Mr Price CEO Mark Blair’s remuneration surged to R60 million in 2025, up from R45 million the previous year, as the retailer celebrated a milestone of 3,000 stores. The group’s aggressive expansion, including acquisitions like Yuppiechef and Studio 88, saw it open 184 new outlets in the past year alone—doubling its footprint since 2021. Financially, the company reported a 7.9% revenue increase to R40.9 billion, with operating profit hitting a record R5.8 billion. Shareholders also benefited, with dividends jumping 127% to 593.5 cents per share.
Blair’s pay boost was driven by performance-linked incentives. His short-term incentives rose to R14.9 million (from R9.6 million), while long-term incentives climbed to R36.2 million (from R27.1 million), reflecting the group’s 10.7% earnings growth. The remuneration committee highlighted his strategic leadership, with half of his bonus tied to financial metrics and the rest to operational KPIs. Despite economic headwinds, including South Africa’s downgraded GDP growth forecast, Mr Price gained market share and improved gross margins to 40.5%, crediting stronger second-half sales and cost management.
Looking ahead, the retailer remains cautious but confident. CEO Blair noted that recent acquisitions contributed R1.2 billion in operating profit and emphasized a “disciplined growth mindset” for future opportunities. While lower inflation and interest rates have eased consumer pressure, the group acknowledged uncertainties like potential US trade tariffs. With its scalable model and brand strength, Mr Price aims to outperform the market—proving that even in turbulent times, strategic expansion pays off, at least for its top executive.