Sir Mahesh Patel, and the late Alan Jarvis establishes ‘The Pharmacy’, in Port Moresby at Garden City, Boroko with only four staff members. The Pharmacy would later be renamed into the brand we know today as ‘City Pharmacy’.
City Pharmacy goes on to expand its operations by opening five pharmacy outlets in regional PNG.
At a time when tensions remained high, City Pharmacy makes history by becoming the first business house to commence operations in Buka, following the Bougainville Crisis.
City Pharmacy Limited (CPL Group) lists on the Port Moresby Stock Exchange (PNGX:CPL).
CPL launches Real Rewards, becoming PNG’s first major points-based customer loyalty program, rewarding shoppers with points which can later be used to redeem products, and access to member-only offers.
CPL Group acquires the Stop and Shop Supermarket chain from Steamships Trading Company.
CPL launches the first Women’s Empowerment and Recognition Program in PNG, the Pride of PNG Women Awards, honoring extraordinary women doing extraordinary work in the Communities. This program is now managed by the CPL Foundation Inc.
Following the acquisition of Stop & Shop four years prior, CPL acquires the Hardware Haus Chain of Hardware and Home Improvement Stores from Steamships Trading Company.
CPL expands the Supermarket segment with the launch of Bon Cafe Coffee Shops, ushering a new era of coffee culture in PNG. Bon Cafe operated alongside the Stop & Shop Supermarkets
Group Founder Sir Mahesh Patel is awarded the Officer of the British Empire (OBE), by Queen Elizabeth II, for his services to Papua New Guinea in business and community.
CPL Group is also named Private Sector Employer of the Year by the PNG Human Resources Institute.
CPL expands with the acquisition of Sydney-based Pharmaceutical Wholesaler, Cost Save Pty Ltd (PWL).
CPL is named Innovative Company of the Year by the PNG Institute of Directors.
CPL modernizes the retail experience with the Opening of the Waigani Central Shopping Complex in Port Moresby. The Complex featured Group Brands Hardware Haus, the flagship Stop & Shop Supermarket, City Pharmacy and also offered a Cinema Complex in Paradise Cinemas (now operated by RH Trading Limited at Vision City).
CPL diversifies it’s brands portfolio into fashion and leisure-based retailing, with the introduction of Jack’s of PNG, and Prouds PNG, both Fiji-based Companies.
These brands join CPL as Joint-Venture Partners, with Jack’s of PNG opening two initial stores, and Prouds operating the Duty Free Shop at Jackson’s International Airport.
Devastation hits the Company as the Group’s Gerehu Distribution Centre is destroyed by fires, significantly affecting the supply chain operations of the business.
With the support of suppliers and our customers, CPL makes a swift recovery from the damages and continues to grow while rebuilding.
Sir Mahesh Patel, and the late Alan Jarvis establishes ‘The Pharmacy’, in Port Moresby at Garden City, Boroko with only four staff members. The Pharmacy would later be renamed into the brand we know today as ‘City Pharmacy’.
City Pharmacy goes on to expand its operations by opening five pharmacy outlets in regional PNG.
At a time when tensions remained high, City Pharmacy makes history by becoming the first business house to commence operations in Buka, following the Bougainville Crisis.
At a time when tensions remained high, City Pharmacy makes history by becoming the first business house to commence operations in Buka, following the Bougainville Crisis.
City Pharmacy Limited (CPL Group) lists on the Port Moresby Stock Exchange (PNGX:CPL).
CPL launches Real Rewards, becoming PNG’s first major points-based customer loyalty program, rewarding shoppers with points which can later be used to redeem products, and access to member-only offers.
CPL Group acquires the Stop and Shop Supermarket chain from Steamships Trading Company.
CPL launches the first Women’s Empowerment and Recognition Program in PNG, the Pride of PNG Women Awards, honoring extraordinary women doing extraordinary work in the Communities. This program is now managed by the CPL Foundation Inc.
Following the acquisition of Stop & Shop four years prior, CPL acquires the Hardware Haus Chain of Hardware and Home Improvement Stores from Steamships Trading Company.
CPL expands the Supermarket segment with the launch of Bon Cafe Coffee Shops, ushering a new era of coffee culture in PNG. Bon Cafe operated alongside the Stop & Shop Supermarkets
Group Founder Sir Mahesh Patel is awarded the Officer of the British Empire (OBE), by Queen Elizabeth II, for his services to Papua New Guinea in business and community.
CPL Group is also named Private Sector Employer of the Year by the PNG Human Resources Institute.
CPL expands with the acquisition of Sydney-based Pharmaceutical Wholesaler, Cost Save Pty Ltd (PWL).
CPL is named Innovative Company of the Year by the PNG Institute of Directors.
CPL modernizes the retail experience with the Opening of the Waigani Central Shopping Complex in Port Moresby. The Complex featured Group Brands Hardware Haus, the flagship Stop & Shop Supermarket, City Pharmacy and also offered a Cinema Complex in Paradise Cinemas (now operated by RH Trading Limited at Vision City).
CPL diversifies it’s brands portfolio into fashion and leisure-based retailing, with the introduction of Jack’s of PNG, and Prouds PNG, both Fiji-based Companies.
These brands join CPL as Joint-Venture Partners, with Jack’s of PNG opening two initial stores, and Prouds operating the Duty Free Shop at Jackson’s International Airport.
Devastation hits the Company as the Group’s Gerehu Distribution Centre is destroyed by fires, significantly affecting the supply chain operations of the business.
With the support of suppliers and our customers, CPL makes a swift recovery from the damages and continues to grow while rebuilding.
CPL initiates a Business Transformation Project, which saw a board restructure and the return of Sir Mahesh Patel as a Full-Time Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Capital was raised through share placements and rights issues, recapitalizing the company by K48 million.
The Group also went through its first major Brand Refresh, with all Group Portfolios receiving modern rebrands.
Sir Mahesh Patel is recognized in the Queen’s Birthday Awards as Knight Bachelor for his Services to Papua New Guinea in Community and Health, bestowing him with his now-known title as ‘Sir Mahesh Patel, OBE’.
CPL receives a significant Accreditation for its commitment to quality and safety, with ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System and ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.
Mr. Navin Raju is appointed as Chief Executive Officer, taking over from Sir Mahesh Patel who remained on the Board of Directors.
Civil Unrest in Port Moresby on January 10 sees the Group lose several retail stores from Stop & Shop, City Pharmacy, Hardware Haus and Jacks of PNG, with over K90M in losses.
Within the same year, the quick action of the CPL Leadership Team saw Stop & Shop Badili reopen by February, followed by a brand-new store location at 8 Mile in June, and a new location in Rainbow by August.
City Pharmacy opens new stores in 8 Mile and North Waigani, Port Moresby, and over in Namatanai in the New Ireland Province, while Hardware Haus opened a new Home & Living Store at Waigani Central in June, followed by Jack’s of PNG at Brian Bell Plaza, Boroko by December.
Mr. Kee Lim is also appointed Executive Director, with the resignation of CEO Mr. Navin Raju.
CPL exits the Supermarkets Segment with the Divestment of Stop & Shop Supermarkets to Taylor Pacific Limited.
The Group reinforces the Healthcare Strategy with move into Medical Clinics, with the opening of City Pharmacy Wellness & Medical Clinic, Vision City, and Her Health Hub Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic, jointly-launched by the CPL and Sir Brian Bell Foundations.
Mr. Ajay Patel takes over from Mr. Kee Lim as Chief Executive Officer in April 2026, followed by Ms. Stephanie Copus-Campbell who replaces Mr Stan Joyce as Chair of the Board of Directors.