Checkers Holdings, the owner of South African supermarket chain Checkers, will launch an Amazon Prime-style subscription service later this month.
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The subscription plan, called Xtra Savings Plus, will offer unlimited free delivery through Checkers’ Sixty60 online grocery shopping platform for a monthly fee of R99. A minimum purchase of R350 per order is required to qualify for free delivery.
Xtra Savings Plus has been in testing for several months and will be officially launched on July 21, 2023.
In addition to free delivery, Xtra Savings Plus members will also receive 10% savings on in-store purchases, up to a maximum of R200 per month. They will also get access to personalized deals and offers based on their individual shopping habits.
“Xtra Savings Plus is a monthly subscription plan that offers members a range of exclusive benefits to save you time and money,” Checkers said in a statement. “With unlimited free Sixty60 deliveries, double your deals and more, Xtra Savings Plus is the perfect way to save on your grocery shopping.”
The Xtra Savings Plus subscription program is modeled after Amazon Prime, which has been a huge success in the United States. Amazon Prime members in the US pay $14.99 per month for free delivery on all orders, 5% back on Amazon.com purchases, and access to Prime Video and Amazon Music.
Checkers is hoping to replicate Amazon Prime’s success in South Africa. The Sixty60 online grocery shopping platform has seen rapid growth in recent years, with sales increasing by 81% year-on-year in the past year.
The launch of Xtra Savings Plus comes ahead of Amazon’s expected launch of an e-commerce marketplace in South Africa later this year. By offering a subscription service that provides free delivery and other benefits, Checkers is hoping to attract customers who are looking for convenience and value.
