INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF ELECTRICITY POWER OUTAGES ON GROCERY FOOD RETAILERS

Abstract

Electricity power outages are a common phenomenon in South Africa. Businesses are confronted with electricity power outages or load shedding, which serve as a threat to the success and growth of retailers. The purpose of this study is to contribute to academic literature by adopting contingency theory during the investigation of the impact of electricity power outages on Grocery Food Retailers in the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality, South Africa. A qualitative research method was used, and in-depth interviews were conducted with managers of Grocery Food Retail stores. Primary data was analysed using the Content analysis method with the aid of Atlas. ti software. The findings of this study revealed the causes of electricity power outages, which result in high operational costs for businesses and pose security risks to the survival and growth of Grocery Food Retailers operating in the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality. This study offers recommendations to stakeholders of Grocery Food Retailers by providing alternative innovative intervention measures to address the challenge and future research directions.