Sean Summers returns as Pick n Pay CEO as Boone departs

Pick n Pay has announced that Pieter Boone is stepping down as Group CEO and will be replaced by Sean Summers.

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Summers returns to the group following a previous, highly successful tenure as CEO between 1999 and 2006.

Boone will assist Summers through a short handover period.

Chairperson Gareth Ackerman commented:  “I want to thank Pieter for his dedication to Pick n Pay over the past two-and-a-half years. He became our CEO while the Covid pandemic was still raging, and has led the business through some extraordinary challenges, including the transition out of the Covid lockdown, the unprecedented civil unrest in 2021, and the current load shedding crisis. Despite this, he devised and led the launch of our Ekuseni strategic plan, overseeing the very pleasing acceleration of our Boxer, Clothing and Omnichannel growth engines, and launching our new QualiSave brand.

“Unfortunately, in a very difficult environment, the performance of our core Pick n Pay business has been very challenging over the past months, and has not met expectations. Pieter accepts that the Board has decided on a change in leadership. He leaves us with our heartfelt thanks and best wishes for the future.”

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Sean Summers will take over as Group CEO with a goal to turn around the performance of the Group’s Pick n Pay retail core engine, while ensuring the continued success of the Group’s growth strategies.

He will also prioritise an effective handover plan to the next generation of leadership in the company.

Summers previously worked for the group between 1974 and 2007, rising to become Managing Director in 1996, and CEO in 1999.

He left the group in 2007.

During his tenure, Pick n Pay was the clear grocery market leader in South Africa.

The late Raymond Ackerman described Summers as “an excellent leader, who achieved remarkable things at Pick n Pay”.

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Gareth Ackerman added: “We are delighted that Sean is coming back to Pick n Pay. His knowledge and experience is unrivalled. He is passionate about getting Pick n Pay back on to the right trajectory, and winning the trust and confidence of customers new and old. He is absolutely the right person for the job at this time. 

“Sean is an inspirational leader. He will galvanise our teams, energise them to give everything for our customers, and delight the communities we serve.”

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Sean Summers said: “I am very excited to be coming home to Pick n Pay. Retailing is my passion, and this company is in my blood. I have great excitement and energy for the task ahead. 

“I am looking forward tremendously to meeting our teams up and down the country. We are in this together, and we will succeed together. 

“I enjoyed the most extraordinary years, working with the late Raymond Ackerman, and we retained a deep personal relationship to the end. The best way I can honour Raymond and Wendy’s legacy is to put Pick n Pay back onto its rightful path to growth and success. I worked closely with Gareth for many years, and we will make a great team together.”

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