Every month we will look at the in-store prices of the same basket of goods across five major retailers – Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay, Spar and Woolworths.
Shopping list
Our grocery basket is made up of basic goods most people are likely to have in their homes and use every day. The list looks like this
- 700g loaf of Albany Superior Sliced White Bread, or store brand
- 2-litre store brand sunflower oil
- 2.5kg Iwisa maize meal
- 2.5kg Selati white sugar
- 2-litre store brand milk
- 2kg Tastic rice
- 2.5kg Snowflake cake flour
- 175g bar of Dettol Herbal Soap
- 9-pack of two-ply Baby Soft toilet paper (or store brand)
If some brands aren’t available, alternatives will be used but our aim is to keep the products as consistent as possible every month. For a breakdown of our methodology, click here.
October’s basket
In both September and October, Spar was the most expensive option, whereas Shoprite has been the most affordable option since we introduced it to our list in August. This month, the same bag of groceries differed by R44 between the two stores. Pick n Pay was R33.30 more expensive and Woolworths was R21 more expensive. Checkers was the second-cheapest option at only R16 more expensive than the Shoprite basket.
Notebook
- In June and July we used the prices of the 18-pack of two-ply toilet paper. We have since switched over to the 9-pack.
- For our methodology, a full set of prices, collection notes and republication guidelines, please go here: The Outlier grocery basket: Our methodology
This story was edited on 26 June 2023 to update editorial style. No material changes were made.