Ackerman family resign control of Pick n Pay

Don't want to quibble, but Raymond Ackerman did not establish Pick n Pay; he bought it as a small chain from Harry Goldin, who later founded Clicks. Under R Ackerman's stewardship, PnP knocked spots off Checkers (with whom he'd had a spat), but lately Checkers has fought back, especially with its delivery service. Woollies also seems to be losing its edge. Viva the competition.

Raymond Ackerman was a very special person. In the mid 80's we did our weekly shopping at the (then) PnP head office in Protea rd. Quite a few times Raymond would be there talking to till assistants as well as customers - and he NEVER forgot you! When last did a store manger come and greet you?

It is very sad to see the decline of PnP, they had their time in the sun but the world changes. I am pleased to see AIH and Gareth Ackerman step back, even if they had no choice, a good example for many others in our country...! I wish the new management all the best in working to retrieve their sustainability.

Having worked at the Pick n Pay head office, this news brings mixed emotions, but one word springs to mind: KARMA. The division I worked in, the "C" division, was headed by a tyrant. There was a high turnover of talented staff, with most mentioning how toxic and sexist the office space was. Many people have walked out and turned their backs on Pick n Pay. I would rather drive 20 minutes further than give them a cent!

This is so devastating. PnP has always been my favorite Super and Hypermarket. When I was a kid going to the Gigantic PnP in Brackenfell with my mom and siblings was a major monthly event. I recall even at the smallest PnP you could find almost anything. But yes, things have taken a turn for the worse. I have the same experience that the staff and PnP are clueless when you ask for something and frankly does not seem to care. The PnP in Langebaan is a tragedy. It’s all very upsetting. Others like Shoprite and Checkers has sailed past PnP - seems PnP never even noticed until much much later. An iconic supermarket group and childhood retailer reduced to nothing by the affliction that seems to flourish in South Africa: Incompetente

PnP is where they are because of their staff and management. I stopped shopping there many years ago for this reason. They treat customers with contempt and this hasn't changed over the years judging by most of the comments. Staff and management needs to realize that it is mutually beneficial for both parties to work together to bring success to any organization... Both parties have failed to do so... The saddest part is that PnP was once a brightly shining SA institution which now has also failed all its stakeholders.

A fishy story: Every week for the past ten years I have bought Bismark herrings (ugh) for my father-in-law at PnP in Constantia. Every week I have to return to the deli counter several times until someone shows up to serve there. Every week I watch them drip brine into other dishes as they put herring in the container. Every week I have to ask them to wrap the dripping container. And every week, for the past ten years, they can't find the code for Bismark herring in the system and opt to charge it as 'exotic salad' or 'roll mops' which is more expensive than marked on the dish. Then every week I have to deal with my aged father-in-law's outrage at being ripped off by a few cents. I used to complain, speak to supervisors, get promises that head office is fixing the system, but nothing changed and eventually I just accepted it. It's a small thing that becomes a major irritant and a brand detractor. It's an indication of management indifference. Raymond would not have tolerated it.