Durban residents divided as spaza shop prices rise after local takeovers

Updated July 10, 2026, 8:22 a.m. | By Skyye Ndlovu

Would you pay a little more to support a locally owned spaza shop, or is affordability your biggest priority?

Spaza shops have long been a lifeline for many South African families, offering quick access to everyday essentials close to home.

However, in parts of Durban, shoppers say those essentials are now costing them a lot more.

Residents in areas including Chesterville and KwaMashu have reported sharp price increases after South Africans took over several spaza shops previously run by foreign nationals.

According to an IOL report, some basic grocery items have seen noticeable hikes.

One Chesterville resident said a loaf of bread that used to cost R20 now sells for R30, leaving many households with little choice but to pay the higher price.

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Why are prices increasing?

Many believe it comes down to buying power.

Foreign-owned spaza shops have often worked together to buy stock in bulk, allowing them to negotiate lower prices from suppliers and sell goods at smaller profit margins.

Many locally owned shops, however, buy smaller quantities, which means they pay more for stock and often have to charge customers more to keep their businesses sustainable.

Residents in KwaMashu have also reported changes to trading hours, saying some shops now open later and close earlier than before.

For families picking up breakfast before school or grabbing groceries after work, that has become another challenge.

South Africans are divided

The reports have sparked a lively debate online, with many South Africans sharing different perspectives.

Some say they’re happy to pay slightly more if it means supporting local businesses and buying products they believe come from trusted suppliers.

Others argue that the reported price hikes are not as widespread as suggested.

One local spaza shop owner said bread prices at their stores have remained unchanged for months, urging people not to spread unnecessary panic.

The discussion has also raised questions around food quality.

Some consumers believe locally owned shops stock more reputable products, while others say there is no evidence that all foreign-owned shops sold inferior or unsafe goods.

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The debate highlights the difficult balance between supporting local businesses and keeping food prices affordable for families already feeling the pressure of the rising cost of living.

Whether the reported price increases are widespread or limited to certain communities, one thing is clear: the future of South Africa’s spaza shops remains a topic that continues to divide opinion.

Would you pay a little more to support a locally owned spaza shop, or is affordability your biggest priority?