R5 bargains! Johannesburg store is revolutionising basic food shopping
This retail outlet store in Alexandra, Johannesburg uses a "weigh-and-pay" model to help consumers save money!
Gcwalisa is an isiZulu word which means to fill up or to refill. It is also the name of a retail outlet based in Alexandra in the north of Johannesburg.
Gcwalisa uses a weigh-and-pay trading model, allowing consumers to buy a selection of basic foodstuffs for as little as R5.
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This allows consumers to purchase basic food items by weighing their desired quantities and then only paying for the amount they wish to purchase.
Founder, Miles Kubheka, based this idea on his childhood memories of buying two eggs, a single teabag or a cup of sugar. Today on Breakfast with Martin Bester Miles Kubheka also shared the motivation behind this concept.
Even today, it is not a new concept to buy loose items in townships, but Kubheka has refined the model which has resulted in him being able to offer his customers lower prices.
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Kubheka also shared on Breakfast with Martin Bester that this concept has "made it cool" to buy loose items, which is especially good in South Africa's current economic climate.
"Consumers can buy items based on the amount of money they have." Some items have been sold for as little as R5 or less, using this model.
Tune in to the 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', weekdays from 06:00 - 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.