OK Foods led the retail market in affordability this January, recording the lowest total basket cost at N$1,034.78. This was followed by Checkers (N$1,060.78) and Shoprite (N$1,078.78), both of which continue to show strong pricing consistency.
In contrast, Metro and Spar registered the highest costs, with baskets totaling N$1,194.78 and N$1,184.79 respectively. The data indicates that while food prices across the board remain competitive, the higher totals at Metro and Spar were largely driven by steeper margins on non-food essentials and cleaning products.
Category-Based Price Insights
1. Staple Foods (Bread, Maize Meal, Rice, Sugar, Pasta, Oil)
Staple food prices remained relatively stable across the retail sector in January 2026, though specific item variations persisted.
- Shoprite and Checkers maintained a consistent lead in the affordability of core essentials, particularly bread, sugar, and maize meal.
- Cooking Oil (2L): Checkers offered the most competitive price at N$74.99, followed closely by Choppies at N$76.99.
- Rice (2kg): Prices showed minimal fluctuation, with OK Foods and Model providing the market lows at N$37.99.
Overall, Shoprite continues to be the most reliable low-cost provider for high-volume staples, playing a critical role in supporting the purchasing power of price-sensitive households.
2. Fresh & Protein Items (Chicken, Mince, Eggs, Vegetables)
OK Foods emerged as the market leader in this segment, offering the most competitive rates for high-demand items:
- Chicken (1.5kg): Priced at a market low of N$74.99 at OK Foods, while costs at Spar, Model, and Shoprite showed a sharp upward trajectory.
- Beef Mince (1kg): This remains the most volatile item in the basket, with an extreme variance ranging from N$104.99 at OK Foods to N$199.99 at Choppies, a nearly 90% price spread.
- Vegetables: Essentials such as onions, potatoes, and tomatoes were most affordable at OK Foods and Choppies. In contrast, Spar recorded significantly higher price points, particularly for potatoes.
Overall, OK Foods’ aggressive pricing strategy on perishables and proteins solidified its position as the most affordable choice for fresh grocery shopping in January 2026.
3. Cleaning & Household Products
Pricing for household and cleaning essentials—including toilet paper, detergents, and personal hygiene products showed moderate variation across the retail landscape in January 2026. Model and OK Foods emerged as the market leaders in this category, offering the most competitively priced baskets and effectively helping to mitigate overall household costs.
4. Dairy & Processed Foods
- Long-life milk (1L) was the cheapest at Model and Choppies (N$19.99).
- Butter prices were lowest at Choppies (N$26.99).
- Canned foods (pilchards and corned meat) are most competitively priced at Choppies and Spar, supporting affordability for protein substitutes.
Conclusion & Consumer Takeaway
OK Foods secured the title of cheapest overall retailer for the month of January 2026, leveraging a clear price advantage in fresh produce and proteins. While Shoprite and Checkers remain the benchmarks for staples. Metro and Spar saw their basket totals inflated primarily by higher margins on household and cleaning goods rather than food prices. Significant price gaps in items such as mince, toilet paper, and vegetables highlights opportunities for consumers to mix-and-match retailers to minimize monthly household spend.
