Save Big: How SA Pensioners Stretch Rands at Makro, Game & Builders

As more than four million older South Africans navigate life on social grants, retailers continue to play an important role in helping pensioners stretch their rands further and better manage fixed monthly incomes. Against this backdrop, opportunities to save on everyday household purchases can make a meaningful difference to monthly budgets.

For shoppers aged 60 and over, the dedicated pensioner discounts available across Makro, Game and Builders provide opportunities to save on everyday purchases ranging from groceries and household essentials to general merchandise and home improvement products. 

While each retailer's programme works differently, the common objective is to provide older customers with additional value on the products they regularly need.

"We understand that value means different things to different customers, but for pensioners it often means making a fixed monthly income stretch further," says Charmagne Mazhindu, Massmart Vice President for Marketing.

"Our Makro and Game stores for instance, offer the country’s best grocery savings, with pensioner discounts on the products older customers buy most often. These savings increase their purchasing power and help them manage everyday expenses with confidence."

Makro offers daily savings through mSeniors

Makro customers aged 60 and older can access its pensioner discount programme through the mSeniors card, receiving 10% off qualifying general merchandise and up to 5% off qualifying food and groceries. The programme also offers pensioners priority entry and dedicated checkout lanes in store.

Makro's own mSeniors shopping data highlights the everyday essentials pensioners rely on most.

The five most popular purchases among pensioner shoppers include bread, milk, tissue, baked beans, cleaning products, refuse bags, LPG Gas, bananas and soft drinks. 

Notably, LPG gas ranks among the most frequently purchased items, reflecting how many households, especially pensioners, are increasingly looking for practical ways to manage rising electricity costs. Recent electricity tariff increases continue to place pressure on household budgets, making savings on alternative cooking and heating solutions increasingly valuable for older South Africans living on fixed incomes.

"The products our pensioner customers buy tell an important story,” says Mazhindu.

"They'reprioritising everyday essentials that keep their households running, from groceries to energy solutions like LPG gas. As the cost of living continues to put pressure on fixed incomes, we’re committed to ensuring that our pensioner discounts help customers save on the products they rely on most, allowing every rand to go a little further."

To qualify for the Makro pensioners discount, customers must be 60 or older and apply in person at the customer service desk at a Makro store by presenting their South African ID. The mSeniors card must then be presented at checkout to access the applicable discount. The benefit applies to in-store purchases only and excludes products that are already marked down, on promotion or included in clearance campaigns.

Game gives pensioners 10% off purchases up to R3,000

At Game, senior citizens aged 60 and older can receive a 10% discount on qualifying purchases of up to R3,000, with the benefit available every day of the week. Customers can register for their pensioner profile or card at the customer service desk at their local Game store.

A Game Senior Citizens Card, which can be applied for in any Game store in South Africa, together with a valid ID document or passport, must be presented at the till. The discount applies to in-store purchases in South Africa and cannot be used online. It also cannot be combined with Game's Price Beat or other promotional discounts.

Builders turns Wednesdays into pensioner savings days

Builders offers registered customers aged 60 and older a 10% pensioner discount every Wednesday through its free Builders+ programme. 

Customers need to register for Builders+ and present an official ID document to verify their age and link it to their profile. Unlike the Makro and Game programmes, the Builders discount can be applied both in store and online at checkout.

Certain exclusions apply, including products priced below cost, already discounted or promotional items, Value Added Services (VAS), major appliances and air-conditioning units, electrical cables, cement, bricks, pavers, aggregates and lintels.

The three programmes give pensioners different ways to plan their spending around available savings. For older South Africans managing household expenses on fixed incomes, understanding what discounts apply, what they cover and when they are available can help ensure that valuable savings are not missed.

Supplied by: Massmart. 

Guzzle Media