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Pepkor (PEP / Ackermans / Tekkie Town) jobs and careers in South Africa
Pepkor Holdings is Africa's largest discount retailer and one of South Africa's five biggest private-sector employers — a JSE-listed group running more than 5,900 stores under PEP, Ackermans, Tekkie Town, Refinery, Dunns, Shoe City, Incredible Connection, Flash (financial services), and the JD Group (including HiFi Corp and Bradlows). The two dominant brands are PEP, which sells the most affordable clothing and household goods in South Africa, and Ackermans, which sits slightly up-market with a focus on value childrenswear, ladies fashion and footwear.
Nationwide (5,900+ stores across all 9 provinces) Stellenbosch, Western Cape (PEP Head Office) Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (Ackermans Head Office) Cape Town (Distribution Centre)
Evidence-led company research
What Pepkor (PEP / Ackermans / Tekkie Town) jobs research shows
Pepkor Holdings is Africa's largest discount retailer and one of South Africa's five biggest private-sector employers — a JSE-listed group running more than 5,900 stores under PEP, Ackermans, Tekkie Town, Refinery, Dunns, Shoe City, Incredible Connection, Flash (financial services), and the JD Group (including HiFi Corp and Bradlows). The two dominant brands are PEP, which sells the most affordable clothing and household goods in South Africa, and Ackermans, which sits slightly up-market with a focus on value childrenswear, ladies fashion and footwear.
Locations
Nationwide (5,900+ stores across all 9 provinces), Stellenbosch, Western Cape (PEP Head Office), Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (Ackermans Head Office)
Company size
46,000+
Role areas
Sales Assistant (PEP / Ackermans), Cashier, Stock Controller
Typical pay
R4,500–R45,000/month
Head office
Nationwide (5,900+ stores across all 9 provinces)
Founded
1965
What the work may be like
PEP and Ackermans stores are genuinely community-embedded — in many South African towns and townships, these are the stores where customers and staff know each other personally. 0/5 on Indeed reflects this: employees cite team spirit, shared purpose, and community belonging as the strongest aspects of working there.
The month-end period is the most demanding in the trading cycle — customer volumes surge, queues build, and pace intensifies noticeably in high-footfall township stores. December follows a similar pattern.
1/5 is one of the highest in the SA retail sector among discount chains. The structural issue that generates the most frustration is the P27 casual contract model — workers who contribute full hours but receive no-work-no-pay terms and no formal leave entitlement until converted to permanent status.
Hiring and application process
To apply for roles at Pepkor’s PEP, Ackermans or Tekkie Town stores, candidates submit online applications via the group’s career portal or major South African job platforms, attaching ID, proof of education and contactable references. Screening starts with CV review against minimum requirements (Grade 10 accepted for many store positions, Matric preferred for cashier or stock roles), followed by a basic numeracy or customer-service assessment, an in-store or telephonic interview, and a compulsory criminal-record check.
The full process from application to offer typically takes two to four weeks. Prepare by demonstrating reliability and a willingness to learn, as Pepkor trains all new staff from scratch with no prior retail experience required.
Who may be a good fit
- First-time job seekers in townships and smaller towns where PEP and Ackermans are often the primary accessible formal employer. Also for Grade 10 holders who cannot yet meet Matric requirements at other chains, and for candidates who want the fastest confirmed hire in SA retail (typically 1 week).
- 3.9/5 overall on Indeed (675 reviews) — highest average rating among major SA discount clothing retailers
- Culture scores 4.0/5 — community-embedded stores where staff and customers genuinely know each other
- Grade 10 accepted for some roles — the broadest entry criteria of any major SA national retail chain
What candidates should verify
- • Casualization is the primary structural concern — many workers stay on P27 (no-work-no-pay) contracts for years without conversion to permanent employment
- • Compensation & Benefits rated 3.2/5 — entry salaries at the lower end of the retail market, especially at PEP vs Ackermans
- • Job Security & Advancement rated 3.3/5 — advancement beyond Assistant Manager requires a more competitive selection process
- • Confirm salary, shift, location and campaign details in the live vacancy.
- • Use the employer's official application channel and never pay to apply.
Open roles at Pepkor (PEP / Ackermans / Tekkie Town)
Current listings sourced from public employer and job-board pages.
There are no current public listings shown for this location. Roles can close quickly, so check the official careers page or create a free ShiftMate match alert.
What to expect
Career areas
Sales Assistant (PEP / Ackermans) · Cashier · Stock Controller · Shelf Packer · Supervisor
Entry guidance
Grade 10 accepted for some PEP store roles. Matric preferred for cashier and stock control. No prior retail experience required — group trains from scratch. Clear criminal record required.
Hiring process
To apply for roles at Pepkor’s PEP, Ackermans or Tekkie Town stores, candidates submit online applications via the group’s career portal or major South African job platforms, attaching ID, proof of education and contactable references. Screening starts with CV review against minimum requirements (Grade 10 accepted for many store positions, Matric preferred for cashier or stock roles), followed by a basic numeracy or customer-service assessment, an in-store or telephonic interview, and a compulsory criminal-record check. The full process from application to offer typically takes two to four weeks. Prepare by demonstrating reliability and a willingness to learn, as Pepkor trains all new staff from scratch with no prior retail experience required.
Training
Training is listed in public company information for some roles. Confirm the details for the vacancy you apply to.
- 675 PEP Indeed reviews, 3.9/5 overall — top-rated SA discount retailer on Indeed
- Culture rated 4.0/5 on Indeed — community-embedded stores create genuine team belonging
- Store Managers rated 4.1/5 — unusually positive management sentiment for discount retail
- Grade 10 accepted for some PEP roles — the most accessible major retail entry point in SA