South Africa, Sept. 17 -- In South African townships, economic necessity trumps sentiment, forcing households to optimise every rand, which is rewriting the rules of retail engagement.

Food inflation reached a 15-month high of 5.1% in June 2025 according to StatsSA, and the Household Affordability Index recorded a basic 44-item food basket at R5,443.12, a 3.6% year-on-year increase.

Against this backdrop, 39% of township shoppers switch brands when prices rise, with the highest concentration (44%) among households spending between R1,001 and R2,000 monthly on groceries.

This isn't disloyalty; it's survival economics.

The Supermarket Surge

The data shows a parallel trend of increased supermarket adoption.

Of those who switch brands d...