VAT freeze: Where to Find Cheap VAT-Frozen Groceries in South Africa Amid Price Relief

Compare Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Woolworths and Checkers to Save Big on Essentials This Weekend

Grocery Relief for SA Shoppers: Where to Find the Cheapest VAT-Frozen Groceries This Weekend

As food inflation continues to pinch South African households, the government’s VAT freeze on basic food items is providing a moment of much-needed breathing room. But even with this temporary relief, not all retailers are pricing essentials equally.

To help consumers shop smarter, we compared the prices of a 16-item grocery basket across four major retailers—Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Checkers, and Woolworths—with some revealing results.

🛒 Which Supermarket Offers the Best Value?

Pick n Pay clinches the top spot this week with the most budget-friendly basket at R849.84. Shoprite is just a few rands behind at R853.84, making it a close contender for value shoppers. Woolworths follows at R859.84, while Checkers is the most expensive this week, coming in at R892.84.

Though the differences may seem small, they can quickly add up—especially for large households or monthly bulk shoppers.

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📦 Grocery Basket Price Comparison:

All prices were sourced in Gauteng. Specials and loyalty discounts were not included in the comparison.

🧾 Final Word: Shop Smart, Save Big

With the VAT freeze in play and cost-of-living pressures ongoing, now is the time to compare grocery prices weekly. Pick n Pay leads this round, offering the most affordable full basket. However, Shoprite remains a strong runner-up, and even slight weekly fluctuations can make all the difference in your budget.

Whether you’re feeding a family or stocking up on basics, every rand counts—and your shopping choices matter more than ever.

Also read: SASSA Grant: Affordable Grocery List Items You Can Buy at Boxer​