By Everson Luhanga
- Walmart opens its first South African store at Clearwater Mall in Johannesburg with a R1,680 grocery basket that beats two rival prices of R1,713 and R1,868.
- Massmart says Walmart will keep prices low without weekly specials, as the next store at Fourways Mall prepares to bring the same everyday savings.
Shoppers walking into Clearwater Mall in Johannesburg on Saturday found something they had not seen in a long time — a full basket of groceries that actually costs less.
The new Walmart store charges R1,680 for the same basket that costs R1,713 and R1,868 at two major rival retailers. Without any specials, those prices jump to R1,895 and R1,901.
For many families who count every rand at the till, that difference matters. It means more food in the trolley and fewer tough choices at the end of the month.
Massmart, which runs Walmart stores in South Africa, says the store brings a fresh and modern feel. The aisles are wide, the layout is clean, and shoppers can find food, cleaning goods, electronics and clothes under one roof.
But it is the price that gets South Africans talking.
“This is not a gimmick,” said Massmart Chief Operating Officer Dries D’Hooghe. “These are real till slips. This is what Walmart’s Every Day Low Price means.”
He said the store will keep prices low without relying on weekly discounts. “We take out all the hassle to get the lowest prices,” he said.
Massmart CEO Miles van Rensburg said customers will be able to shop when it suits them, without waiting for short-term specials.
Walmart’s next stop is Fourways Mall, the biggest mall in the country. The retailer hopes the same low-price promise will draw more visitors to a centre that has struggled with a drop in foot traffic.
For now, shoppers in Roodepoort get a small win — and in this economy, even a small win feels big.
Pictured above: Clearwater Mall Walmart launch.
Image source: Supplied
