Pick n Pay Names Woolworths Food Executive Spencer Sonn as CEO-Designate

Pick n Pay Names Woolworths Food Executive Spencer Sonn as CEO-Designate. Pick n Pay has appointed retail executive Spencer Sonn as its next CEO-designate, with Sonn set to join the retailer on 1 February 2027.

Sonn will work alongside current CEO Sean Summers during a planned leadership transition, ahead of Summers’ contract expiring in May 2028.

The appointment forms part of Pick n Pay’s succession planning as the retailer continues its turnaround under Summers.

Sonn joins Pick n Pay after a 26-year career at Woolworths South Africa, including five years as managing director of its Food Division. His experience covers grocery and fresh food retail, as well as operational and executive leadership roles.

Pick n Pay said Sonn’s background would add further grocery expertise to its leadership team as the company continues its turnaround.

Sonn also has international retail experience from New Zealand, where he worked in a market that included franchise and corporate stores and a workforce of around 22,000 employees.

The extended transition period is intended to allow Sonn to become familiar with the business and work closely with Summers before taking over the leadership role.

Summers said Sonn’s experience and leadership background made him suited to the position.

“Throughout our engagements, Spencer has expressed enormous admiration for the values and founding principles that Pick n Pay was built on,” Summers said.

He added that Sonn had demonstrated leadership capabilities throughout his career and had been involved in driving food retail growth in previous roles.

For Sonn, the appointment marks a new chapter after more than two decades in grocery retail.

“This is an exciting challenge for me after working across every part of grocery retailing,” Sonn said. “I am looking forward to working closely with Sean.”

Sonn said he viewed Pick n Pay as a strong and much-loved brand with potential and that he looked forward to contributing to its turnaround and working with its employees.