Food Lover’s Market Beats Pick n Pay and Checkers as Cheapest Grocery Store in South Africa

As the cost of living continues to pinch South African households, the latest grocery price comparison by BusinessTech offers a bit of relief — and a clear winner. According to a May 2025 pricing survey, Food Lover’s Market has claimed the title of the cheapest grocery retailer in the country, coming in well below competitors like Pick n Pay, Checkers, and Woolworths.

If you’re a budget-conscious shopper, this comparison might help you make smarter choices on where to buy everyday essentials.

The Grocery Basket: What’s Compared?

The survey looked at the prices of nine common household staples, including:

• A loaf of white bread

• Sunflower oil

• Maize meal

• White sugar

• Milk

• Tastic rice

• Cake flour

• A bar of Dettol soap

• A 9-pack of toilet paper

Prices were gathered from six of the country’s biggest retailers: Pick n Pay, Woolworths, Spar, Checkers, Shoprite, and Food Lover’s Market. To maintain consistency, only the most affordable options or closest brand equivalents were selected.

The Verdict: How Much Does a Basket Cost?

Here’s how the grocery baskets stacked up (based on standard shelf prices in Gauteng, excluding specials):

Notably, Pick n Pay had the most expensive basket, costing R58.53 more than Food Lover’s Market. Even Checkers, the third most affordable, came in R34.53 higher.

Food Lover’s Market’s pricing edge was particularly strong on key items like:

• Sunflower oil: R69.99 (vs R84.99 at Pick n Pay)

• Milk: R29.99 (vs R34.99 at Pick n Pay)

• Rice: R35.99 (vs R49.99 at Pick n Pay)

• Soap: R12.50 (vs R18.99 at most retailers)

A Look Back: Prices Compared to Last Year

Despite general price increases across the board, the total average cost of the basket only rose by R0.77 compared to May 2024 — up from R419.89 to R420.66. Some stores, like Shoprite, even saw a slight drop in overall basket price.

Spar, on the other hand, increased the most — with a R19 hike year-on-year.

What This Means for Shoppers

If you’re looking to stretch your rand a little further, Food Lover’s Market offers a tangible savings advantage, especially on pantry staples and household basics. While availability may vary depending on your location, the price gap is wide enough to justify a shift in your shopping habits — especially with ongoing inflation.

In a time when every cent counts, price transparency is empowering. Knowing where to find the best value on your grocery basket can help ease financial pressure — and Food Lover’s Market is leading the pack in 2025.

{Source: BusinessTech}

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