By Everson Luhanga
- Walmart opened its first South African stores at Clearwater Mall in Roodepoort and Fourways Mall in Gauteng during November 2025.
- The basket cost R797.70 at Walmart, R831.87 at Checkers and R846.37 at Pick n Pay, Daily Investor price checks showed.
Walmart opened its first store in South Africa at Clearwater Mall in Roodepoort on 22 November 2025. A second store opened at Fourways Mall.
Walmart owns Massmart, the parent company of Makro, Builders and Game. In late 2025, Walmart moved from being a holding company to competing directly with Checkers and Pick n Pay.
The stores use Walmart’s Every Day Low Prices model. This is different from the local high-low pricing culture, where shoppers hunt for specials and loyalty points.
Daily Investor compared prices on everyday products including milk, bread, cereal and frozen items.
Clover 2L milk cost R29.95 at Walmart, compared to R39.99 at Checkers and R35.99 at Pick n Pay. Blue Ribbon sliced white bread was R17.78 at Walmart, R18.99 at Checkers and R19.99 at Pick n Pay.
Not all items were cheaper at Walmart. Kellogg’s Corn Flakes cost R58.97 at Walmart but R54.99 at both rivals. Dairymaid Ice Cream was R75.46 at Walmart and R54.99 at Checkers. I and J Fish Fingers were cheapest at Pick n Pay at R69.99.
The total basket came to R797.70 at Walmart, R831.87 at Checkers and R846.37 at Pick n Pay. Shoppers save R34.17 at Walmart compared to Checkers and R48.67 compared to Pick n Pay.
Walmart also launched a shopping app with 60-minute delivery. The app sells groceries, electronics and apparel. The service is linked to the two Gauteng stores. Walmart plans to expand to Cape Town and Durban this year.
Former Shoprite chief executive Whitey Basson said new competition is good. But he questioned whether Every Day Low Prices will win local shoppers who are used to specials and loyalty points.
Pictured above: A Walmart delivery driver.
Image source: Walmart Africa/Facebook
