Raymond Ackerman is a successful South African businessman who made a name for himself when he acquired the Pick ”n Pay supermarket group from its founder Jack Goldin.
He acquired four stores in the 1960s and became company president until he stepped down in 2010.
Ackerman’s leadership and business acumen were instrumental in the growth and success of Pick’ Pick’ n Pay, now one of the largest and best-known supermarket chains in South Africa.
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- Full name: Raymond Ackerman
- Stage Name: Raymond Ackerman
- Date of birth: March 10, 1931
- Date of death: September 6, 2023 (age 92)
- Place of birth: Cape Town.
- Nationality: South African
- Occupation: South African businessman
- Height: 5’75’7
- Parents: Gus Ackerman
- Siblings: 6, Luella Ackerman and Minnie Ackerman.
- Spouse: Wendy Ackerman
- Children: 4, Gareth Ackerman, Kathryn Ackerman, Suzanne Ackerman and Jonathan Ackerman
- Relationship: married
- Net worth: $600 million
Early life and education
Raymond Ackerman is a prominent South African businessman and philanthropist. He was born on 10 March 1931 in Cape Town. He was raised by his father, Gus Ackerman, son of the founder of the Ackerman clothing group, and his mother, whose name is not known to the media.
Raymond has six siblings, including Luella Ackerman and Minnie Ackerman. He is of Jewish and black descent and is Catholic.
Raymond attended Bishops College and the University of Cape Town (UCT), where he developed a strong sense of social responsibility that has been evident throughout his successful career.
Career
Ackerman’s successful career in retail began at an early age. He was born into a family deeply involved in business. His father, Gus Ackerman, founded the Ackerman Clothing Corporation, laying the foundation for Raymond’s future success.
After completing his studies, he joined the Greatermans Group and eventually became the head of Checkers, South Africa’s first supermarket chain. Under his leadership, Checkers experienced rapid growth and expansion, cementing Ackerman’s reputation as a visionary businessman.
His greatest achievement, however, was yet to come – founding and building the Pick ’n Pay supermarket chain, a revolution in South African retail.
Despite his success, Raymond Ackerman, founder of Pick’n Pay, was unexpectedly fired from his previous job at Checkers. However, he used this failure to pursue his entrepreneurial spirit.
Using his severance pay and a bank loan, he bought four small stores in Cape Town and turned them into the retail giant we know today. Under his leadership, Pick ’n Pay saw tremendous growth and innovation, setting new standards for the industry.
Ackerman’s legacy extends beyond revolutionizing retail; he is also known for his contributions to social responsibility, philanthropy and ethical business practices. His impact on the South African community and the retail industry will never be forgotten.
Awards and nominations
Important Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award from the CNBC All Africa Business Leadership Awards (AABLA)
- Honorary Doctor of Laws, Rhodes University
- Honorary Doctorate of Commerce, University of Cape Town
- Pioneer Award from the SA Shopping Centre Council
- Lifetime Achievement Award from The Sunday Times
- Paul Harris Scholarship Award from Rotary International
- David Rockefeller Prize for Bridging Leadership in Africa (with wife Wendy)
- Top 100 Greatest South Africans (ranked 79th)
Additional Titles
- Outstanding South African Youth Award 1965
- Named one of the world’s 100 greatest business leaders by the Financial Times
- Honored by the Woodrow Wilson Center with Trevor Manuel
Social media
Raymond Ackerman’s estimated net worth has not been disclosed by the media.
Personal life
Raymond Ackerman, a South African businessman and philanthropist, has died at the age of 92. He was married to Wendy Ackerman and had four children: Gareth Ackerman, Kathryn Ackerman, Suzanne Ackerman and Jonathan Ackerman, all of whom contributed to the success of the family business Pick’n Pay.
In addition to their business ventures, Ackerman and his wife are active philanthropists, establishing the Ackerman Family Education Foundation to support educational initiatives.
In his spare time, Ackerman enjoyed playing golf and watching sports. His death is a great loss to his family, Pick ’n Pay and the community. His legacy will continue through his contributions to business and society.
Net worth
Raymond Ackerman is a successful South African businessman who made a name for himself when he acquired the Pick ”n Pay supermarket group from its founder Jack Goldin.
He was known for his entrepreneurial spirit and innovative business strategies, which helped him build a successful empire. At the time of his death, his net worth was estimated at $600 million, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in South Africa.
