In 2025, as South Africans continue facing rising food prices in the country, we will be paying even closer attention to where we buy. Finding the best deal on groceries has never been so important. This updated price check compares Pick n Pay with Checkers on essential groceries and shows where Gauteng shoppers could save money.
What Grocery Prices Will Look Like in 2025
The Consumer Price Index of Stats South Africa shows a continuing rise in food inflation. As of March 2025, food prices will have increased by 6.8%. Oil, sugar and maize meal prices have increased dramatically, making it even more important to compare prices between supermarkets.
The Essentials Basket Price Check
The prices of 15 basic grocery items at major supermarkets. These staples are items that South Africans purchase regularly. Compare the prices:
- Bread, rice, maize meal
- Sugar, milk, and cooking oil
- Salt, cake flour, dishwashing detergent, toilet paper and more
Total Basket Prices
| Retailer | Total Cost (15 Items) |
|---|---|
| Checkers | R645.80 |
| Pick and Pay | R655.20 |
Pick n Pay continues to compete with Checkers on promotions, but Checkers has better prices for key items.
The Essential Grocery Prices by Item
| Koo Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce 400g | Checkers | Pick and Pay | Notes |
| Albany White Bread 700g | R19.99 (R16.99 if you have the Xtra Savings card) | R18.99 | Comparable prices |
| 2L Sunfoil Sunflower Oil | R89.99 | R84.99 | Checkers starting at R5 |
| Tastic Rice 2kg | R46.99 | R39.99 | Checkers is a little cheaper |
| 2.5kg Iwisa Maize Meal | R44.99 | R39.99 | Pick n Pay cheaper |
| Clover Full Cream Fresh Milk 2L | R36.99 | R35.99 | The same |
| Huletts 1kg White Sugar | R36.99 | R33.99 | Checkers Reduced by R2.50 |
| Snowflake Cake Flour 2.5kg | R42.99 (R36.99 if you use the Xtra Savings Card) | R41.99 | Minor difference |
| 1kg of Salt | R19.99 | R21.99 | Checkers cheaper |
| Goldi Chicken Mixed Portion 2kg | R99.99 | R102.99 | Checkers: Save R1.50 |
| Sunlight Dishwashing liquid 750ml | R36.99 | R38.99 | Checkers are slightly cheaper |
| Baby Soft White 2-Ply Toilet Paper 9 Pack | R96.99 | R89.99 | Checkers: Marginally Lower |
| 1kg Jungle Oats | R49.99 (R34.99 if you use the Xtra Savings card) | R46.99 | Checkers wins by R2 |
| McCain Mixed Vegetables, 1kg | R52.99 | R53.99 | Checkers R1.50 difference |
| Koo Baked Beans In Tomato Sauce 400g | R17.99 | R17.99 | Comparable |
| Freshpak Pure Rooibos Teabags 80 Pack | R54.99 | R54.99 | Checkers is much cheaper |
The key takeaways for essential grocery prices
Checkers will continue to offer the best price on many grocery essentials in 2025. Checkers offers cooking oils at a lower price than other stores. Sugar is also cheaper. Pick N Pay still offers lower prices for some staples such as Maize Meal (R39.99 instead of R44.99) and is appealing to customers who use loyalty programmes.
Price Check By Category (2025).
| Categories | Winner | Why? |
| Grains | Pick n Pay | Maize meal with a slight edge |
| Oils & Staples | Checkers | Get a better deal on rice, sugar and oil |
| Dairy | Tie | Prices are almost the same |
| Non-Food | Checkers | Cleaning and hygiene products are cheaper |
Who offers better value in 2025?
In 2025, Checkers will continue to be the top choice for shoppers, particularly when it comes to essentials. Pick n Pay is still a strong competitor with its loyalty program, which offers discounts to frequent shoppers.
Top Shopping Tips
Here are some tips to help you stretch your grocery budget for 2025.
- Use a loyalty card Both Smart Shopper and Xtra Savings can save you money on your regular purchases.
- Check the price regularly. Prices can change depending on availability and promotional offers.
- Choose store brands. These are up to 20% less expensive than national brands.
- Buy in bulk: This is especially true for items that last a long time, such as flour, rice and oil.
Pick n Pay will be a strong competitor in 2025, especially with the right offers. Staying informed, using loyalty cards and regularly comparing prices are key for savvy shoppers in Gauteng.
ALSO READ: March 2025 Grocery Price Check: Woolies vs Checkers vs Pick n Pay & More
