How food prices have changed over the past 12 months – Woolies vs Checkers vs Pick n Pay and more
Contrary to what some believe, food retailers have been quite good at keeping price adjustments in line with inflation; however, some have made more effort to shield consumers from increasing food prices.
This is according to BusinessTech’s grocery basket comparison, which collected the online prices of nine staple foods and products in a typical middle-income grocery basket.
The comparison included seven of South Africa’s major retailers—Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay, Spar, Woolworths, and Food Lover’s Market.
We have been tracking the prices of these items for over a year and compared the prices of these items in July 2023 to the prices recorded in July 2024.
The grocery basket comparison includes the following:
- 700g loaf of Albany Superior sliced white bread
- 2-litre sunflower oil (cheapest option)
- 2.5kg Iwisa maize meal
- 2.5kg Selati white sugar
- 2-litre milk (cheapest option)
- 2kg Tastic rice
- 2.5kg Snowflake cake flour
- 175g bar of Dettol herbal soap
- 9-pack of two-ply toilet paper (cheapest option)
In very rare cases, some brands are not available at all retailers – for example, Woolworths does not stock Albany Superior sliced white bread, but it does have its own like-for-like product, which is used in the comparison.
Because brands vary across stores for sunflower oil, milk, and toilet paper, each store uses the cheapest version available. These are noted and explained in the table below if any other substitutions are required.
It must be stressed that finding the same products in the basket at a lower price or using cheaper, non-branded alternatives is possible. Pricing can change from region to region or, in the case of Spar, across different franchises.
Therefore, the basket does not represent the absolute cheapest version of every item. The specific brands are chosen for consistency across retailers and their recognisability among middle-class shoppers.
The pricing in the analysis comes from retailers in Gauteng and is collected in the middle of the month. The normal price of items was used, and limited-time specials were not considered.
The results
According to the data collected, the average cost for our basket of nine staple items in July was R415, which is actually less than that recorded in July last year (R424).
However, this is due to the price cuts noted by Shoprite and Spar, which are the only retailers to record price reductions for the period.
A food retailer in South Africa might lower prices below inflation to attract more customers, increase market share, and boost sales volumes.
By offering lower prices, they can differentiate themselves from competitors, stimulate demand, and create customer loyalty, especially during times of economic hardship when consumers are more price-sensitive.
Shoprite targets the typical middle-income household in South Africa, meaning price is an essential aspect of their strategy.
According to the retailer, it uses a centralised distribution network, long-standing supplier relationships and bulk-buying power, which enables it to provide products at the lowest prices.
It must also be noted that Spar is franchised, meaning prices and items can vary from store to store. Food Lover’s Market was the third cheapest retailer (R403.91).
Woolworths had the most expensive basket at R439.91 in Jul 2024. However, it will be managed to keep prices just below inflation with an increase of 5%.
Interestingly, despite Shoprite’s price cuts, its premium offering, Checkers, is the second most expensive at R437.91, with an annual increase of 5.54%.
Makro offered the cheapest basket in July 2024, totalling R360.60.
However, it must be noted that Marko’s 2023 prices where not recorded and therefore, we could not compare their year-on-year changes.
The table below breaks down the prices for each item from the eight grocery retailers and who is the cheapest.
| Item | Checkers | Pick n Pay | Woolies | Spar | Shoprite | Makro | Food Lover’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Bread | R19.99 | R16.99 | R18.99 | R16.00 | R19.99 | R13.95 | R19.95 |
| Sunflower oil | R79.99 | R79.99 | R79.99 | R69.99 | R69.99 | R54.95 | R69.99 |
| Maize meal | R39.99 | R39.99 | R38.99 | R34.99 | R38.99 | R34.95 | R38.99 |
| White Sugar | R69.99 | R65.99 | R64.99 | R62.99 | R64.99 | R56.95 | R62.99 |
| Milk | R36.99 | R35.99 | R38.99 | R32.99 | R34.99 | R28.95 | R29.99 |
| Rice | R48.99 | R52.99 | R46.99 | R43.99 | R48.99 | R45.95 | R46.99 |
| Flour | R42.99 | R44.99 | R41.99 | R39.99 | R44.99 | R39.95 | R42.99 |
| Soap | R18.99 | R18.99 | R18.99 | R17.99 | R17.99 | R15.95 | R17.50 |
| Toilet paper | R79.99 | R79.99 | R89.99 | R79.99 | R79.99 | R69.00 | R79.95 |
| July 2024 total | R437.91 | R436.41 | R439.91 | R398.92 | R420.91 | R360.60* | R410.33 |
| July 2023 total | R414.91 | R413.41 | R418.91 | R419.91 | R485.91 | — | R394.87 |
| % change | +5.54% | +5.56% | +5.01% | -5.00% | -13.37% | — | +3.9% |
In South Africa, grocery retailers are often accused of being “price-sticky,” meaning they quickly raise prices during inflation but are slow to lower them when inflation decreases.
This practice significantly impacts consumers, who bear the brunt of high food costs for extended periods, even when economic pressures ease.
Retailers justify this by citing factors like high input costs, supply chain issues, and market competition.
The delayed price reduction fuels public frustration, especially as households struggle with the rising cost of living.
However, the price comparison seems to show that this is not the case with South Africa’s major retailers, despite being a negligible amount above inflation.
Inflation for food & NAB is currently recorded at 5.1% in South Africa.
Despite the good news. The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) warns that it is still too early to celebrate.
The PMBEJD’s basket comprises 44 food items that most South African households would purchase in a typical month.
While this basket reflects a lower income, it is what the majority of households would look at. Across the 44 food items tracked by the group, ten decreased in price year-on-year, with Butternut (-20 %), Onions (-19%) and Cooking Oil (8%) seeing the largest price drops.
The balance (34 items) increased. However, the PMBEJD said this needs to be understood in the context of pricing coming off a high base.
Most food items are still showing high levels of inflation, with 10 recording double-digit price increases—five of these are over 20%.
Despite the overall increases, Stats SA has reported that food and NAB inflation is slowing, as most categories have recorded lower annual rates, except for hot beverages and oils and fats.
Inflation for food & NAB slowed to 5.1% in March 2024.
Read: Medical aid price pain in South Africa – with worse to come
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