History

1987
1987

Sir Mahesh Patel with then Steamships Trading Chairman late Alan Jarvis establishes the first City Pharmacy outlet in the Garden City Mall at Boroko with only four staff.

1992
1992

City Pharmacy goes on to expand its operations by opening five pharmacy outlets in regional PNG.

1998
1998

CPL Group makes history by becoming the first business house to commence operations in Buka following the Bougainville crisis.

2002
2002

Exciting times ahead for CPL as CPL Group lists on the Port Moresby Stock Exchange.

2003
2003

CPL Group launches its first customer loyalty program, Real Rewards.

2005
2005

CPL Group acquires the Stop and Shop Supermarket chain from Steamships Trading Company.

2007
2007

CPL launches the first women’s empowerment program in PNG, the Pride of PNG Awards for Women, honouring ordinary Papua New Guinean women doing extraordinary work in their communities.

2009
2009

CPL Group acquires Hardware Haus stores from Steamships Trading Company.

2010
2010

Mahesh Patel named Director of the Year by the PNG Institute of Directors.

2011
2011

CPL launches Bon Café coffee shops in PNG. The Bon Café outlets are launched at its Stop & Shop outlets in Port Moresby.

2012
2012

CPL Group is named Private Sector Employer of the Year by the PNG Human Resources Institute.

2013
2013

CPL is named Innovative Company of the Year by the PNG Institute of Directors. CPL Group also acquires Sydney, Australia-based pharmaceutical wholesaler Cost Save Pty Ltd.

2014
2014

CPL opens new concept shopping complex, Waigani Central, in Port Moresby. It features a do-it yourself hardware concept store, its largest ever Stop N Shop supermarket and its second Paradise Cinema complex.

2015
2015

CPL moves into fashion retailing and goes onto opening two Jacks of PNG stores in Port Moresby. CPL also opens two Prouds Duty Free stores at Jacksons International Airport.

2017
2017

CPL Group’s Gerehu Distribution Center is devastated by the fires. This affects the supply chain of the business greatly. With the support of suppliers and communities, the company makes a swift recovery from the damages.

2020
2020

Sir Mahesh Patel, OBE is recognized in the Queen’s Birthday awards as a Knight Bachelor for services to PNG.

2021
2021

Mr Navin Raju is appointed new Chief Executive Officer. ISO Accreditation: The Group is accredited to ISO 9001: 2015- Quality Management System and ISO 45001:2018- Occupational Health and Safety Management System Standards