SA FMCG Retail in 2025: The Year in Review
December 10, 2025
Trade Tatler Newsletter
News from the FMCG retail industry – delivered fresh every week
THIS ISSUE: 4 December 2025
SPAR’s new Gourmet format | Clicks opens 1,000th store
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Hello and welcome to December! What? Already? Yup indeed, but as we approach the end of yet another year in this dynamic industry, we still have a job to do, and that is to keep you up to speed with what’s up in FMCG retail. Like SPAR, which has opened a brand new format on the KZN north coast, just in time for when tannie en oom from Jozi come to the beach. Or Clicks, which has opened its 1,000th store in its quest to make affordable healthcare accessible to more and more South Africans. Or indeed Woolies, whose bag has drawn it into a physical court as well as the court of public opinion. Never a dull moment in FMCG, eh? Enjoy the read.
5
SPAR Gourmet stores to open in 2026
85,000
shoppers visited Clearwater Mall on Walmart opening day
1,000
Clicks stores now trading
+55%
increase in operating profit for Quantum Foods over FY2025
108
the number of years Eskort has been in business
YOUR NUMBERS THIS WEEK
RETAILERS AND WHOLESALERS
SPAR
Gourmet your day
SPAR Group opened its very first SPAR Gourmet store at Zimbali Oasis in Ballito, KZN, last week, a new format that is dialling premium retailing up a notch, or three. We went to check it out for ourselves, and it is fancaaaay, darl – as we walked in, we were offered a flute of sparkling wine or orange juice, and friendly staff walked around with delicious strawberries dipped in dark chocolate. What to expect, then? On entry, shoppers are greeted by a dessert shop with cakes, cupcakes, cookies and ice-cream, followed by a hot deli, a wood-fire pizza oven (with an extensive pizza menu), a sushi bar, and even an in-store Vida e Caffè. The store also offers a range of “Frozen For You” ready-made meals, and other “Gourmet Meal Solutions” for when you’re stuck for dinner ideas. But it doesn’t stop there – there’s a wine cellar, an in-store florist and a beautiful gifting section. The store is bright and airy, with no expense spared on the top-notch fixtures used. The SPAR Gourmet format was first launched in Austria in the early noughties, and it is still the only other country where it is currently found. SPAR in South Africa plans to open another five Gourmet stores over the course of 2026. For a brief look tour in store, take a look at this clip by regional radio station, East Coast Radio, which aired live on location on opening day.
Source: Tatler Reporter 27/11/25
Ti Perspective: This is retail theatre at its finest. Well done SPAR – we can’t wait for one of these to open in our neighbourhood.
Clicks
One, two, skip a few… 999, 1000
Clicks is celebrating two important milestones this week: the opening of its 1,000th store in Omni Square, Bassonia (JHB), and its second UniCare 24/7 Trusted Health store just around the block in the Bassonia Shopping Centre. The 1,000th store, located in a growing community with a mix of families and young professionals, is larger than a typical Clicks outlet with wider aisles and an upgraded layout. It boasts an elevated Beauty Hall, a full-service pharmacy, what Clicks is calling an “enhanced Health Elevation offering” (i.e. its healthcare services and products), and a redesigned customer experience which focuses on convenience, value and accessibility. Moving on to the 24-hour store down the road, UniCare 24/7 Trusted Health is building on the legacy of M-Kem Pharmacy in Bellville, Cape Town (now also known as UniCare), offering 24-hour pharmacy access, after-hours doctors and specialised clinics. Services include diabetes, vaccination, travel, and wound-care clinics, as well as specialised orthopaedic and surgical support. Bassonia is the second of 10 planned large-format pharmacy and wellness hubs, supporting Clicks’ vision of bringing 24-hour pharmacy and advanced health services to more communities across the country.
Source: Tatler Reporter 01/12/25
Ti Perspective: Health and beauty specialists like Clicks and Dis-Chem are in a prime position to make affordable healthcare accessible to all – a compelling example of the role corporate South Africa can play in bridging gaps in our essential services.
In Brief
Cat out the bag
Talk about impeccable timing… and the extraordinary ability of South Africans to turn even our most troubling stories of crime and corruption into a source of national diversion. Like the story of the black Woolies bag, which Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala (currently in prison on charges of attempted murder, money laundering, defeating the ends of justice and more) has admitted to using as a “money bag” when paying bribes to government officials. The news set the socials alight, with South Africans commenting on the many uses of the iconic black W bag. And then Woolworths goes and changes it – to white and slightly translucent. Certainly not suited to hiding hundreds and thousands of rands anymore. Is there such a thing as bad press? Probably not, but rightly so, Woolies is not weighing in on the banter.
Moving very swiftly along, Sixty60 has made its first delivery to a houseboat – by helicopter. Why? Well, why not, and also to show South Africans that this Dezember “Sixty60’s got summer delivered”. Have a look at the fun video here.
Next, Pick n Pay has announced that CFO Lerena Olivier will be changing roles within the business come August next year. The decision comes as the retailer has been facing losses and intensifying rivalry in the sector. The role will be taken over by Tina Rookledge, formerly a regional managing partner at EY, who will be joining Pick n Pay in Feb to start the formal transition period. Olivier will remain at Pick n Pay, moving into an executive role focused on key initiatives linked to the company’s recovery plan.
And to close off, 22 November was a big day not only for Walmart when it opened its first store at Clearwater Mall, but also for Hyprop, the mall’s owner, which on that particular Saturday saw footfall of around 85,000 shoppers compared to the normal Saturday average of 37,000. The numbers have no doubt normalised by now, but if the prices seen in a Walmart-conducted survey are maintained, Hyprop will be loving its new tenant. Compared to two unnamed competitors, Walmart’s basket of goods came out cheaper at R1,680 versus R1,713 and R1,868 for competitors 1 and 2, and if promos are taken out of the equation, says Walmart, the savings are even greater, with the totals at R1,895 and R1,901 respectively for their baskets.
source: Tatler Reporter 26/11/25
Ti Perspective: It will be interesting to see how South Africans respond to Walmart’s famous ‘every day low prices’ approach, now that they are so conditioned to hunting down the best offers across retailers. Time will tell.
International Retailers
Mac-simum effect
We all know about Black Friday, but have you ever heard about Mac Friday? If anyone can turn something into a thing, it’s Walmart, which did exactly that by creating a 65-inch novelty box of Kraft Mac & Cheese, shaped like a big screen TV, but filled with 65 boxes of the cheesy pasta. It ended up being a hot Black Friday seller, with stocks running out within minutes when Walmart opened its promos at midnight in the States. At a 75% discount on the product’s regular price, it was quite the steal.
Next, Costco has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, asking for a “full refund” on the import duties that the wholesaler has had to pay under certain tariff policies implemented by Trump. Costco has also filed a motion to combine its lawsuit with nearly two dozen others filed by American companies that are challenging the legality of the tariffs. In a separate but related case, the tariffs are currently facing a central challenge at the Supreme Court. If the complainant wins, it could invalidate them, potentially making the government liable for refunding collected duties to importers.
In closing, Asda and Morrisons in the UK are both doing their bit for those feeling forgotten this festive season. In the case of Asda, it has donated half a million pounds to community groups which bring people together, reduce social isolation and support those most in need during the winter months. In surveys conducted by the retailer, one in ten over 60s said they had gone to a supermarket simply to speak to another person, and almost one in five over 60s said there were days when they didn’t speak to anyone in the run-up to Christmas. In a similar vein, Morrisons will be opening its new “Talking Till” from today, where shoppers can go for a slower checkout process, manned by staff who will engage with shoppers in conversation for those feeling lonely at this time of year.
Source: QZ.com 01/12/25, ABC 02/11/25, grocerytrader.co.uk 03/12/25, Western Telegraph 04/12/25
Ti Perspective: The fact that initiatives like this even exist and are necessary says something about our modern society. Huge kudos to these businesses that have seen those who are on the fringes of our society and done something about it.
MANUFACTURERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS
Quantum Foods
Flying high
After a torrid couple of years due to load shedding and bird flu, things are perking up for the poultry sector. Our first view of this came a couple of weeks ago when we covered Astral’s full-year numbers, and now Quantum Food’s results tell a similar story. Revenue found its wings, growing +12.9% to R7.15bn in the year ended September, while operating profit grew a plucky +55.3% to R361m. Quantum’s animal feeds division was the rooster of the show, with revenue up +5.6% to R3.3bn, thanks in part to a recovery in its total feed volumes, which grew +8.7%. Eggs, represented by the Nulaid brand, also showed its, ahem, egg-cellence, increasing revenue by +47%, despite a 17.1% decline in average selling prices, thanks to volumes being +79.5% higher than last year, when bird flu was at its peak. Looking ahead, the Group says that “Future value creation will come from scaling efficient, lower-risk production models, leveraging technology to enhance efficiencies, planning and logistics, and deepening our presence in African growth markets.”
Source: Business Day 30/11/25
Ti Perspective: Which really is how most businesses seem to be tackling the short-term – cutting costs, harnessing technology, ramping up efficiencies and growing in underserved areas – in no particular pecking order. Ok, we’ll stop.
Eskort
Pivot, pivot, PIVOT!
Eskort has been providing South Africans with their favourite pork products for an astonishing 108 years. To remain relevant over the next 108, the company has decided to reposition from a predominantly retailer and end-consumer model, to a full meal-solutions supplier for the hotel, restaurant and catering market. Currently representing 10% of Eskort’s revenue, the business has ambitious plans to grow its catering division +30% over the next two years. How will it do this? By broadening its convenience offers across all meal occasions, from breakfast to dinner. The shift comes at the right time, too, as pork is enjoying a period of growing consumption thanks to its price advantage over beef and South Africa’s protein staple, chicken. The move has also been aided by the R300m investment Eskort made into its Heidelberg facility, which boasts the largest box freezer in Africa, and can process a whopping 120 tonnes of pork per day. Eskort also supplies regionally to eSwatini, Namibia, Botswana, Rwanda, Mauritius, Seychelles and Madagascar, all markets that are seeing similar growth in pork due to its versatility and affordability.
Source: Business Day 01/12/25
Ti Perspective: Good stuff Eskort, remain stagnant at your peril. Just ask Kodak, which had been operating for 120 years when it filed for bankruptcy.
TRADE ENVIRONMENT
GDP
Households driving expenditure growth By Ti Retail Economist, Carey Leighton
Stats SA’s GDP data for Q3/2025 was pretty much as expected at +0.5% QoQ, not as good as Q2 (+0.9%), but it does mean we have a shot at the forecasted +1.3% growth for 2025, as long as Q4 plays along nicely. Let’s take a closer look at the Q3 numbers:
Production i.e. what industries/sectors are producing (aka supply side)
-
- Primary sector ticked up +1.8% QoQ, supported by increases in both Agriculture (+1.1%) and Mining (+2.3%)
- Secondary sector -0.8% QoQ
- Manufacturing: +0.3%, supported by growth from four of the ten manufacturing divisions, notably food and beverages, and furniture, in this quarter
- Construction: +0.1%, due to increased non-residential building and construction works
- Electricity, gas & water: declined 2.5%, with lower electricity production and consumption over the quarter
- Tertiary sector grew +0.5%, with increased activity in all industries. Notable increases include:
- Trade: +1.0% QoQ, including increased activity across wholesale, retail, motor trade, accommodation and food and beverage
- Finance: +0.3%
- Government services: +0.7% QoQ
Expenditure i.e. who is buying the final output (aka demand side)
-
- Households: +0.7% QoQ. +3.4% growth from durables, especially household goods: +2.0% and transport: +1.6% (i.e. vehicle sales). Non-durables: +0.6%, with food and non-alcoholic beverage expenditure: +0.9%. Services: +0.3% and semi-durables (e.g. clothing): -0.3% QoQ
- Government: +0.3% due to increased employment in civil service
- Investment: +1.6% with growth from most asset types (e.g. transfer costs: +9.9%, transport equipment: +6.6%); however, residential buildings: -1.0%
- Exports growth (+0.7%) offset by growth in imports (+2.2%)
Source: Source: Stats SA 27/11/25
Note: Growth is quarter-on-quarter (QoQ), seasonally adjusted, at constant 2015 prices
Ti Perspective: While production GDP shows us where the economy is growing (e.g. the primary and tertiary sectors), expenditure GDP shows that households are driving demand growth for Q3, increasing expenditure on durables (notably vehicle sales and household goods). The latest interest rate cut will likely continue to support the growth in durables over Q4 and the festive season. For a deeper look at GDP and other economic indicators, check out this snapshot here – part of the Trade Intelligence Monthly SA Economic Report set.
THE WEEKLY GURU
“I grew up eating fried food. I thought that macaroni and cheese was a vegetable.”
Lauren Alaina
RETAILERS AND WHOLESALERS
SPAR
Gourmet your day
SPAR Group opened its very first SPAR Gourmet store at Zimbali Oasis in Ballito, KZN, last week, a new format that is dialling premium retailing up a notch, or three. We went to check it out for ourselves, and it is fancaaaay, darl – as we walked in, we were offered a flute of sparkling wine or orange juice, and friendly staff walked around with delicious strawberries dipped in dark chocolate. What to expect, then? On entry, shoppers are greeted by a dessert shop with cakes, cupcakes, cookies and ice-cream, followed by a hot deli, a wood-fire pizza oven (with an extensive pizza menu), a sushi bar, and even an in-store Vida e Caffè. The store also offers a range of “Frozen For You” ready-made meals, and other “Gourmet Meal Solutions” for when you’re stuck for dinner ideas. But it doesn’t stop there – there’s a wine cellar, an in-store florist and a beautiful gifting section. The store is bright and airy, with no expense spared on the top-notch fixtures used. The SPAR Gourmet format was first launched in Austria in the early noughties, and it is still the only other country where it is currently found. SPAR in South Africa plans to open another five Gourmet stores over the course of 2026. For a brief look tour in store, take a look at this clip by regional radio station, East Coast Radio, which aired live on location on opening day.
Source: Tatler Reporter 27/11/25
Ti Perspective: This is retail theatre at its finest. Well done SPAR – we can’t wait for one of these to open in our neighbourhood.
Clicks
One, two, skip a few… 999, 1000
Clicks is celebrating two important milestones this week: the opening of its 1,000th store in Omni Square, Bassonia (JHB), and its second UniCare 24/7 Trusted Health store just around the block in the Bassonia Shopping Centre. The 1,000th store, located in a growing community with a mix of families and young professionals, is larger than a typical Clicks outlet with wider aisles and an upgraded layout. It boasts an elevated Beauty Hall, a full-service pharmacy, what Clicks is calling an “enhanced Health Elevation offering” (i.e. its healthcare services and products), and a redesigned customer experience which focuses on convenience, value and accessibility. Moving on to the 24-hour store down the road, UniCare 24/7 Trusted Health is building on the legacy of M-Kem Pharmacy in Bellville, Cape Town (now also known as UniCare), offering 24-hour pharmacy access, after-hours doctors and specialised clinics. Services include diabetes, vaccination, travel, and wound-care clinics, as well as specialised orthopaedic and surgical support. Bassonia is the second of 10 planned large-format pharmacy and wellness hubs, supporting Clicks’ vision of bringing 24-hour pharmacy and advanced health services to more communities across the country.
Source: Tatler Reporter 01/12/25
Ti Perspective: Health and beauty specialists like Clicks and Dis-Chem are in a prime position to make affordable healthcare accessible to all – a compelling example of the role corporate South Africa can play in bridging gaps in our essential services.
In Brief
Cat out the bag
Talk about impeccable timing… and the extraordinary ability of South Africans to turn even our most troubling stories of crime and corruption into a source of national diversion. Like the story of the black Woolies bag, which Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala (currently in prison on charges of attempted murder, money laundering, defeating the ends of justice and more) has admitted to using as a “money bag” when paying bribes to government officials. The news set the socials alight, with South Africans commenting on the many uses of the iconic black W bag. And then Woolworths goes and changes it – to white and slightly translucent. Certainly not suited to hiding hundreds and thousands of rands anymore. Is there such a thing as bad press? Probably not, but rightly so, Woolies is not weighing in on the banter.
Moving very swiftly along, Sixty60 has made its first delivery to a houseboat – by helicopter. Why? Well, why not, and also to show South Africans that this Dezember “Sixty60’s got summer delivered”. Have a look at the fun video here.
Next, Pick n Pay has announced that CFO Lerena Olivier will be changing roles within the business come August next year. The decision comes as the retailer has been facing losses and intensifying rivalry in the sector. The role will be taken over by Tina Rookledge, formerly a regional managing partner at EY, who will be joining Pick n Pay in Feb to start the formal transition period. Olivier will remain at Pick n Pay, moving into an executive role focused on key initiatives linked to the company’s recovery plan.
And to close off, 22 November was a big day not only for Walmart when it opened its first store at Clearwater Mall, but also for Hyprop, the mall’s owner, which on that particular Saturday saw footfall of around 85,000 shoppers compared to the normal Saturday average of 37,000. The numbers have no doubt normalised by now, but if the prices seen in a Walmart-conducted survey are maintained, Hyprop will be loving its new tenant. Compared to two unnamed competitors, Walmart’s basket of goods came out cheaper at R1,680 versus R1,713 and R1,868 for competitors 1 and 2, and if promos are taken out of the equation, says Walmart, the savings are even greater, with the totals at R1,895 and R1,901 respectively for their baskets.
source: Tatler Reporter 26/11/25
Ti Perspective: It will be interesting to see how South Africans respond to Walmart’s famous ‘every day low prices’ approach, now that they are so conditioned to hunting down the best offers across retailers. Time will tell.
International Retailers
Mac-simum effect
We all know about Black Friday, but have you ever heard about Mac Friday? If anyone can turn something into a thing, it’s Walmart, which did exactly that by creating a 65-inch novelty box of Kraft Mac & Cheese, shaped like a big screen TV, but filled with 65 boxes of the cheesy pasta. It ended up being a hot Black Friday seller, with stocks running out within minutes when Walmart opened its promos at midnight in the States. At a 75% discount on the product’s regular price, it was quite the steal.
Next, Costco has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, asking for a “full refund” on the import duties that the wholesaler has had to pay under certain tariff policies implemented by Trump. Costco has also filed a motion to combine its lawsuit with nearly two dozen others filed by American companies that are challenging the legality of the tariffs. In a separate but related case, the tariffs are currently facing a central challenge at the Supreme Court. If the complainant wins, it could invalidate them, potentially making the government liable for refunding collected duties to importers.
In closing, Asda and Morrisons in the UK are both doing their bit for those feeling forgotten this festive season. In the case of Asda, it has donated half a million pounds to community groups which bring people together, reduce social isolation and support those most in need during the winter months. In surveys conducted by the retailer, one in ten over 60s said they had gone to a supermarket simply to speak to another person, and almost one in five over 60s said there were days when they didn’t speak to anyone in the run-up to Christmas. In a similar vein, Morrisons will be opening its new “Talking Till” from today, where shoppers can go for a slower checkout process, manned by staff who will engage with shoppers in conversation for those feeling lonely at this time of year.
Source: QZ.com 01/12/25, ABC 02/11/25, grocerytrader.co.uk 03/12/25, Western Telegraph 04/12/25
Ti Perspective: The fact that initiatives like this even exist and are necessary says something about our modern society. Huge kudos to these businesses that have seen those who are on the fringes of our society and done something about it.
MANUFACTURERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS
Quantum Foods
Flying high
After a torrid couple of years due to load shedding and bird flu, things are perking up for the poultry sector. Our first view of this came a couple of weeks ago when we covered Astral’s full-year numbers, and now Quantum Food’s results tell a similar story. Revenue found its wings, growing +12.9% to R7.15bn in the year ended September, while operating profit grew a plucky +55.3% to R361m. Quantum’s animal feeds division was the rooster of the show, with revenue up +5.6% to R3.3bn, thanks in part to a recovery in its total feed volumes, which grew +8.7%. Eggs, represented by the Nulaid brand, also showed its, ahem, egg-cellence, increasing revenue by +47%, despite a 17.1% decline in average selling prices, thanks to volumes being +79.5% higher than last year, when bird flu was at its peak. Looking ahead, the Group says that “Future value creation will come from scaling efficient, lower-risk production models, leveraging technology to enhance efficiencies, planning and logistics, and deepening our presence in African growth markets.”
Source: Business Day 30/11/25
Ti Perspective: Which really is how most businesses seem to be tackling the short-term – cutting costs, harnessing technology, ramping up efficiencies and growing in underserved areas – in no particular pecking order. Ok, we’ll stop.
Eskort
Pivot, pivot, PIVOT!
Eskort has been providing South Africans with their favourite pork products for an astonishing 108 years. To remain relevant over the next 108, the company has decided to reposition from a predominantly retailer and end-consumer model, to a full meal-solutions supplier for the hotel, restaurant and catering market. Currently representing 10% of Eskort’s revenue, the business has ambitious plans to grow its catering division +30% over the next two years. How will it do this? By broadening its convenience offers across all meal occasions, from breakfast to dinner. The shift comes at the right time, too, as pork is enjoying a period of growing consumption thanks to its price advantage over beef and South Africa’s protein staple, chicken. The move has also been aided by the R300m investment Eskort made into its Heidelberg facility, which boasts the largest box freezer in Africa, and can process a whopping 120 tonnes of pork per day. Eskort also supplies regionally to eSwatini, Namibia, Botswana, Rwanda, Mauritius, Seychelles and Madagascar, all markets that are seeing similar growth in pork due to its versatility and affordability.
Source: Business Day 01/12/25
Ti Perspective: Good stuff Eskort, remain stagnant at your peril. Just ask Kodak, which had been operating for 120 years when it filed for bankruptcy.
TRADE ENVIRONMENT
GDP
Households driving expenditure growth By Ti Retail Economist, Carey Leighton
Stats SA’s GDP data for Q3/2025 was pretty much as expected at +0.5% QoQ, not as good as Q2 (+0.9%), but it does mean we have a shot at the forecasted +1.3% growth for 2025, as long as Q4 plays along nicely. Let’s take a closer look at the Q3 numbers:
Production i.e. what industries/sectors are producing (aka supply side)
-
- Primary sector ticked up +1.8% QoQ, supported by increases in both Agriculture (+1.1%) and Mining (+2.3%)
- Secondary sector -0.8% QoQ
- Manufacturing: +0.3%, supported by growth from four of the ten manufacturing divisions, notably food and beverages, and furniture, in this quarter
- Construction: +0.1%, due to increased non-residential building and construction works
- Electricity, gas & water: declined 2.5%, with lower electricity production and consumption over the quarter
- Tertiary sector grew +0.5%, with increased activity in all industries. Notable increases include:
- Trade: +1.0% QoQ, including increased activity across wholesale, retail, motor trade, accommodation and food and beverage
- Finance: +0.3%
- Government services: +0.7% QoQ
Expenditure i.e. who is buying the final output (aka demand side)
-
- Households: +0.7% QoQ. +3.4% growth from durables, especially household goods: +2.0% and transport: +1.6% (i.e. vehicle sales). Non-durables: +0.6%, with food and non-alcoholic beverage expenditure: +0.9%. Services: +0.3% and semi-durables (e.g. clothing): -0.3% QoQ
- Government: +0.3% due to increased employment in civil service
- Investment: +1.6% with growth from most asset types (e.g. transfer costs: +9.9%, transport equipment: +6.6%); however, residential buildings: -1.0%
- Exports growth (+0.7%) offset by growth in imports (+2.2%)
Source: Source: Stats SA 27/11/25
Note: Growth is quarter-on-quarter (QoQ), seasonally adjusted, at constant 2015 prices
Ti Perspective: While production GDP shows us where the economy is growing (e.g. the primary and tertiary sectors), expenditure GDP shows that households are driving demand growth for Q3, increasing expenditure on durables (notably vehicle sales and household goods). The latest interest rate cut will likely continue to support the growth in durables over Q4 and the festive season. For a deeper look at GDP and other economic indicators, check out this snapshot here – part of the Trade Intelligence Monthly SA Economic Report set.
SA FMCG Retail in 2025: The Year in Review
December 10, 2025
THE WEEKLY GURU
“I grew up eating fried food. I thought that macaroni and cheese was a vegetable.”
Lauren Alaina
Keep your finger on the pulse of FMCG retail
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