by introduction of fresh product offerings
that cater to evolving consumer preferences.
“A net of five new company-operated counters were opened
during the quarter, with 31 additional store openings planned for the remainder
of the financial year, primarily in Zimbabwe.
“The group also has plans to refurbish and refresh 44
counters throughout the year to further enhance the customer experience,” said
Mr Basil Dioniso, Simbisa Brands Limited Holdings chief executive officer in
the trading update for the first quarter of 2025 financial year.
Intensified marketing initiatives were also launched to
stimulate top-line performance, creating greater visibility for Simbisa’s
brands.
During the quarter under review, Simbisa recorded a four
percent revenue growth compared to the same period the previous year.
The increase was driven by a significant 12 percent
year-on-year rise in customer count, after 12, 1 million customers were served
in the first quarter of the 2025 financial year.
However, Simbisa also faced several operational challenges
that impacted its profitability.The company said its operations were adversely
affected by soaring energy costs, which more than doubled year-on-year in the
same quarter.This sharp increase was largely attributable to a 54 percent hike
in electricity tariffs, coupled with persistent power outages that hindered
operational efficiency due to insufficient national power generation.
Additionally, inflationary pressures continued to strain
profit margins despite the company’s efforts to implement cost-containment
measures aimed at preserving profitability.
While Simbisa Brands Limited encountered significant
challenges, it successfully expanded its market share through proactive store
openings and achieved commendable top-line growth during the review period. Herald
Dr Dotito 
