Boxer Superstores has in recent months made a huge impact on the supermarket industry in the Eastern Cape, with the purchase of seven Score supermarkets in the region.

These acquisitions bring the group's low-pricing policies to local consumers.

The supermarket chain began trading in the Eastern Cape in 1995 and now with additional Score supermarkets boasts 19 stores in the region.

The seven Score stores are in Mdantsane, Cofimvaba, Lady Frere, Mount Ayliff, Qumbu, Elliotdale and Mount Fletcher have now become Boxer Superstores.

Boxer marketing manager Andrew Mills said the new stores in the Eastern Cape will have a wide range of groceries and a variety of basic commodities.

Boxer also has two hardware stores - Boxer Build - which specialise in building materials in Lusikiki and Port St Johns.

Shoppers can now buy fresh goods from the various service departments, including breads and cake, fresh and frozen meat and fish, fruit and vegetables and prepared meals and dishes from a deli.

The group also sells paraffin and airtime for all the phone networks. Many of the stores have ATMs and all offer cash club/stokvel saving facilities.

"Over the past 27 years we have built strong relationships with our communities," said Mills.

He said each store therefore has developed relationships with local churches, schools and charitable organisations which the group supporting them by giving donations in the form of sponsorships or products.

Two such beneficiaries are the Esikhawini SP School and Efata School for the Blind.

Boxer has recently donated a total of R260 000 worth of exercise school books to schools in South Africa.

Boxer Superstores also hosts a Youth Leadership programme.