Grocery shopping in South Africa has become a careful game of numbers, with most families watching every rand as food prices continue to climb. As of 2025, food inflation is still playing a major role in shaping what lands in people’s baskets.
So the big question on everyone’s mind is: How much can R1000 actually buy you these days?
To help you decide where your money works the hardest, we compared grocery baskets across four of the country’s biggest supermarkets—Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay, and Woolworths. Here’s what we found.
Baskets
To get a fair comparison, we built a standard basket of essentials: bread, milk, eggs, rice, maize meal, cooking oil, chicken, and a few vegetables. Prices were gathered based on average listings and promotional deals from each store in early 2025.
| Item | Shoprite | Checkers | Pick n Pay | Woolworths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bread (loaf) | R15.99 | R16.49 | R16.99 | R18.99 |
| Milk (2L) | R31.99 | R32.99 | R34.49 | R38.99 |
| Eggs (18) | R49.99 | R52.99 | R54.99 | R64.99 |
| Rice (2kg) | R39.99 | R41.99 | R44.99 | R49.99 |
| Maize (5kg) | R57.99 | R59.99 | R61.99 | R65.99 |
| Oil (2L) | R72.99 | R75.99 | R79.99 | R89.99 |
| Chicken (2kg) | R85.99 | R89.99 | R92.99 | R104.99 |
| Veggies Mix | R48.99 | R51.99 | R54.99 | R62.99 |
| Total | R403.92 | R422.42 | R441.42 | R496.92 |
As you can see, Shoprite leads in affordability, followed closely by Checkers. Woolworths, with its focus on quality, sits at the top end of the price range.
Value
Let’s be real—R1000 won’t fill two trolleys anymore. But depending on where you shop, you can still put together a decent grocery haul. At Shoprite, you could almost double up on most items from the basic basket, still leaving room for a few extras. Checkers is a close second, especially when you use their Xtra Savings card.
Pick n Pay balances affordability with product variety, making it ideal for families looking for deals across different product types. Their Smart Shopper program also gives cashback and personalized discounts, adding real value over time.
Woolworths, on the other hand, offers a premium experience—higher prices, yes, but also trusted quality and healthy options. R1000 won’t get you as many items, but you’re likely paying for longer-lasting, better-tasting products.
Strategy
Smart shoppers in South Africa have started mixing and matching their store visits. It’s now common to buy bulk goods from Shoprite, weekly specials from Pick n Pay, and splurge items from Woolworths. Loyalty apps and digital coupons play a key role in this strategy.
Other budget tricks include:
- Buying house brands instead of name brands
- Using store apps to check deals before shopping
- Shopping monthly for non-perishables to lock in bulk savings
Stretch
In 2025, stretching R1000 is more about how you shop than where. Each major supermarket has its pros and cons, and the best value often comes from using a mix of them.
Shoprite and Checkers are ideal for essential groceries, Pick n Pay for variety and deals, and Woolworths for health-conscious and gourmet shoppers.
It all comes down to your lifestyle, family needs, and how much time you’re willing to spend chasing specials. With a smart plan and a bit of research, that R1000 can still go a surprisingly long way.
FAQs
Which store is cheapest for basics?
Shoprite offers the lowest prices on most essentials.
Where does R1000 go the furthest?
Shoprite lets R1000 cover the most items overall.
Is Woolworths worth the higher price?
Yes, for premium quality and health-focused items.
Are loyalty cards useful?
Definitely—Checkers and Pick n Pay offer strong rewards.
Can I shop at multiple stores?
Yes, many shoppers split trips to maximize savings.
