A recent tech price comparison by PriceCheck has revealed that Takealot offers more competitive prices than Makro on a selection of popular technology products.
PriceCheck, a well-known e-commerce platform in South Africa since 2006, specializes in retail data intelligence and consumer price comparisons. Founded by Kevin Tucker, the company has accumulated years of product pricing data, allowing for in-depth market analysis.
For this comparison, MyBroadband looked at the prices of top tech retailers in South Africa, focusing on Takealot and Makro.
Takealot vs. Makro: The Battle for the Best Tech Prices
Takealot, founded in 2011 by Kim Reid and Willem van Biljon, has grown into South Africa’s leading online retailer, known for its vast product selection, efficient logistics, and strong customer service. The platform operates through both its online store and physical pickup points nationwide.
On the other hand, Makro, which opened its first South African store in Germiston in 1971, operates both physical stores and an online marketplace. However, its online shopping experience has faced challenges in recent years, and the company has been working to improve service levels.
Both retailers are fierce competitors in South Africa’s retail sector, constantly battling for market share. But when it comes to tech product pricing, which one gives consumers the best deal?
PriceCheck’s Technology Basket: What’s Included?
To determine the better-priced retailer, PriceCheck curated a basket of 16 popular tech products, commonly purchased by South Africans every few years. The selection included:
- Acer Laptop
- Nintendo Switch
- Samsung 85-inch QLED UHD 4K TV
- PlayStation 5 Slim Console
- Samsung Microwave
- WD 2TB Hard Drive
- Sony Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds
- Samsung Gaming Monitor
- Apple TV
- Apple HomePod Mini
- Air Fryer
- Galaxy Watch 6
- GoPro Hero 13
- JBL Flip 6 Speaker
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A9
The Price Comparison: Takealot Wins
After analyzing the prices, the results were clear: Takealot offers lower prices on average than Makro.
- Makro was more expensive on 10 out of the 16 items
- Takealot was more expensive on only 3 items
- 3 products had identical prices
Here’s how their prices stacked up:
| Product | Makro Price | Takealot Price |
|---|---|---|
| Acer 512GB 14″ Aspire Lite Intel Core i3 Laptop | R7,999 | R6,999 |
| Nintendo Switch | R7,999 | R7,999 |
| Samsung 85-inch QLED UHD 4K TV | R26,999 | R28,998 |
| PlayStation 5 Slim Console | R13,999 | R12,059 |
| Samsung 40L Microwave | R2,799 | R2,799 |
| WD My Passport 2TB Hard Drive | R1,748 | R1,689 |
| Sony WF-C700N Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds | R2,499 | R1,999 |
| Samsung 27-inch Curved Quad HD Odyssey G5 Gaming Monitor | R5,699 | R5,299 |
| Apple TV (64GB) | R2,999 | R3,199 |
| Apple HomePod Mini | R2,499 | R2,499 |
| Galaxy Watch 6 40mm (Black) | R4,999 | R3,949 |
| GoPro Hero 13 | R10,999 | R10,299 |
| JBL Flip 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker | R2,499 | R2,299 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 (64GB Storage, 4GB RAM) | R3,239 | R2,872 |
| Total Price | R126,873 | R122,456 |
Final Verdict
With a total basket price of R122,456, Takealot emerges as the more affordable choice, offering savings of R4,417 compared to Makro’s total price of R126,873.
For South Africans looking to score the best deals on tech gadgets and electronics, Takealot currently holds the pricing edge over Makro. However, pricing strategies can change, so keeping an eye on future comparisons is always a smart move for savvy shoppers.
