Shopping in Johannesburg

Grocery shopping in Johannesburg is similar to any Western country. South Africa has several large supermarket chains and several smaller speciality shops, and all types of shops are present all over Johannesburg. As in all locations, where you end up going will depend on your personal taste and budget, but you can be sure there will be a shop conveniently located close to where you live.

Furthermore, shelves will be stocked with many of the goods familiar from home, with the addition of a few strange new favourites. For a taste of true South Africa, try Mrs Ball’s Chutney, snack on a bit of biltong or load the shopping cart with Choc-kits, NikNaks or Ouma Rusks.

Otherwise, for the most part, grocery shops in South Africa claim an impressive meat and poultry selection, a large assortment of dry and canned goods, and a healthy variety of fresh fruit and vegetables. Halaal products are available in most of the grocery shops.

Supermarkets in South Africa sell wine but generally do not sell spirits or beer. However, many larger chain stores will have subsidiary shops selling all types of alcohol next to their main shop.

Additionally, select chains accept utility payments, sell electricity and airtime for both mobile and landline telephones, and even have on-site post offices or ticket box offices.

Nationwide grocery shops in Johannesburg

• Woolworths – A little pricey but also has the best quality food by far, well known, especially for its fresh produce and good meat. It’s hard to go back to anything else after shopping at ‘Woollies’.
• Spar – Less expensive than Woolworths but also considered lower quality than ‘Woollies’, Spar has a larger selection, especially at Superspar centres, with many imported brands and a nice deli with wide European bread selection.
• Pick n Pay – Similar selection to Spar (minus the imported brands) but lower prices; a good place to stock up on basics such as packaged goods and cleaning supplies. Pick n Pay also has an online shopping service where groceries can be delivered to one’s home for a small fee.
• Checkers – Slightly cheaper than Pick n Pay with an equally wide range of quality products. Known for offering the best grocery delivery service in South Africa.

Speciality shops in Johannesburg

• Food Lover’s Market – A chain of upscale fresh food shops throughout South Africa.
• Local butcheries – South Africans take their meat very seriously. The proof is in the country’s wealth of excellent, privately owned butcheries such as Schwaben Butchery in Edenvale, Sloane’s Butchery & Deli in Bryanston, and Berliner Grill & Deli in North Riding and Sandton.

Pharmacies in Johannesburg

• Dis-Chem – The largest and most well-stocked South African pharmacy. If an item can’t be found anywhere else, chances are it’s sold at Dis-Chem; it stocks everything from electric toothbrushes to fish oil vitamins. Although the lines can be long, it also has the largest availability and reasonable pricing for prescription drugs.
• Clicks – These pharmacies can be found in almost every shopping centre and often next to doctor’s offices. They are convenient for prescription drugs, but they may be more expensive than other pharmacies.