The increasing cost of living is a reality many South African families are grappling with.
Prices are on the rise, leaving consumers feeling the pinch as their budgets stretch thinner each month.
However, there’s good news. You don’t have to accept higher prices at every store.
There are ways to save, and we’re here to help you navigate through the grocery shopping maze.
How We Can Help You Save on Groceries
The South African website is dedicated to helping readers find ways to save money while shopping.
Instead of paying more at one retailer, why not compare prices and see where you can get the best deal?
This week, we’re focusing on a popular grocery item—Coca-Cola Original Less Sugar.
We’ve compared prices from four major South African supermarkets to find out which one offers the best value.
The Price Comparison: Shoprite vs. Pick n Pay vs. Woolworths vs. Checkers
We’ve gathered the latest price information from four of South Africa’s favourite supermarkets: Woolworths, Checkers, Shoprite, and Pick n Pay.
So, which store has the best price this week?
Here’s a breakdown of the results:
| Rank | Supermarket | This Week | Last Week | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shoprite | R816.84 | R822.84 | -0.7% |
| 2 | Pick n Pay | R833.84 | R833.84 | No change |
| 3 | Woolworths | R837.84 | R837.84 | No change |
| 4 | Checkers | R886.84 | R870.84 | +1.84% |
As you can see, Shoprite is the cheapest this week, with a small decrease from last week, while Checkers saw the biggest price hike.
What’s in Our Grocery Basket?
We didn’t just focus on one item; we compared the prices of 16 common household items to give you a full picture of which supermarket offers the best overall value.
Keep in mind that we didn’t factor in any discounts, promotions, or loyalty card specials.
And when the exact brand wasn’t available, we used the nearest house-brand alternative.
Here’s a closer look at the prices of some household staples:
| Product | Checkers | Shoprite | Pick n Pay | Woolworths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500g Fatti’s & Moni’s spaghetti | R19.99 | R19.99 | R19.99 | R22.99 |
| 400g Black Cat smooth peanut butter | R54.99 | R49.99 | R49.99 | R49.99 |
| 1kg Jungle Oats | R49.99 | R46.99 | R46.99 | R49.99 |
| 2L Coca-Cola Original Less Sugar Bottle | R27.99 | R26.99 | R26.99 | R27.99 |
| Nescafe Ricoffy Instant Coffee 750g | R169.99 | R154.99 | R159.99 | R153.99 |
Total Cost Breakdown
After comparing all 16 items, here’s how the totals stack up:
- Checkers: R886.84
- Shoprite: R816.84
- Pick n Pay: R833.84
- Woolworths: R837.84
Shoprite remains the most affordable option this week, while Checkers, despite being one of the big players, ends up being the most expensive.
Conclusion: Can You Save by Switching Supermarkets?
With prices constantly fluctuating, it’s worth keeping track of where you shop and how much you spend.
Would you consider switching your regular store if it meant saving a few extra rands?