Makro rollsback prices on 100 basic food items to assist hard pressed consumers

Data released by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity (PMBEJD) in its April 2025 Household Affordability Index showed that the price of a basic food basket in SA increased by almost R100 month-on-month.

Makro, which has been recognised in various independent surveys for having the most affordable basket of grocery essentials, has reinforced its affordability status in the market by reducing the price of 100 basic food items to the lowest price they can offer for an extended period of three months from 28 April 2025.

Kevin Maier, Makro Vice President for Food & Groceries, says, “Making food more affordable matters to us, especially considering the rising cost of living. We have therefore identified the most important essential food and grocery products for our customers and invested in lowering their prices.”

Maier goes on to explain that the price investment in three-month-long rollback initiatives such as this one is typically funded by targeting non-payroll cost savings within Makro, which are reinvested in reducing prices for Makro’s customers. 

Makro has been thoughtful about which items to place on this three-month-long rollback, taking into consideration specific customer needs and expectations. The items on rollback include both food and consumables, and of the 100 lines selected, 28 are M Brand products - Makro’s private brand. Maier says, “We were intentional about selecting lines that we know not only offer the most value, especially in the case of our private brands, but also products that our research shows are being purchased with highest frequency by Makro customers.”

Products for which price reductions have been implemented include essential food basket items such as:

• BLACK CAT Peanut Butter 800 g at R79,95 (was R89,95)
• BOKOMO CORN FLAKES 1.4KG at R69,95 (was R89,95)
• CROSSE & BLACKWELL Mayonnaise (All Variants) 1 x 750 g at R38,95 (was R48,95)
• FLORA Margarine Tub (Medium or Light) 1 kg at R59,95 (was R74,95)
• ALWAYS ULTRA PADS 14'S, PLATINUM LONG at R49,95 (was R66,95)
• HANDY ANDY Cream 750 ml at R25,95 (was R29,95)

The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity (PMBEJD) Household Affordability Index noted that food and grocery costs amount to approximately 58.6% of the average household budget for a family of four.

Food and groceries are, therefore, an obvious target for investment in lower prices for extended periods to ensure greater low-price predictability and better household budgetary control for consumers. 

“We believe low price predictability in food and groceries will go a long way towards helping our customers manage their budgets. We’ll also be adding more items to these 100 items in the months to come,” adds Maier.

Supplied by: Makro.

Guzzle Media