consumer behaviourlatest news & developments
With consumer debt, fuel costs and household expenses rising, financial experts warn that the latest repo rate increase could further weaken disposable income and increase financial distress.
RESERVE BANK

Higher repo rate adds to pressure on South African households ahead of festive season

With consumer debt, fuel costs and household expenses rising, financial experts warn that the latest repo rate increase could further weaken disposable income and increase…

  • Ashley Lechman
7 min read
With fuel prices set to rise again, inflation expected to climb and borrowing costs increasing, electric and hybrid vehicles could offer South African consumers a way to reduce their monthly transport costs.
ELECTRIC CARS

Could EVs be South Africa’s answer to rising fuel, power and borrowing costs?

Are rising costs starting to tip the maths in an EV's favour?

  • Ashley Lechman
7 min read
Rising electricity, water and transport costs are putting added pressure on South African household budgets, leaving less money available for groceries.
CONSUMER

Bills first, groceries last: SA’s household reality

Why does cheaper food still feel unaffordable?

  • Lutho Pasiya
4 min read
Rising electricity and fuel costs are changing how South Africans think about energy and transport, with solar power and electric vehicles increasingly viewed as ways to protect household budgets.
CONSUMER

Why South Africans are going green — and it’s not just about the planet

From their driveways to their rooftops, South Africans are doing the maths on energy costs.

  • Ashley Lechman
4 min read
Mindless accumulation is out; deliberate, transparent, and built-to-last living is firmly in.
MONEY MANAGEMENT

Loud budgeting replaces mindless consumerism

From fast fashion to 'buy-it-for-life', shoppers are ditching micro-trends for high-grade gear built to outlast seasonal hype.

  • Alyssia Birjalal
2 min read
South African motorists face sharp September fuel increases, with diesel rising by up to R3.15 a litre and petrol increasing by R1.34.
FUEL CRISIS

Fuel prices rise sharply as South African motorists face higher September costs

South African motorists face sharp September fuel increases, with diesel rising by up to R3.15 a litre and petrol increasing by R1.34.

  • Ashley Lechman
4 min read
Some supermarket habits may seem harmless, but they could be adding thousands of rand to your grocery bill each year.
GROCERY

Beating the trolley shock: 6 Smart habits to slash your SA grocery bill

Stop falling for supermarket traps. Simple, everyday tweaks to your grocery routine could put over R5 000 back in your pocket this year.

  • Lutho Pasiya
4 min read
Smart shopping in action: bypass eye-level marketing traps by looking up and down the shelves to find true value.
SHOPPING

The supermarket trap: Science-backed tricks shaping your grocery bill

Why are bread and milk always at the back of the store? Retailers force you past high-margin temptations just to grab the basics.

  • Alyssia Birjalal
6 min read
Smartfill says its refill stations, now being piloted at Shoprite and Pick n Pay, could offer cash-strapped consumers a way to buy smaller quantities of household products. The company says its transaction data shows affordability is increasingly driving demand for refill options.
CONSUMER COMMISSION

Refill shopping gains ground as consumers look for ways to stretch household budgets

Smartfill says its refill stations, now being piloted at Shoprite and Pick n Pay, could offer cash-strapped consumers a way to buy smaller quantities of household products. The…

  • Ashley Lechman
5 min read
A new Wonga survey shows 41% of South Africans use credit every month for essentials, while 32% have borrowed from informal lenders amid mounting financial pressure.
LOAN MARKET

South Africans turning to loan sharks as cost of living crisis deepens

A new Wonga survey shows 41% of South Africans use credit every month for essentials, while 32% have borrowed from informal lenders amid mounting financial pressure.

  • Ashley Lechman
4 min read
Discover how Pick n Pay is transforming grocery shopping in South Africa with its innovative Pick n Pay Inspire feature, integrating social commerce and AI to enhance the shopping experience.
PICK N PAY

How Pick n Pay is integrating AI and social commerce into grocery shopping

Discover how Pick n Pay is transforming grocery shopping in South Africa with its innovative Pick n Pay Inspire feature, integrating social commerce and AI to enhance the…

  • Ashley Lechman
3 min read
With household finances under pressure, South African consumers are increasingly using AI to research products, compare prices and assess whether brands are delivering genuine value.
AI

South African shoppers using AI to get more value

Amid rising living costs, South African consumers are turning to AI to make smarter shopping decisions, but are brands keeping up with their expectations?

  • Ashley Lechman
5 min read
SPAR from chairman Mike Bosman.
SPAR

Spar Group's leadership shake-up: A turning point for grocery giant

Spar Group's recent leadership resignations signal a critical juncture for the grocery retailer, as it grapples with a five-year crisis.

  • Edward West
6 min read