Data shows extremely large pay gaps and poor leadership diversity in JSE-listed wholesale and retail sector

Loading player...
GUEST – Kwanele Ngogela – Just Share senior inequality analyst

The average lowest paid worker in the wholesale and retail sector would need to work for 21 months to earn what an average CEO in this sector earns in one day.

New research by Just Share looks at ten JSE-listed companies in the wholesale and retail space, based on analysis of these companies’ most recent public disclosures. The research highlights significant pay gaps and poor levels of diversity at the board and management level.

Shoprite Holdings, Pick n Pay, Pepkor Holdings, The Foschini Group, Woolworths, Mr Price Group, Dis-Chem, Clicks Group, Truworths International, and Spar Group together employ 389,766 full-time employees and account for R833.7 billion in yearly revenue. Overall, the wholesale and retail sector is the second-largest employer in South Africa after government, employing about 17% of the workforce.

The sector’s performance on gender and racial diversity at board and top management levels is mixed, with disappointingly low targets set by several of the companies analysed here.
11 Sep 2024 2PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

South Africa’s Solar Power Development on the Rise

Local independent power producer Mulilo today announced the financial close of what it calls one of the largest utility-scale solar developments in the country. The 380 MW Beaufort West Solar PV project will generate approximately 818 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity annually. Joining us with the details is Stuart Macwilliam, Mulilo…
20 Apr 4PM 15 min

SA Inflation Risks Are Rising

With CPI easing to 3% in February but global pressures mounting, Nedbank economist Isaac Matshego breaks down what to expect from this week’s inflation print, the resilience of household spending, and the outlook for borrowing costs in the second half of 2026.
20 Apr 4PM 8 min

Inside the JSE’s 2026 SME Acceleration Strategy

The JSE launched its 2026 Enterprise Acceleration Programme, welcoming 12 high‑potential SMEs and building on the success of previous cohorts. Vuyo Lee discusses the programme’s evolution and its impact on scaling founder‑led businesses.
20 Apr 4PM 8 min

Careers Corner: Fuel Shock Forces Rethink of Workplace Models

Rising fuel and energy costs are pushing companies to revisit remote and hybrid work. CDH’s Rashaad Dadoo outlines the legal obligations, fairness considerations, and compliance risks employers must manage as flexible work models re-enter strategic planning.
20 Apr 4PM 15 min

Wealth Creation: Why SA Investors Need Alternatives

With the JSE representing less than 1% of global investable markets, South Africans face concentration risk at home. Anchor Capital’s Darryl Hannington explores the rise of private equity, private debt, hedge funds, and offshore assets—and how alternatives can strengthen portfolios in an inflation‑driven world.
20 Apr 4PM 16 min