Johannesburg, 8 October 2026 - Stokvels are a significant part of South Africa’s financial landscape, with an estimated annual value of R50 billion. More than 800,000 active groups serve between 11 million and 11.5 million members. These range from burial societies and education stokvels to property investment groups and grocery stokvels that regularly shop at Makro.
After months of saving together, the period leading up to the festive season is a time when South Africa’s stokvel members get ready to put their money to work. Makro’s latest shopping data reveals the grocery favourites filling their trolleys when they cash out their savings.
This data, which Makro shares annually highlights the groceries most often purchased by stokvels that save with the retailer, showing how these groups maximise their pooled funds during their year-end shop. From everyday household essentials to popular grocery staples, the data highlights the products that matter most when stokvels come together to turn months of disciplined saving into a stock-up shopping trip.
“Stokvels are central to many of the communities we serve, and we see first-hand the excitement of reaching the year’s savings goal,” says Nick Favager, Food Vice President at Massmart. “Our stokvel programme offers preferential pricing to stokvel groups on the products they buy most often, helping them maximise their collective buying power through value, convenience and a shopping experience tailored to their needs.”
Some of their favourite picks from last year include but are not limited to:
- ALL GOLD TOMATO SAUCE 700ML
- SPEKKO PARBOILED RICE 10KG
- TASTIC RICE 10KG
- KOO BAKED BEANS IN TOMATO SAUCE 400G
- LUCKY STAR PILCHARDS TOMATO 400G
- FALCON CRYSTAL GLASS MOSAIC LIME GRN 25MM
- MAQ WASHING POWDER FLEXI BAG 2KG
- EXCELLA SUNFLOWER OIL 2LT
- SELATI BROWN SUGAR 10KG
Bringing stokvels together in store
To celebrate another year of saving, Makro is also hosting its annual Stokvel Parties across selected Makro stores. The events give participating stokvels an opportunity to spend the day with Makro, discover products and stokvel exclusive promotions, and enjoy supplier tastings, giveaways and other instore entertainment.
The parties also give stokvel groups an opportunity to explore the Stokvel preferential pricing available to them, helping them see the value they can unlock when they shop collectively with their annual savings.
For Makro, the annual stokvel season is about more than the final shopping trip. It is an opportunity to recognise the discipline, community and collective financial commitment that stokvels represent; while helping members get more value from the savings they have built together throughout the year.
Stokvel Parties will take place at the below selected participating Makro stores, with groups invited to join the celebrations and make the most of their annual shopping experience:
Makro Crown Mines, Carnival and Struben’s Valley – 10 October 2026
Makro Woodmead, Alberton, Silver Lakes, Amanzimtoti and Germiston – 17 October 2026
Makro Bloemfontein, Vaal, and Polokwane – 24 October 2026
Makro Riversands - 31 October 2026
