Skubu Store Cuts Grocery Costs in South Africa by 50%
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Africa offers groceries at half the price of competitors. Launched in Diepsloot, it allows affordable, container-based refills.">
A groundbreaking store has opened in South Africa, offering essential groceries at prices slashed by up to 50% compared to other retailers. This initiative aims to combat rising food costs and provide affordable options for low-income communities.
Skubu: A New Approach to Affordable Groceries
The pilot store, named Skubu, is located in Diepsloot, Johannesburg. It operates on a refill model, encouraging customers to bring their own containers and purchase the exact quantities of food and household products they need. this approach not only reduces waste but also allows for greater affordability.
Did You Know? The average South African household spends nearly 40% of its income on food, making affordability a critical issue.
Partnership for Innovation
Skubu is a collaborative effort between the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), and Sonke (Pty) Ltd, a local technology company. This partnership leverages innovation to address socio-economic challenges.
The store features refill stations dispensing essential items like maize meal, cooking oil, sugar, rice, and detergent. Prices are fixed per liter or kilogram, ensuring transparency and affordability. Such as, a kilogram of maize meal is priced at R9, and 500g of sugar costs R10, often less than major retail chains.
Pro Tip: Buying in bulk is frequently enough cheaper, but not always feasible for low-income households. Skubu addresses this by offering competitive prices on small quantities.
Customer Response and Impact
Customers have responded positively to Skubu’s lower prices and flexible purchasing options. The ability to buy small amounts at standardized prices is notably beneficial amid rising food costs. According to the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity (PMBEJD) group, a typical household food basket cost R5,443.12 in June 2025, a 3.6% increase from the previous year, outpacing the consumer inflation rate of 2.8%.
In comparison, the consumer price index (CPI) for food and non-alcoholic beverages in South Africa increased by 4.7% year-on-year in April 2024, highlighting the ongoing pressure on household budgets stats SA.
The Skubu store is part of a broader initiative to reduce packaging waste and promote a circular economy. The project is funded through the Circular Economy Demonstration Fund, managed by the CSIR.
The Technology Behind Skubu
Sonke, the technology start-up behind the refill stations, has implemented internet-connected systems to track product movement from warehouse to shelf. This eliminates the need for single-use packaging, reducing costs and environmental impact.
Eben de Jongh, founder of Sonke, emphasizes that Skubu is designed to offer products at prices up to 50% lower than traditional stores, providing an automated refill system where people can buy the quantity of goods they need at an affordable price.
Circular Economy Principles
professor Linda Godfrey, a principal researcher at the CSIR, describes the pilot as a test of how circular economy principles can be applied in practice.the project also serves as a case study in collaboration between research institutions, private companies, and the government.
The CSIR provides technical support for the pilot, helping to identify suitable locations and analyzing data from the refill machines to evaluate the store’s impact and long-term viability.
Dr. Mmboneni Muofhe from the Department of Science, Technology and innovation highlights that the initiative is part of a broader effort to use innovation to promote both environmental sustainability and economic growth.
| Item | Skubu Price | Typical Retail Price |
|---|---|---|
| Maize Meal (1kg) | R9 | R15-R20 |
| Sugar (500g) | R10 | R12-R18 |
Evergreen Insights: the Future of Retail
The Skubu model represents a potential shift in retail, focusing on affordability, sustainability, and community empowerment. As food costs continue to rise globally,innovative solutions like Skubu may become increasingly critically important in ensuring food security and economic stability for vulnerable populations.
The success of the skubu pilot could pave the way for similar initiatives in other low-income areas, both in south Africa and beyond. By leveraging technology and collaboration, it is possible to create more equitable and sustainable food systems.
Frequently Asked Questions About Skubu
- What is the long-term vision for Skubu?
- The long-term vision is to expand the Skubu model to other communities and possibly integrate it with other social programs to provide thorough support to families in need.
- How can other businesses adopt similar sustainable practices?
- Other businesses can adopt similar practices by focusing on waste reduction, partnering with local organizations, and leveraging technology to improve efficiency and affordability.
What are your thoughts on the Skubu initiative? How can we make affordable groceries more accessible to everyone?
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