Boxer has reached another defining milestone in its remarkable growth journey, officially opening its 600th store, Boxer Superstores Etwatwa Crossing in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.

The milestone comes less than a year after Boxer celebrated the opening of its 550th store and reflects the continued momentum of one of Southern Africa’s fastest-growing discount retailers. From its beginnings in KwaZulu-Natal in 1977, Boxer has developed into a national retail business with a rapidly expanding store network, significant supply chain infrastructure and a workforce that now exceeds 37,000 team members.

For Boxer, however, 600 stores represents far more than another number on the map. It is a reflection of sustained investment in communities, people, infrastructure and partnerships, as the business continues to expand its ability to deliver affordable products and services to millions of customers.

Building the infrastructure to support growth

Boxer’s expanding retail footprint is supported by a distribution network that has grown alongside the business. The company’s seventh Distribution Centre in Tongaat, KwaZulu-Natal, is fully operational, significantly strengthening Boxer's supply chain capacity and supporting its future store rollout programme.

The 32,000m² facility has been designed to service up to 120 stores and improve proximity to Boxer's growing store network, enabling greater stock availability, shorter lead times and more frequent deliveries. The facility also has provision for a further 10,000m² of future expansion.

This investment forms part of Boxer's long-term approach to building the infrastructure required to support sustainable expansion while maintaining the operational efficiencies that underpin its discount retail model.

Growth that creates opportunity

Boxer's expansion continues to translate into employment opportunities across the communities in which it operates.

During FY26 alone, Boxer created approximately 3,400 new jobs by the end of that financial year. Continued store openings and expansion since then have seen the Boxer team grow to more than 37,000 employees across the business.

This growth extends beyond direct employment. Every new store strengthens a wider ecosystem involving suppliers, producers, landlords, developers, logistics providers, manufacturers and service partners. It also creates additional opportunities for smaller and emerging suppliers to participate in a growing retail network, supported by increasingly sophisticated distribution infrastructure and access to a broad customer base.

A milestone built by people

Boxer CEO Marek Masojada said reaching 600 stores is an achievement shared by every person and partner who has contributed to the company's journey. “Reaching 600 stores is an incredibly proud moment for Boxer, but what excites me most is what sits behind that number. It represents thousands of Boxer team members, millions of customers, long-standing supplier and business partnerships and hundreds of communities that have welcomed us and allowed us to become part of their everyday lives.”

“Our growth has never simply been about opening more stores. It is about building a stronger business that can create jobs, support suppliers, invest in infrastructure and, most importantly, continue delivering exceptional value to our customers. From our first store in 1977 to store number 600 today that commitment has remained unchanged.”

Masojada added that Boxer's investment in its distribution network, people and operational capacity provides a strong platform for the next phase of growth. “The opening of our seventh Distribution Centre and the continued expansion of our store network demonstrate that we are investing ahead of our growth. We remain extremely excited about the opportunity that lies ahead for Boxer and for the partners, people and communities who are growing with us.”

600 stores, with more to come

The opening of Boxer Superstores Etwatwa Crossing comes as Boxer continues to execute its long-term store rollout strategy and strengthen its position as South Africa's leading grocery discounter. For stakeholders, suppliers and partners, the 600-store milestone provides another clear signal of the scale of the opportunity ahead.

For customers, the promise remains much simpler.

As Boxer grows, it will continue working to bring quality products, convenient services and exceptional value closer to the communities it serves, while remaining true to the promise that has underpinned its growth for nearly five decades: Never pay more than the Boxer price.

Whatsapp