According to the survey, Shoprite maintained its top spot by winning the Grand Prix for the overall best retailer. Clicks and Pick 'n Pay came second and third respectively, switching their positions from 2018.

Eben Gewers, head of advertising at Tiso Blackstar Group, says, "We remain committed to delivering market research that has become the yardstick by which retailers measure their impact and relationships with customers. It's essential for retailers to understand what makes consumers tick, but also what their competitors may be doing differently to warrant shopper attention."

A total sample of 2 750 respondents were surveyed in face-to-face interviews across seven major metropolitan areas, as well as non-metropolitan areas across the country. Kantar used random suburb sampling among all racial groups, with an equal split of male and female adults aged 18 years and older.

In order to arrive at the top retailers in South Africa, overall brand familiarity and awareness were measured alongside brand-user experiences and interactions, non-user perceptions and brand presence in the market.

The combined result of these factors, using a non-proprietary algorithm, produced the winning retailers.

The 2019 Sunday Times/Sowetan Shopper Survey category winners include:


** Winner of category in 2018 as well.

The complete results of the 2019 Sunday Times Sowetan Shopper Survey will be published in a supplement accompanying the Sunday Times on Sunday, 8 September 2019.

For more information, visit www.tisoblackstar.com.