Almost six in 10 South African consumers were worried about meeting their financial obligations in May, according to a survey by Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) Centre for Customer Insight.

The Parliamentary Budget Office released a report (the Report) on 26 June on the potential introduction of a digital tax in respect of the supplies of goods and services by non-residents to South African customers, which are delivered by digital means.[1]

The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group has published new data showing the price changes for essential goods during the coronavirus lockdown in South Africa.

“Our customers and their families are under huge pressure as the economy faces low growth and job insecurity. Currently planned at R500m for this year, this commitment will help deepen our already low prices on everyday essential items and keep basic food items even more affordable for customers,” says Pick n Pay CEO, Richard Brasher.

A Pietermaritzburg-based organisation has tracked the increase in the prices of basic goods since the start of lockdown, as well as monitoring the desperate measures people resort to in order to put food on the table.

Retailer Massmart, whose brands include Makro and Game, says SA’s Covid-19 lockdown resulted in about R2.3bn in lost liquor sales in April and May.

South African motorists can expect another sizeable increase at the pumps in July, as global oil demand returns, pushing up the price of international petroleum prices.

There are long queues of South Africans waiting outside bottle stores to purchase alcohol this morning.

The sale of alcohol for home consumption resumes on Monday (1 June) in South Africa, at level 3 lockdown, following a nine-week ban.

As the country prepares to shift to Level 3 of lockdown, with an easing of restrictions, food manufacturers are bracing for the possible impact of further losses and infections among staff.

Pick n Pay customers can now pre-order liquor from its online shop.

The South Africa Revenue Services (SARS) has predicted that it will lose around 15% to 20% of its tax revenue this year as a result of the nationwide Coivid-19 lockdown.