South African retailer Massmart posted lower nine-month sales due to COVID-19 restrictions, which included a 1.1 billion rand hit from the reintroduction of a liquor sale ban.
'The further easing of COVID-19 related trading restrictions marked slightly better trading conditions for the third quarter of 2020,' the company said.
'While we saw an increase in foot traffic in most of our stores, the re-introduction of a full ban on liquor sales from mid-July to mid-August had a negative impact on Massmart's total sales.'
Massmart said total sales fell 8.9% to 60.5 billion rand (€3.15 billion) for the nine months ended September 27, but added conditions were improving on easing of virus-led curbs.
Elsewhere, the retailer has announced the appointment of Sylvester John, the Walmart North America Vice President for Last Mile Delivery to lead the Massmart e-commerce team.
John has extensive senior level retail experience in the US and Africa, having worked in a wide range of business development activities including merchandising and operations, the retailer said.
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