Business
Can Uber Overtake Checkers Sixty60? Global Giant Takes Aim at South Africa’s Fastest Delivery App
South Africa’s grocery delivery scene is heating up and this time, it’s not just local brands battling it out. Uber Technologies, best known for ridesharing and meal deliveries, is gearing up for a major push into groceries and retail. Globally, the company says it expects non-restaurant deliveries to hit a massive $12.5 billion annual run rate by the end of 2025, a 25% jump from their forecast earlier this year.
But while Uber is scaling fast internationally, there’s one market that won’t be easy to crack: South Africa.
The Local Titan Standing in the Way: Checkers Sixty60
Ask any South African who orders groceries online, and chances are they’ll say the same thing: “Just get it on Sixty60.”
Launched in 2020 during lockdown, Checkers Sixty60 didn’t just enter the market, it rewired how South Africans think about shopping. Need milk? Bananas? A bottle of gin before guests arrive? It’ll be at your door in under an hour.
And the numbers prove its dominance:
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47.7% increase in sales in the latest Shoprite financial year
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R18.9 billion in revenue from Sixty60 alone
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94% on-time deliveries and 96.9% order fulfilment
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Over 80% market share in the on-demand grocery delivery space
It’s not just popular, it’s become part of local culture. Social media users joke about being “Sixty60 spoiled,” refusing to wait more than 30 minutes for bread ever again.
Uber’s New Strategy: Discounts, Upgrades and Expansion
Uber isn’t backing down, though.
The company is rolling out weekly discounts on fresh produce and essentials across multiple countries including South Africa. It’s also introducing live order editing and even smart backup suggestions when something’s out of stock, a frustration many Sixty60 users still complain about.
Uber also has something Sixty60 doesn’t: variety beyond groceries. Through Uber Eats, users can buy pharmacy items, pet food, electronics and even alcohol, plus, its partnership with SPAR (announced in June) gives it access to stores nationwide.
The Real Question: Fast vs. Flexible
The battle comes down to one key difference:
| Feature | Checkers Sixty60 | Uber Eats |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Ultra-fast (avg under 60 mins) | Good, but varies by store |
| Pricing & Discounts | Consistent deals | Expanding weekly promo campaigns |
| Product Range | Mostly groceries | Groceries + retail + pharmacy items |
| Local Loyalty | Extremely high | Still growing |
South Africans love speed, but they also love value. If Uber begins undercutting prices or bundling delivery perks, it could reshape consumer habits.
Will Uber Win? Or Will Sixty60 Defend the Throne?
Uber has scale. Sixty60 has speed and loyalty. South Africans don’t just use Sixty60; they defend it online like a national treasure.
“If Uber thinks they can beat Sixty60, they must also promise to deliver bread in 15 minutes during loadshedding,” one X (formerly Twitter) user joked.
Competition is good news for consumers. Whether you’re team Sixty60 or team Just Add to Uber Cart, one thing’s clear:
The grocery delivery war in South Africa is officially on.
{Source: BuisnessTech}
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