Checkers (supermarket chain)

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.

In 2021, Checkers launched its first standalone pet store, under the Petshop Science brand. It was the first supermarket chain in South Africa to do so, and began rapidly expanding the brand across the country.

In 2024, Checkers had a total of 12 million Xtra Savings loyalty card members. In the same financial year, the supermarket reported 12.3% sales growth for its core Checkers, Checkers Hyper, and Checkers Foods brands combined.

In November 2024, the 100th Petshop Science store was opened.

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.

As of September 2025, the company operates 144 pet stores under its Petshop Science brand, making it the second-largest pet store retailer in South Africa, behind Woolworths' Absolute Pets brand.

The company's store formats are:

• Checkers - standard size supermarkets
• Checkers FreshX - standard size supermarkets targeting the premium grocery sector (high income earners)
• Checkers Hyper - large size stores with a wider range than the supermarkets, including homeware and clothing
• Uniq clothing by Checkers
• Checkers Liquor Shop - alcohol stores positioned separately to supermarkets, as per South African legislation
• littleme - baby products
• Checkers Outdoor - outdoor goods
• Petshop Science - pet products

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).

Controversy

In November 2025, major South African news outlets began publishing articles calling out Checkers' Sixty60 delivery drivers for their hazardous driving behavior. News desks noted Sixty60's rating of 1.53 out of 5, on South African consumer feedback website HelloPeter. While other supermarket delivery services are also known for reckless driving, Checkers' drivers have been particularly in focus for their not paying attention while on the road.

At the time, Hein Jonker, founder of the Motorcycle Safety Institute of South Africa, stated that delivery drivers' actions affect not only them, but motorists around them, and that supermarket delivery drivers should undergo professional rider training. Jonker further stated that groups employing or contracting delivery drivers should assess driving behaviors, and then implement consistent measures to penalize reckless driving, and reward good driving. Finally, Jonker said traffic authorities should be more involved in policing delivery driver behavior. There have also been requests from consumers for Checkers to intervene and bring about improvements to Sixty60.

References

References

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16. "Checkers introduces rewards programme 'Xtra savings' - here's how it works".
17. "Checkers just revived ‘Xtra Savings’, its answer to Smart Shopper and WRewards – but its discounts are a little variable".
18. Nkosinathi Ndlovu. (1 August 2024). "Discovery Vitality ditches Pick n Pay for Checkers". Tech Central.
19. Agency Staff. (16 April 2025). "Standard Bank joins forces with Checkers Sixty60". Tech Central.
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22. Staff Writer. (7 November 2025). "Checkers Sixty60 drivers out of control in South Africa". TopAuto.
23. Myles Illidge. (7 November 2025). "Checkers Sixty60 delivery drivers breaking the law". MyBroadband.