South Africa, Feb. 24 -- Swartz's departure comes during a challenging period for Spar, as the JSE-listed retailer navigates operational resets, margin pressure, litigation linked to a troubled software rollout, and divestment of non-core international businesses.

A leadership change during strategic reset

Swartz, who has served at Spar for nearly two decades across multiple roles including head of the KwaZulu-Natal distribution division prior to becoming CEO in October 2023, cited personal reasons for his decision.

Addressing investors recently, he explained that the sustained intensity of the company's reset efforts, particularly over the last five years, had come at a "significant personal cost," prompting his choice to prioritise f...