Pick n Pay Catalogue Specials This Week: How to Read It and What Sits Behind It

Quick answer: Pick n Pay publishes its current promotions on its website and app, and many prices are Smart Shopper member prices with their own start and end dates. We could not find a fixed public schedule for a weekly printed catalogue, so check the Pick n Pay website or app directly for the current cycle. This article explains how the catalogue fits into Pick n Pay's wider business, how Smart Shopper works and how to compare it with rival leaflets.

Last updated: October 2026. Facts come from Wikipedia (Pick n Pay Stores), BusinessTech and Pick n Pay investor pages. We do not quote shelf prices because they change.

Update, October 2026: Woolworths' WRewards and MySchool cards stopped working on 30 June 2026 and were replaced by the MyDifference programme (Loyal, Ambassador and VIP tiers, with a virtual card in the Woolies app). References to WRewards in this article describe the programme as it was before that date.

Pick n Pay in brief

Raymond Ackerman founded Pick n Pay in 1967 after buying four Cape Town stores in 1966. The first Hypermarket opened in 1975, the first franchised store in 1993 and Boxer Superstores was acquired in 2002. Wikipedia reports about 2,269 stores in 2025, of which 1,498 were company-owned and 697 franchised, in seven African countries. A recent business report counted 992 group-owned stores at 1 March 2026 and 23 Hypermarkets. The group reported revenue of R122.1 billion and a net loss of R651 million for its 2025 financial year, an improvement of more than R2.6 billion year on year, and it closed 56 South African stores in May 2026 as part of its turnaround.

Format	Notes
Hypermarket	Largest format; 23 reported
Supermarket	Core format
Express at BP	188 forecourt stores
Clothing	415 clothing-only stores
Liquor	Separate liquor stores; 18+
Boxer	Discount supermarkets, now separately listed

How the catalogue relates to Smart Shopper

Smart Shopper launched in 2011 and is free to join. Pick n Pay also offers paid Clubs for coffee, pets, wine, baby and "live well" that give extra points and discounts. Specials on the Pick n Pay site show a Smart Shopper member price with a start and end date. In November 2024 FNB customers gained the ability to earn eBucks at Pick n Pay. For your shopping, the catalogue is the starting point, but the card unlocks the lowest price on many items.

Where to see this week's specials

1. The Pick n Pay website promotions pages, which can be filtered by "on promotion".
2. The Pick n Pay app for personalised deals.
3. In-store tags and end-of-aisle displays.
4. Pick n Pay Online for Click and Collect and home delivery, and asap! for selected items in about an hour, plus Pick n Pay on Mr D.

PnP catalogue versus rivals

Retailer	Leaflet style	Loyalty
Pick n Pay	Online promotions with member prices and dates	Smart Shopper
SPAR	National and regional leaflets; one ran 19 Oct to 8 Nov 2026	SPAR Rewards
Checkers and Shoprite	Weekly promotions	Xtra Savings
Woolworths	App and in-store offers	WRewards

How to read the catalogue like a pro

1. Check the dates. Promotions have their own start and end dates.
2. Check the price type. Is it a standard price or a Smart Shopper price?
3. Compute unit prices. Price per kilogram, litre or item.
4. Compare with your usual price. Keep a short price log.
5. Plan the basket. Choose specials that fit meals you will cook.

A worked example (invented numbers)

Item	Normal price	Smart Shopper price	Saving
Rice 2 kg	R42	R36	R6 (14%)
Cooking oil 2 L	R75	R68	R7 (9%)
Chicken portions 2 kg	R120	R105	R15 (12.5%)
Total	R237	R209	R28

If you spend R3,000 a month on groceries and save around 10% through the card and specials, that is about R300 a month, or R3,600 a year, which is worth the effort of scanning your card.

Is Pick n Pay still the right store for you?

With the turnaround and closures, check that your branch is still trading and compare your usual basket with Checkers, SPAR, Boxer and Woolworths over a few weeks. Boxer grew 12.3% in the latest period while the Pick n Pay brand's turnover fell 1.6%, which suggests many shoppers are moving to discount formats. Compare, then decide where your money goes furthest.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Free loyalty programme and personalised offers.
• Several delivery and collection options.
• Hypermarkets for large shops.

Cons

• Store closures during the turnaround.
• Prices can be higher than discount rivals.
• Specials vary by format and franchise.

Frequently asked questions

Does Pick n Pay have a weekly catalogue?

It publishes promotions online; check the website or app for the current cycle.

Is Smart Shopper free?

Yes, joining is free; the paid Clubs are optional.

Does Pick n Pay deliver?

Yes, via Pick n Pay Online, asap! and Mr D.

Is Boxer part of Pick n Pay?

Pick n Pay acquired Boxer in 2002 and kept a large stake after its 2024 listing.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Pick n Pay Stores
• BusinessTech: Pick n Pay store reporting
• Pick n Pay investor pages
• spar.co.za specials page