Africa’s retail hot-spots named

Rwanda, Nigeria, Namibia, Tanzania and Gabon are the top five countries most attractive for retail expansion, a study has revealed. The new study published by AT Kearney, a global strategy consultancy firm, is designed to help large, organised retailers determine where and how to best enter sub-Saharan Africa’s rapidly growing retail sector. The 2014 Africa Retail Development Index (ARDI) ranked South Africa seventh. According to a spokesman, the ARDI is a useful framework for retailers not only because it identifies the markets in Africa most attractive for retail expansion today, but those that offer the most potential for the future. South African brands and retailers have been at the forefront of African expansion but may soon see global competition coming in.