Spinnaker Software is a market leader in the South African POS retail industry with their Arch suite of products, which are operational in more than 1,200 stores. Corporate Groups where Arch Retail Systems is the solution of choice include amongst other Masscash (Wholesale Division of Walmart SA) and OK Foods (Franchise Division of Shoprite Checkers).

Spinnaker has embarked on a strategic expansion strategy into Africa, where all market reports indicate a healthy growth in the more formal retail sector. The success of such a venture is pretty much reliant on partnering with selected local business partners to ensure that solid first line support is rendered in the respective countries. Spinnaker has already formed formal partnerships in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, with the latest agreement concluded with AES in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

AES is a Kinshasa based company with a long business tradition in the DRC, but also with business interests in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya. They bring a local presence and solid first line support to table for Arch stores, but will also be developing the market for Arch in the DRC. The three Directors of AES are Alex van Hoeken, and the brothers Sajjid and Imran Patel, who recently spent time at Spinnaker Head Office in Cape Town for intensive Arch product training. AES has already seen a breakthrough with the signing of the first group in the DRC, namely Kinmart. The first Kinmart store has gone live in Kinshasa recently. AES has already identified a number of target groups, and in conjunction with our Business Analysts, retail management proposals will be presented.

David Geldenhuys, Marketing Executive Officer (Arch Retail Systems) said: "It is encouraging to see there's traction for our Arch suite of products beyond Southern African borders, which re-enforces our strategy to develop products from Africa, for Africa. We welcome Alex and his team to the Arch family and wish them all success conquering the DRC with Arch"