A South African start‑up is turning supermarket surplus into savings for millions, offering near‑expiry groceries at discounts of up to 65 % through a lightweight web‑app that works on the low‑cost phones most shoppers own. Launched in May 2025, Still Good South Africa taps into rising food‑price inflation and record unemployment, giving budget‑conscious families a way to stretch their rands while helping retailers cut waste.
The model is refreshingly simple. At the close of each trading day, a manager at a Pick n Pay, Spar or Food Lovers Market uploads surplus stock to Still Good’s admin portal. Registered users receive an instant push notification, pay via card with Paystack, and collect their “surprise bag” straight from the store before it locks – no home delivery, no extra fees. Still Good takes a modest commission on every transaction, keeping the discounts steep and the process quick.
According to internal data, the platform now operates in more than 174 outlets across every province except Limpopo, serving 80 000 registered users and 104 000 active users in the last 30 days. In its first half‑year, shoppers saved close to R4 million, a figure the founders say will grow as more retailers join the network.
Still Good South Africa’s tech edge drives adoption
Behind the scenes, the decision to build a progressive web app (PWA) rather than a native Android or iOS application was driven by the realities of the local device market. Nabeel Gool, the start‑up’s chief technology officer, explains that 60–70 % of users run budget Android phones, predominantly Samsung Galaxy A‑series devices with limited storage and data caps. “On those phones, users are wary of apps that gulp data in the background, and storage fills up quickly,” he said.
The PWA installs straight from a browser onto an Android home screen, bypassing the Play Store, while iOS users get a pinned bookmark. Real‑time stock updates are pushed via Firebase Cloud Messaging, and a reservation system temporarily locks an item while a shopper checks out, preventing overselling. Cloudflare edge caching sits in front of the API to keep server load low, and an AI‑driven sentiment analyser scans customer reviews, flagging any negative feedback to retail partners even when the overall rating is positive.
How Still Good stacks up against local rivals
| Feature | Still Good South Africa | Refreshi | JustNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform type | Progressive Web App (PWA) | Mobile app (Android/iOS) | Mobile app (Android/iOS) |
| Delivery model | Collect‑only (in‑store) | Collect‑only | Collect‑only |
| Discount range | 30 % – 65 % | 25 % – 60 % | 20 % – 55 % |
| Retail partners | 174+ (Pick n Pay, Spar, Food Lovers) | 45 (mainly independent stores) | 60 (mix of chains & independents) |
| User base (2026) | 80 000 registered, 104 000 active | 22 000 registered | 30 000 registered |
| Technology focus | Low‑data PWA, AI sentiment analysis | Standard app, basic notifications | AI stock‑matching, chat support |
| Additional product lines | The Goods Marketplace (non‑perishables) | None | None |
Still Good’s PWA approach and broader retailer network give it a clear edge in reach and low‑cost operation, while its AI tools provide retailers with actionable insights that rivals lack.
From surplus bags to a full marketplace
Building on the success of its core grocery service, Still Good has rolled out The Goods Marketplace, an online store that sells non‑perishable surplus items such as batteries, cleaning agents and small electronics. Unlike the grocery arm, this segment offers home delivery via the Pudo locker network, expanding the start‑up’s footprint beyond food waste into broader consumer‑goods reduction.
Industry observers note that this diversification mirrors global trends. International platforms like Too Good To Go in Europe and Flashfood in Canada started with food‑only offerings before branching into other categories. Still Good’s ability to adapt the same technology stack for a wider product range could set a template for other African markets grappling with waste and affordability.
Retailers reap hidden benefits
For supermarkets, the financial upside goes beyond the commission paid to Still Good. By off‑loading near‑expiry stock before it becomes waste, retailers avoid the costs associated with disposal, including landfill fees and the environmental impact of food loss. A senior supply‑chain manager at a participating Pick n Pay outlet, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed that the platform has helped reduce waste by roughly 12 % in participating stores, translating into significant cost savings and a boost to corporate sustainability targets.
Consumer impact in a tightening economy
South Africa’s inflation rate has hovered above 8 % for much of 2025, while unemployment remains stubbornly high, especially among the youth. For many households, a R150 grocery bag at a 50 % discount can mean the difference between stretching the budget or cutting back on essential items. Testimonials collected by Still Good echo this sentiment; one mother of three told us that “the surprise bag has become a weekly ritual that lets us feed the kids without breaking the bank.”
The collect‑only model also reinforces community interaction. Shoppers often meet store staff at closing time, creating a brief but tangible connection that pure delivery services lack. This face‑to‑face element appears to encourage repeat usage, as reflected in the platform’s active‑user rate of 130 % relative to its registered base.
Scaling challenges and the road ahead
Despite the early wins, Still Good faces hurdles common to any tech‑driven venture in emerging markets. Network reliability, especially in remote regions, can affect real‑time notifications, while limited smartphone penetration in provinces like Limpopo has delayed rollout there. The start‑up is currently piloting a lightweight SMS‑alert system to bridge the connectivity gap, a move that could unlock the final province’s market.
Funding remains another focal point. The founders have secured R12 million in seed capital from local venture firms, but scaling the AI sentiment engine and expanding the locker‑delivery network will require further investment. Industry analysts predict a second‑round raise of up to R30 million by late 2026 if growth targets are met.
As South African retailers intensify efforts to curb food waste, platforms like Still Good South Africa are poised to become indispensable partners. By marrying a low‑data PWA with real‑time inventory pushes and a community‑first collection model, the start‑up not only offers savings to cash‑strapped shoppers but also delivers measurable waste‑reduction benefits to supermarkets. If the current trajectory holds, the surprise‑bag revolution could soon become a staple of the country’s retail landscape, turning surplus into savings for all.