Goodbye to a Retail Legend: Pick n Pay Founder Raymond Ackerman Dies
Retail legend and visionary founder of Pick n Pay Raymond Ackerman has died.
He was 92 years old.
Pick n Pay founder Dies
News of the entrepreneur’s death was confirmed by Pick n Pay on Thursday, September 7, 2023, stating;
“With profound sadness, we announce that Pick n Pay founder Raymond Ackerman has passed away. A visionary entrepreneur, humanitarian, and a great South African. Our country has lost a brilliant patriot who always saw a positive future for South Africa. 🇿🇦”
With profound sadness we announce that Pick n Pay founder Raymond Ackerman has passed away.
A visionary entrepreneur, humanitarian and a great South African. Our country has lost a brilliant patriot who always saw a positive future for South Africa.🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/Io0uunYhAJ— Pick n Pay (@PicknPay) September 7, 2023
Raymond Ackerman leaves behind a loving family, including his wife Wendy, children Gareth, Kathy, Suzanne, and Jonathan, 12 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.
Raymond Ackerman with his wife Wendy (Image Credit: News24)A Retail Visionary’s Beginnings
Raymond Ackerman’s journey in the world of retail began with humble roots. Born on March 10, 1931, he hailed from a retailing family, with his father establishing the Ackermans clothing store after World War I.
However, it was in 1967 that Ackerman’s entrepreneurial spirit truly shone. Fueled by his desire to provide affordable prices to customers, he purchased four small stores in Cape Town, which marked the inception of Pick n Pay.
A Business Built on Values
Raymond Ackerman’s success was not solely measured in profits but in his unwavering commitment to core values. Pick n Pay, under his leadership, became a household name, driven by the principles that “the customer is queen” and that “doing good is good business.”
These values, which guided the business for over 56 years, transformed Pick n Pay into a retail giant, serving millions of customers in more than 2,000 stores across South Africa and seven other African countries.
A Lasting Legacy
Mr. Ackerman’s influence extended beyond the realm of retail. He championed social responsibility as one of the “four legs of the table” in his business philosophy, alongside Administration, People and Merchandise, and Marketing. His commitment to giving back to the community and treating others with respect earned him the title of a “visionary South African.”
