Black Friday food basket frenzy a pipe dream
The average household food basket increased by R470.28 (10.9%) from R4,317.56 in October 2021 to R4,787.83 in October 2022
The sales craze Black Friday has become a day for eager shoppers to find some reprieve from the ever-increasing cost of living, but core food items don’t seem to be on the list, with slashed prices favouring technology, alcohol and cleaning supplies over basic food items.
However, according to the Household Affordability Index compiled by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group (PMBEJD), which tracks food price data from across the country, prices for October decreased.
The PMBEJD, which tracks food price data from across the country, stated that the cost of the average household food basket decreased by R18.03 (-0.4%) from R4,805.86 in September to R4,787.83 in October 2022.
The average household food basket increased by R470.28 (10.9%) from R4,317.56 in October 2021 to R4,787.83 in October 2022.
The monthly decrease reflected in the local East London market saw a decrease in pricing, but the Dispatch noted that this was not related to Black Friday deals, which were not focused on the items most needed.
With November results yet to be released by PMBEJD, the Dispatch visited three leading retail chains in East London and compared the average price of eight core food items to their prices back in October:
1kg of potatoes increased by 51c to an average of R14.32; 750ml of sunflower oil decreased by R4.00 to an average of R36.32; A dozen large eggs increased by R2 to an average of R35.98; A chicken tray decreased by R8.33 to R65.99; A loaf of brown bread decreased by 5c to an average of R10.33; 1 litre of milk decreased by 33c to an average of R15.66;1kg of butternut decreased by 66c to an average of R16.66; and1kg of maize meal decreased by R1.00 to an average of R14.99.
The PMBEJD said that the average cost of core food was relatively “very expensive in relation to the total money available in the household purse to secure food”.
“The high cost of core staple foods results in a lot of proper nutritious food being removed off the family plates. The consequences of high costs on the core foods has a negative impact on overall household health and wellbeing, and child development.”
Border-Kei Chamber of Business executive director Lizelle Maurice cautioned shoppers to be wise when sussing out Black Friday deals, which she said had been disastrous for local small and mid-size enterprises .
“Black Friday has literally killed October; people are holding back the spending they would usually do. It kills your sales for October and December.
We have to be careful about how we adopt practices from other countries; we must do what is best for our economy. We need to come up with African solutions to Africa’s problems, not follow the stream.”
Maurice explained that consumers were holding onto their spending money in anticipation of deals which may not be worth the wait, with sales reflecting last year’s prices.
“Some SMEs have resorted to a Black Friday month or week; they extend the period to stimulate profits because they’ve come from a dismal October.”
With the global and economic environment plus fuel increases, sales prices are what we saw last year or the year before. Prices increased so significantly that the Black Friday special is what we would normally have paid — it just comes down to the normal range.” Maurice also cautioned shoppers to be aware of criminal activity, which increased around this time.
“There are more pickpockets, people need to be extra careful. I remember Edgar’s Red Hanger sale, it was very congested and people were pushing and shoving.”
The swindling doesn’t only come from those with sticky fingers. Maurice said certain Black Friday deals could only be a marketing tool.
“Consumers must be streetwise or savvy when it comes to shopping. A clever salesman will swindle them, but avid shoppers won’t be fooled. We need to have our eyes and ears open more than ever before.”