South Africa’s shopping patterns are changing as the cost of living increases.

A study by the Bureau of Market Research (BMR) found that citizens are opting to shop at a single store for all their needs.

The price of fuel is also influencing how South Africans are adapting their shopping trends.

The BMR research found that over the past year, food, beverage, and tobacco traders in specialised stores saw a sales decline of 5.6%. 

One of the only retail segments to show growth this year and over 2021 has been general dealers.

These are stores were consumers will find a variety of product classes, from food, to linen, stationery, and medicines, all under one roof.