Cape Town Candy Startup Secures Checkers Retail Expansion

Cape Town Candy Startup Secures Checkers Retail Expansion. A Cape Town confectionery business inspired by Mexican sweets has reached a major milestone after securing shelf space in Checkers stores through the retailer’s supplier development programme.

Ark Provisions, founded by entrepreneur Claire Swanson, has expanded into 11 Checkers stores, marking its transition from a home-based operation to a retail brand. The rollout follows the company’s participation in Shoprite’s supplier development and SMME support programme, which is designed to help small businesses meet the operational and compliance standards required to supply one of South Africa’s largest retail groups.

The business began during the Covid-19 lockdown when Swanson started experimenting with Mexican-inspired confectionery from her home in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs. What started as a small-scale venture has since evolved into a growing business with products now available on retail shelves.

According to Shoprite, Ark Provisions has experienced early sales growth during the first few weeks after its products were introduced into selected Checkers stores.

Swanson credited the retailer’s supplier development programme with helping the business prepare for the demands of supplying a national retailer.

“The support, guidance and accessibility of the programme allowed us to enter retail in a manageable way while building confidence in our ability to scale,” she said.

Preparing for retail distribution required the company to expand its production capabilities. Ark Provisions invested in food safety certification and increased its manufacturing capacity before partnering with a female-owned production facility in Maitland.

According to Shoprite, the expansion of production has also contributed to job creation through the manufacturing partnership.

The current range available at selected Western Cape Checkers stores consists of four Mexican-inspired confectionery products, reflecting the brand’s focus on introducing distinctive flavours to the local market.

While Ark Provisions remains a family-run business, the move into retail represents an important step in its growth strategy. The company said the retail partnership provides a platform to continue developing new products while exploring additional expansion opportunities.

Shoprite’s supplier development initiative forms part of the retailer’s broader efforts to support small and medium-sized enterprises by providing guidance on retail readiness, compliance and business development. The programme aims to help qualifying local businesses build the capabilities needed to supply products through the group’s retail network.