Checkers put their competition into a tricky sticky situation
Checkers are focusing on wooing customers and giving them good reasons to spend their money with just one brand.
It's rather amusing how the South African financial press speculate about the possible revival of the once-prestigious competitors of Shoprite Checkers, without fully-calibrating this 'possible revival' in context of what else is going on in the sector.
Any plausible supermarket marketshare gain by brands other then Shoprite Checkers...will obviously need to come as a result of taking sales away from Shoprite Checkers.
And Shoprite Checkers are dedicated to competing for that available marketshare by skilfully going on the offensive.
Not for the first time in their history, Checkers have timed things shrewdly and are securing a favourable position leading up to this year's Black Friday season by strategically launching a collectables campaign that runs right up until early November.
Stickables
Checkers collectibles are back with the launch of Stickables (not to be confused with Stikeez) - 50 unique, colourful stickers with special effects, featuring some of South Africa’s most recognisable brands. From the Duracell Bunny, Oros, Bar-One, Ricoffy and Sunshine D, to Black Cat Peanut Butter, OMO, Huggies and even a mini Sixty60 delivery bike, there’s plenty to discover.
The Checkers Stickables promo that samples one of Run DMC's classic tracks
Strategic timing
So - timing wise - for the last quarter of 2026, Shoprite Checkers will be going all-in on a collectables drive till November, then they'll hit the market with Black Friday specials till December and then swoop into the festive season with more promotional energy...finally finishing with some cracking Back-to-school promotions in January just to run salt into the wounds of competitors and secure a favourable share of wallet at this critical time.
While other supermarket brands are trying to mend broken relationships and patting themselves on the back for missing their own targets, Checkers are focusing on wooing customers and giving them good reasons to spend their money with just one brand.
Previously:
Marius du Toit