Pick n Pay Otjiwarongo closed indefinitely

Pick n Pay Namibia has announced the closure of its Otjiwarongo supermarket by the end of the month.

The shop has served the Otjiwarongo community for more than 16 years.

Its closure was necessitated by lengthy renovations of the building where it is located.

Pick n Pay Namibia managing director Norbert Wurm says the property owner informed the company that the renovations would start in April and continue at least half a year.

“Following the announcement by the property owner of the planned renovations and construction of the shopping centre, and taking into consideration the safety of our employees and customers coupled with the shopping experience, Pick n Pay was left with no other option but to close the store for the foreseeable future until such time construction is completed, the date of which is undetermined at this stage,” Wurm says.

The company has taken steps to minimise the repercussions of this decision on the lives of the shop's 75 employees.

“These will include absorbing and transferring staff into current and suitable vacancies within Pick n Pay. Staff will also be offered retrenchment packages while they will also be advised of any future vacancies for which the affected parties are required to follow the standard job application process.”

Wurm says PnP will continue to add value to the Namibian economy through upgrading its shops, expanding its footprint throughout the country and creating jobs in the process.

“The recent relocation of the Oshikango store confirms our commitment to upgrading our customer experience and delivering quality to our customers. Customers can also look forward to the opening of a new Pick n Pay store at the new Dunes Mall in Walvis Bay this year,” he says.