South Africa’s on-demand grocery delivery market is dominated by two major players: Checkers Sixty60 and Pick n Pay asap! Both apps promise fast, convenient delivery of groceries and household essentials, but they differ in pricing, delivery speed, product range, user experience, and additional features. This article collates and compares their offerings to help Gauteng shoppers make an informed choice.
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Origins and Market Position
- Checkers Sixty60 launched in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, quickly becoming South Africa’s benchmark for rapid grocery delivery. It has maintained strong growth, with sales increasing by over 47% in the latter half of 2024.
- Pick n Pay asap! was introduced in August 2021 as a revamp of its earlier Bottles delivery service. Despite entering the market later, it has grown steadily, with online sales rising by 42.5% in the 45 weeks ending January 2025.
Delivery Speed and Reliability
- Checkers Sixty60 guarantees delivery within 60 minutes for orders placed before cut-off times. Independent tests show Sixty60 frequently completes deliveries in under 40 minutes, with real-time tracking and precise 60-minute delivery windows.
- Pick n Pay asap! also aims for delivery within an hour but offers more flexible scheduling options. However, some users report occasional delays beyond the estimated window, with deliveries sometimes arriving over an hour late.
Product Range and Availability
- Pick n Pay asap! boasts a wide product range of over 35,000 items across 600+ store locations nationwide. It focuses primarily on groceries but also includes various household essentials. The basket limit is 45 items per order.
- Checkers Sixty60 offers over 10,000 grocery and general merchandise products, including a growing selection of premium brands (Apple, Dyson, Samsung) and non-grocery items like camping gear and kitchen appliances. Its expanded range is currently rolling out nationally.
Pricing and Value
- Multiple analyses reveal Checkers Sixty60 generally offers better pricing on everyday grocery items compared to Pick n Pay asap!, making it the cheaper option for many shoppers.
- Delivery fees for both apps hover around R35 per order, but Checkers offers an Xtra Savings Plus subscription at R99/month, which includes unlimited free deliveries on orders over R350, plus exclusive discounts and a 10% in-store discount.
- Pick n Pay asap! does not currently offer a subscription model but integrates with the Smart Shopper loyalty programme, allowing users to earn and redeem points for personalised discounts.
User Experience and Features
- Checkers Sixty60 has a refined app and website interface, now accessible on all devices including Huawei smartphones, thanks to its new browser-based platform. It uses multi-factor authentication for security and allows seamless account syncing across devices.
- Pick n Pay asap! incorporates AI-powered search that learns user preferences, personalised product suggestions, multiple payment card options, and a pre-authorisation payment system that charges only for delivered items. The app is fully integrated with Smart Shopper rewards.
- Both apps provide real-time order tracking, substitution options for out-of-stock items, and in-app promotions.
Geographic Coverage
- Pick n Pay asap! benefits from a wider network, with over 600 stores supporting delivery nationwide, helping reduce delivery times and fees through proximity.
- Checkers Sixty60 is expanding its product range and delivery footprint in phases, currently available in many urban areas, with ongoing national rollout plans.
Customer Feedback and Performance
- Independent tests and user reviews consistently show Checkers Sixty60 outperforms Pick n Pay asap! in delivery speed, pricing, and reliability.
- Some Pick n Pay asap! users report occasional stock issues and delayed deliveries, although the app generally delivers products in good order.
- Checkers’ early market entry and continuous innovation have earned it high customer retention and advocacy rates.
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Comparison Table
| Feature | Checkers Sixty60 | Pick n Pay asap! |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2019 | 2021 |
| Delivery Time | Guaranteed within 60 minutes; often under 40 | Typically within 1 hour; occasional delays |
| Product Range | 10,000+ groceries & general merchandise; premium brands | 35,000+ groceries and essentials |
| Delivery Fee | R35 per order; free with R99/month subscription | Around R35; no subscription |
| Subscription | Xtra Savings Plus (R99/month) with free deliveries & discounts | None |
| Loyalty Integration | Checkers Xtra Savings rewards | Smart Shopper rewards |
| User Interface | App + web, multi-factor authentication | AI-powered search, multiple payment options |
| Order Tracking | Real-time tracking | Real-time tracking |
| Geographic Coverage | Expanding nationally, urban focus | Nationwide via 600+ stores |
| Pricing | Generally cheaper on everyday items | Slightly higher prices on average |
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Which option is better for you?
Both Checkers Sixty60 and Pick n Pay asap! offer world-class on-demand grocery delivery services, transforming how Gauteng residents shop. Checkers Sixty60 leads in delivery speed, pricing, and subscription value, making it ideal for frequent shoppers seeking convenience and savings. Pick n Pay asap! excels with a broader product range, AI personalisation, and extensive nationwide coverage without subscription fees.
Gauteng shoppers should weigh their priorities: choose Checkers Sixty60 for speed and value, or Pick n Pay asap! for variety and loyalty rewards.
