Every month we take a 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 nine 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.

September’s basket

Spar’s basket was the most expensive option this month and Shoprite’s was the cheapest. The same bag of groceries differed by R48 between the two stores. Pick n Pay’s basket was R37.30 more expensive, Woolworths’ basekt was R27 more expensive and Checkers’ basket was the second-cheapest option at only R17 more expensive than the Shoprite basket.

Your grocery basket: Sept 2022
Your grocery basket: Sept 2022

Notebook

  • In June and July, we used the prices of the 18-pack of two-ply toilet paper. We have since switched 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.