Pick n Pay’s online platform has managed to stay in the black for a second year running, yet the pace of growth is beginning to feel the pressure of a market‑dominated rival. In the 52‑week period ending 1 March 2026 the retailer posted a 32.7% year‑on‑year increase in online turnover, with its refreshed asap! app, the Mr D offering on Takealot’s platform and the PnP Groceries service together delivering a 37.6% surge. The numbers signal that the revamp of its digital storefronts last year is still paying dividends, even as the climb slows compared with the previous cycle.
“The rollout of the next‑generation asap! app in April 2025 was a key enabler of new customer acquisition and retention,” explained Sean Summers, Pick n Pay CEO, highlighting the introduction of Smart Shopper rewards, richer value‑added services and a more intuitive user experience. He added that the platform now lets shoppers schedule deliveries and pick their preferred fulfilment store, a flexibility that has helped keep the online unit profitable for two consecutive years.
Despite the upbeat headline, the growth rate has slipped from the 44.6% recorded a year earlier. Interim figures already hinted at the slowdown, showing 34.4% online turnover growth in the six months to 31 August 2025. The retailer, like most South African chains, continues to report only percentage changes for its e‑commerce metrics, withholding absolute rand figures for revenue or profit. By contrast, rival Checkers Sixty60 disclosed a R11.9‑billion turnover for the six months to 28 December 2025, a 34.6% rise that now accounts for 10.3% of Shoprite’s South African supermarket revenue.
Pick n Pay online growth versus Sixty60 scale
| Metric | Pick n Pay (asap! & partners) | Checkers Sixty60 |
|---|---|---|
| Stores feeding online orders | 620+ (net +20 since 2025) | ~875 |
| Active delivery drivers | 2 500+ | ~10 000 (Pingo) |
| Cumulative orders processed | Not disclosed | 100 million+ |
| Online turnover growth (YoY) | 32.7% (full year) | 34.6% (six‑month) |
| Profitability status | Profitable (2nd year) | Profitable (unspecified) |
The table makes clear that Sixty60 is operating on a markedly larger footprint, with almost three times the driver network and a broader store base. While Pick n Pay’s growth remains healthy, the scale gap is widening, a fact that will likely shape strategic decisions in the months ahead.
Beyond the digital arena, the broader Pick n Pay group posted modest overall performance. Group turnover nudged up 1% year‑on‑year to R120.3 billion, translating to a 3.4% rise on a pro‑forma 52‑week basis after accounting for a 53‑week FY 2025. Trading profit, however, slipped 4.2% to R1.69 billion, and the company recorded a headline loss of R386 million, equating to R0.5258 per share.
In a bid to inject fresh capital into its turnaround plan, Pick n Pay finalised a R4.7 billion accelerated book‑build last week, divesting 12.5% of its stake in Boxer Retail and reducing its holding from 65.6% to 53.1%. The proceeds, combined with R2.4 billion of net cash already on the books, are earmarked for revitalising the retail segment and narrowing the digital divide with Sixty60.
The retailer’s strategy hinges on leveraging technology to boost efficiency and customer loyalty. The next‑gen asap! app now integrates clothing lines, nudging the platform toward a “super‑app” model that could capture more wallet share. Yet the slowdown in online growth suggests that simply adding features may not be enough; scale and execution remain decisive factors.
Overall, Pick n Pay’s online business is holding its profit line while navigating a tougher growth environment. The gap with Sixty60 is widening, and the upcoming capital infusion will test whether the group can convert digital upgrades into the market share needed to keep pace with South Africa’s e‑commerce front‑runners.