Makro Maintains Grocery Crown for Sixth Month, But Relief May Be Short-Lived

Image Source: via youknow.co.za

Published by Everything ZA News

South African shoppers seeking the best deals on essential groceries can continue heading to Makro, according to BusinessTech’s latest grocery basket comparison. For the sixth consecutive month, Makro emerged as the most affordable option, even recording a slight price decrease compared to January 2024.

Methodology:

• The comparison considers a basket of nine staple items typically found in a middle-income grocery haul: bread, cooking oil, maize meal, sugar, milk, rice, cake flour, soap, and toilet paper.
• Prices were collected online from seven major retailers: Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay, Spar, Woolworths, Food Lover’s Market, and Makro.
• Specific brands were chosen for consistency across retailers and recognizability for middle-class shoppers.
• Limited-time specials were excluded, focusing on standard pricing.
• Pricing reflects Gauteng stores surveyed in mid-June 2024.

Results:

• The average cost of the basket across retailers in June 2024 was R416.65, slightly lower than April 2024 (R412.14).
• Makro offered the cheapest basket at R379.59, followed by Spar (R402.91) and Food Lover’s Market (R403.91).
• Woolworths remained the most expensive retailer at R443.91, with Checkers a close second at R438.91.

A Word of Caution:

• Spar franchises operate independently, so prices and product availability may vary.
• The basket represents a specific set of brands; cheaper alternatives might exist within stores or through non-branded products.
• Regional variations can also affect pricing.

Grocery Price Trends:

• The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) reported a decrease in some food prices since January 2024. However, they caution against premature celebration.
• Their basket focuses on 44 essential items for lower-income households. While some items like onions, butternut, and green peppers saw price drops, 32 experienced increases.
• PMBEJD emphasizes that these increases come from a historically high baseline, with many food items still experiencing double-digit inflation.

The Takeaway:

While Makro offers a cost advantage for a specific basket of goods, South African consumers continue to face a complex food pricing landscape. While some relief appears to be emerging, overall inflation remains high, particularly for certain food categories.

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