South African billionaire Christo Wiese’s Shoprite stake drops below $1 billion—first time in months

Key Points

• The South African billionaire’s holdings in Shoprite have fallen below $1 billion as retail stocks face pressure on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
• Despite a 9.5% sales increase, Shoprite’s stock has fallen 6.62% in 2025, reflecting investor concerns over inflation and shifting consumer trends.
• Despite Shoprite’s dip, Wiese retains a $1.6 billion net worth, backed by stakes in Collins Property, Brait, Invicta, and Premier Group.

Christo Wiese, the South African billionaire who played a pivotal role in shaping Shoprite Holdings into Africa’s largest retailer, has seen the value of his stake in the company drop below $1 billion for the first time since October 2024. The decline reflects growing pressure on retail stocks in South Africa, as investor sentiment shifts on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). 

Wiese, who holds a 10.67 percent stake in Shoprite—equivalent to 63,118,920 shares—has recorded paper losses exceeding $67 million so far this year. His stake is now worth about $950 million, a sharp reversal from 2024 when a strong rally in Shoprite’s stock pushed his stake above $1 billion. That surge has faded in recent months, mirroring broader concerns about South Africa’s retail sector.

Shoprite’s revenue rises, stock slips

Shoprite Holdings, Africa’s largest retailer, continues to cement its dominance with more than 3,600 stores and a workforce of 150,000. The company reported a 9.5 percent increase in total sales for the first half of its 2025 fiscal year, generating over $6.8 billion in revenue.

The growth came from strong performances across its supermarket division, the Checkers Sixty60 e-commerce platform, and its LiquorShop segment. Shoprite also expanded aggressively in 2024, adding 248 stores in South Africa and strengthening brands like Petshop Science and Uniq clothing.

But despite these gains, its stock has taken a hit. Investors remain cautious, concerned about inflation and changing consumer spending habits that have put pressure on the broader retail sector.

Since Jan. 1, Shoprite’s share price has dropped 6.62 percent, falling from R294.5 ($16.14) to R275 ($15.12). That decline has pulled the company’s market value below $9 billion, trimming some of the gains its largest shareholder, Christo Wiese, had previously enjoyed.

Christo Wiese’s net worth holds strong

For Wiese, the recent dip in his Shoprite holdings is a sharp contrast to late 2024, when his stake was worth more than $1 billion during a stronger market run. Despite the setback, he remains deeply invested in the company’s future while holding significant stakes in Collins Property Group, Brait, Invicta Holdings, and Premier Group.

Even with the stock’s recent struggles, Wiese’s net worth stands at $1.6 billion, according to Forbes, keeping him among Africa’s richest business figures. While the market fluctuates, his influence in shaping Africa’s retail industry—and his standing among the world’s wealthiest individuals—remains firmly intact.