Which food retailer offers the best value? (#524)

Simon Shares

• Top40 is all about China. Economic data from China for 2022 released this week was weak, but better than expected.

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Which food retailer offers the best value?

Food inflation is still high, 12.7% YonY for December.

But likely peaked (good rains, diesel lower and reducing input costs)

Preferred food retailer?

• Always Shoprite* (JSE code: SHP). But expensive, forward PE 19.5x
• Pick n Pay (JSE code: PIK). Forward PE 20.5x and not as good as Shoprite.
• Woolies* (JSE code: WHL). Exited disaster that is Australia. Forward PE 15x and if they can also fix clothing, real winner.
• Spar (JSE code: SPP). CEO and chair exiting after bad press recently. Poland issues but forward PE 10x.

* I hold ungeared positions.

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