South Africa’s grocery shopping habits are changing fast, and SPAR is racing to keep up. In a major expansion of its partnership with Uber Eats, the retailer plans to have over 800 stores on the delivery app, making it easier than ever to get essentials delivered to your door.
This move is a direct response to a massive shift in how South Africans shop.
Online grocery sales have exploded, growing 54% annually since 2019 to reach a R23 billion market. A new report from McKinsey shows that 26% of consumers plan to spend even more on online groceries in the future.
The success of the existing partnership, with 275 SPAR stores already live on Uber Eats, has paved the way for this national rollout.
The collaboration between Uber Eats and SPAR is being called a benchmark for South Africa’s digital retail future. It combines Uber Eats’ tech and reach with SPAR’s trusted network of local stores.
Together, they are building a model that does more than just bring you convenience. It’s designed to empower independent shop owners and create new economic opportunities in communities.
Why Are Shoppers Switching Online?
The drivers are clear: saving time and convenience. McKinsey found that 43% of South Africans shop online to save time, while 30% do it for the sheer convenience.
Uber Eats data brings this to life, showing that South Africans save over 12.7 million hours each year by ordering through the app—time they can reinvest in work, family, and their communities.
“Consumers no longer view delivery as a luxury, they expect it,” says Alex Troughton, EMEA RGM for Grocery & Retail at Uber Eats.
“Expanding SPAR stores on the Uber Eats app means we’re not just enabling convenience – we’re reimagining retail around consumer behaviour, backed by data, insights, and real outcomes.”
Empowering Local Store Owners
This expansion is a huge win for local entrepreneurs. With around 80% of SPAR stores independently owned, the partnership helps them compete and thrive in the digital age.
“As a deeply local retail network, SPAR’s roots are in community,” says Blake Raubenheimer, Omnichannel Executive at SPAR Southern Africa
. “By scaling SPAR with Uber Eats, we’re extending that community connection into the digital economy – helping our independent retailers access new markets and more customers.”
Uber Eats has already unlocked R1.6 billion in extra value for restaurants on its platform, and delivery people earn, on average, 57% more than their next best alternative.
