Pick n Pay has named Spencer Sonn as its CEO-designate, Moneyweb reports. Sonn previously led Woolworths Food, according to the same outlet.
The appointment was reported on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, and was carried by several South African business publications, including Business Day, News24, BusinessTech and IOL. Business Day and Moneyweb both identify Sonn by name in their headlines, while BusinessTech describes him as a Woolworths executive.
The reporting indicates the role is a designate position, meaning Sonn is lined up to take over the top job rather than stepping into it immediately. IOL's coverage frames the announcement around what happens next at the retailer, though the available material does not set out a transition timetable or a start date.
The move places an executive with grocery retail experience at the head of one of South Africa's largest supermarket groups. Moneyweb's headline describes Sonn as the former boss of Woolies Food, the food division of rival retailer Woolworths.
The reports do not include comment from Pick n Pay, Woolworths or Sonn, and no financial terms or reasons for the appointment are given in the material available.
What to watch next: confirmation from Pick n Pay of when Sonn formally takes over, and how the transition from the current leadership is structured.
