South African Shoppers Increasingly Rely on Discounts
A survey conducted in August 2026 reveals that consumers are prioritising deals to manage rising costs of living.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Couponing
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Are you currently changing your shopping habits to cope with rising household costs?
As of August 2026, 69% of South African shoppers identify food prices as their primary financial strain. To combat this, 80% of consumers now wait for promotional discounts before making purchases.
Why it matters
Rising costs for fuel, electricity, and food have forced 88% of shoppers to cut back on spending. Many are now altering their shopping habits by switching retailers and delaying non-essential purchases.
A survey of 2,400 participants found that 47.1% of Clicks turnover for the year ended 31 August 2026 was driven by promotional sales. Additionally, 37% of respondents have switched retailers to secure better deals.
The players
Clicks
This is a prominent South African retail pharmacy chain that reported nearly half of its turnover came from promotional sales.
OneDayOnly
This is an online daily deal retailer that has modified its sales strategy by extending the length of its discount offers.
The details
Consumers are increasingly relying on buy-now-pay-later services to spread payments for high-value goods over three months. Meanwhile, retailers like OneDayOnly have extended the duration of 24-hour deals to accommodate the demand for discounts.
Timeline
August 2026 was when the survey of 2,400 participants took place.
31 August 2026 marked the end of the financial year for Clicks.
February 2027 is when buy-now-pay-later usage will begin being reported to credit bureaus.
Culture Shift
The formalisation of buy-now-pay-later transactions into credit scores reflects a broader shift toward tighter oversight of informal debt. This move signals an end to the era where deferred payments existed outside the primary credit reporting system.
Shoppers can expect tighter scrutiny of their credit standing as buy-now-pay-later usage begins to appear on official records. To manage costs, consumers may continue to see more extended promotional periods across major online retailers.
The takeaway
Smart shoppers are increasingly utilizing price comparison tools to navigate the current high-cost environment. Implementing a household budget can help you prioritize essential spending while waiting for optimal promotional windows.
What happens next
Starting in February 2027, buy-now-pay-later usage will be officially reported to credit bureaus and reflected in individual consumer credit scores.
Further reading
For more information on current retail trends, visit our Couponing section.
Live Poll
Are you currently changing your shopping habits to cope with rising household costs?
