Choppies Turns 10, Rewards 40 Clients

Retailer conducts digitised Big Birthday Bonanza under government and regulatory oversight

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

Lusaka, Zambia — Choppies Zambia on Thursday rewarded 40 customers with motorbikes, smartphones and light trucks after conducting the final draw of its digitised Big Birthday Bonanza promotion under the supervision of government and regulatory authorities, marking 10 years of the retailer’s operations in the country.

The prize draw, held in Lusaka, was officiated by Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Lillian S. Bwalya, who praised Choppies for running the promotion in a transparent, compliant and innovative manner through an electronic system designed to ensure fairness and public accountability.

Ms Bwalya said Choppies’ growth over the past decade into a nationwide chain of 44 stores reflects investor confidence in Zambia’s economy.

She said the retail sector plays a pivotal in providing affordable goods, creating jobs and supporting local supply chains.

She noted that the use of a digital platform with independent oversight aligns with government efforts to promote digital transformation, improve service delivery and strengthen consumer protection.

She added that the presence of key regulatory and enforcement institutions at the event reinforced public trust in promotional activities.

Earlier, Choppies Zambia Country Head Felix Chitanwali said the Big Birthday Bonanza was introduced to thank customers for their loyalty since the company entered the Zambian market in 2015.

“This promotion signifies our appreciation to customers who have believed in the Choppies story for the past 10 years,” Mr Chitanwali said, adding that the retailer has continued operating despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, exchange rate volatility and global market disruptions.

He said Choppies plans to expand its footprint beyond 2026 by opening more stores in communities, offering competitive pricing and contributing to economic growth through job creation and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Mr Chitanwali also thanked suppliers for their continued partnership, describing them as key stakeholders in the success of the anniversary promotion and the company’s long-term sustainability.

Earlier, the master of ceremonies Mubiana Nalwendo explained that the promotion, which was launched in October last year, was conducted electronically to eliminate manual processes and prevent disputes often associated with traditional receipt-based draws. 

All draws were displayed live on large screens to allow public verification, with organisers confirming that all 40 winners would be announced transparently.

Representing the supplier community, Ongani Banda said sustaining a retail business for a decade demonstrates consistency and resilience in a volatile economic environment marked by currency fluctuations and rising operating costs.

He said Choppies’ commitment to affordability helps cushion Zambian consumers while maintaining stability across the retail value chain.

The anniversary event brought together government officials, suppliers, regulators, members of the media and customers, underscoring Choppies’ growing role in Zambia’s retail economy as it enters its second decade of operation.