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    "headline": "Shoprite acquires payments firm R&A Cellular and coffee chain Vida e Caffè",
    "dek": "Shoprite acquires majority stake in payments firm R&A Cellular and signs deal to buy coffee chain Vida e Caffè.",
    "prose": "Shoprite acquired a majority stake in payments and technology company R&A Cellular in August, a transaction that gives the South African grocery retailer an entry into financial services for informal and semi-formal retailers. [^1]\n\nShoprite signed an agreement to acquire Vida e Caffè, a coffee and quick-service restaurant chain with about 400 corporate and franchise shops, subject to regulatory approval. [^2]\n\nShoprite reported a 12.2% rise in annual headline earnings per share for the 12 months ending in June. [^3]\n\nShoprite CEO Pieter Engelbrecht said the group has moved selectively from a do-it-all philosophy to partnering or acquiring where specialist expertise, capacity or speed-to-market offered a clear advantage. [^4]\n\nShoprite's group merchandise sales increased 7.2% to R270.8bn in the 52 weeks ending June, while revenue rose 7.1% to R274.8bn. [^5]\n\nSales growth for the group was led by its Checkers and Sixty60 business segments. [^6]\n\nShoprite agreed to acquire a controlling stake in R&A Cellular to expand into financial services. [^7]",
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