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

Vehicle recalls announced by Volkswagen, Volvo, and Toyota as NCC urges consumer action

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has issued a serious warning for vehicle owners as three major automotive manufacturers, Volkswagen of South Africa (VWSA), Volvo Cars South Africa, and Toyota South Africa Motors, announce significant recalls affecting thousands of vehicles. NCC has noted the recent rise of recalls of motor vehicles…
9 Jul 4PM 23 min

How to (legally) make the most of this tax filing season

You know it’s tax season when there’s a rise in the old ‘death and taxes’ humour.says Roxanna Naidoo, Head of Global Strategy at Latita Africa unpacks how taxpayers can use tax mechanisms for their personal benefit.
9 Jul 4PM 12 min

SA owned Palladium Mine in Canada to close by 2026

Low palladium prices are forcing Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. to shut down its mine in Canada, putting 750 jobs at risk. Peter Major, director of mining at Modern Corporate Solutions unpacks the broader implications for investors and stakeholders in palladium and platinum mining companies.
9 Jul 4PM 9 min

SA nears greylist exit

Speaking in Parliament during the National Treasury’s budget vote, SA Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana highlighted the progress made since SA was placed on the list in 2023 due to concerns around money laundering controls and the country’s ability to prevent the financing of terrorism. Isaah Mhlanga, Chief Economist and Head…
9 Jul 4PM 17 min

Unpacking latest trade conditions survey

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry has released the SACCI Trade Conditions Survey for May and June 2025. CEO, Alan Mukoki gives us insights.
9 Jul 4PM 11 min