Checkers (supermarket Chain)

Checkers is a South African supermarket retailer owned by sister retailer and discount chain Shoprite. Founded in 1956 by Norman Hertz Herber, the chain operates across Southern Africa.

In September 2024, Checkers had 597 stores across South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. The chain focuses on offering groceries to middle and high income consumers.

History

Checkers was founded in 1956 by Norman Herber in Mayfair, Johannesburg. The firm was later expanded and made successful by Raymond Ackerman.

The retailer launched its no-name items, called House Brands, in the 1950s, and by the 1960s, it had expanded to 85 stores across South Africa. Also in the 60s, Checkers became the first retail chain store to use high-density polyethylene bags.

In 1984, Checkers launched at-home shopping, via the South African Post Office, and the following year, the retailer launched its first card payment system in partnership with Barclays Bank.

Also in 1985, Checkers launched South Africa's first grocery delivery system, and in 1986, the company introduced an early version of product price scanning in its stores.

Checkers launched the largest customer engagement drive by a South African retailer in 1990.

In 1991, Checkers was acquired by another South African retail chain (one of the country's largest), Shoprite Group.

Operations

In September 2024, Checkers had 597 stores across 3 countries. This total included 283 supermarkets, 38 Checkers Hyper stores, and 276 Checkers Liquor Shops.

The company's store formats are:

* Checkers - Standard size supermarkets
* Checkers Hyper - Large size stores with a wider range than the supermarkets, including homeware and clothing
* Checkers Outdoor
* Uniq clothing by Checkers
* Checkers Liquor Shop - Alcohol stores positioned separately to supermarkets, as per South African legislation

Sixty60

In November 2019, Checkers launched its home delivery system, called Sixty60. The on-demand, app-based service was the first supermarket delivery service in South Africa that provided a 1-hour delivery window.

In October 2024, Checkers significantly expanded the delivery service’s catalogue to include 10,000 general merchandise items, and then in November of the same year, added 2,500 "premium products" for delivery exclusively in Cape Town.

In March 2025, the retailer further developed Sixty60 by developing a browser-based option for customers to use. Around the same time, it was announced that the delivery platform would expand within sister retailer Shoprite's operations, from the existing 3 branches, to a total of 5, across 3 South African provinces.

In the same month, it was reported that 60Sixty had become the dominant supermarket delivery service in South Africa. The service saw a 110% growth in 2024 alone. It also recorded a 1.3-times increase in the average frequency of customers placing orders through the platform. Shoprite (Checkers' parent company) noted that Sixty60 had created nearly 14,200 new employment opportunities since its launch.

As of December 2024, the Sixty60's on-demand delivery service was available from 601 locations, with the retailer adding 96 new sites in 2024.

Loyalty program

Checkers customers can use their Xtra Savings loyalty card to access program-specific discounts. Cards can be obtained online or in store.

In 2016 Checkers tested the Xtra Savings loyalty card, and subsequently shelved it until its launch in late 2019. This program allows customers to sign-up for a card which they will then need to swipe with each purchase. Unlike other rewards programs, customers are rewarded with instant savings on purchases instead of points to spend later.

Checkers claims that use of the card could result in up to 25% savings and early access to certain sales. There are some public questions about whether the savings are real. This is because discounted prices have been compared with other shop's normal prices. These comparisons seem to indicate that Checkers advertised savings have been exaggerated.

In August 2024, major South African medical aid (health insurance) provider and financial institution, Discovery, partnered with Checkers to offer its Discovery Vitality rewards program members a HealthyFood benefit from certain items sold at Checkers.

In April 2025, Checkers partnered with major South African financial institution, Standard Bank, and the bank's customers can earn Standard Bank uCount rewards points by shopping at Checkers.

Customers can also sign up for an Xtra Savings Plus monthly subscription, for extra rewards, and unlimited Sixty60 deliveries (provided a minimum order spend is met).

References

External links

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Companies based in Cape Town
Supermarkets of South Africa
Retail companies established in 1956
1956 establishments in South Africa

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