Pepkor appears to have been a net beneficiary of Covid-19 as consumers continue to shop down while strong demand for electronics and furniture has made up for softer growth in apparel after the school year got off to a later start due to the second wave of the pandemic.
The retail group, which is majority-owned by Steinhoff International, expects to report a decent rise in first-half earnings as South Africans kitted out home offices and studies so they could continue to work and study from home. According to data from Retailers’ Liaison Committee, it has gained market share in nearly all its retail brands.