To understand the rise and success of Ackermans more clearly, let’s take it back to 1916 when Gus Ackerman, the father of Raymond Ackerman(Pick N Pay founder), opened the first Ackermans store in Wynberg, Cape Town, setting a benchmark for price competitiveness that few could match.
Gus’s vision was simple: making quality products affordable to everyone. The Ackermans brand appealed to the value-seeking consumer and attracted a broad audience.
After graduating from University, Raymond went to work for his father’s business as a trainee manager in 1951. However, his first position at the company was a store greeter.
In this way, Gus hoped to instill the importance of politeness for the store’s customers, while at the same time, also helping Raymond overcome his shyness.
As time went on, he was promoted to work at the company’s distribution warehouse, where he worked for 2+ years.
By 1960, the chain had shown promising growth and was sold to department store rival, Greatermans. Rumor has it that Greatermans reportedly took its name from its ambition to be greater than Ackermans.
Anyways back to the story. Part of the deal Gus made when he sold Ackermans was that his son would get a position at Greatermans, where he had the opportunity to manage Checkers(then owned by Greatermans) and later on launch Pick N Pay.
In the late 70s, Ackermans changed hands once again and was sold to Edgars who maintained its successful price discounter position.
Pepkor acquired Ackermans in 1984, during that time there were 34 stores across the country. Pepkor’s management quickly realised that the strategy of adding value to the low price formula would put Ackermans in a better position for growth, and it was at this point that Ackermans began its present period of exceptional growth.
By the early 2000s, Ackermans had grown to over 200 stores across Southern Africa, catering to all value conscious consumers.
Today, there are more than 950 Ackermans stores operating in six countries, and Gus Ackerman’s vision remains at the heart of them all.
