Checkers Sixty60″ or “ASAP” Apps for Maximum Savings

October 18, 2025 Admin

Ever walked into a grocery store for “just one thing” and walked out R500 lighter with a bag of artisanal chips and a fancy candle you definitely didn’t need? Yeah, me too. I’m Kelvin, a software developer by day and a serial grocery app optimizer by night. Living in Accra, I’ve spent way too much time obsessing over server resources, but when it comes to my grocery budget, I’m even more of a nerd.

In South Africa (and increasingly across the continent), the battle for our wallets is happening right on our home screens. If you’re not using Checkers Sixty60 or Pick n Pay ASAP! like a pro, you’re essentially leaving money on the shelf. These apps aren’t just for lazy Sundays anymore; they are sophisticated savings engines—if you know how to drive them.

The Great Grocery Delivery Revolution

Remember the “Before Times”? You’d drive to the mall, hunt for parking like a predator, and then dodge trolleys in the aisle while trying to find the one brand of coffee that isn’t on backorder. It was an event. Now? I can order a week’s worth of groceries in the time it takes for my code to compile.

But here is the catch: convenience usually has a price tag. Between delivery fees, service charges, and the temptation to add “just one more snack,” these apps can eat your budget alive. Or, they can be your best friend. Right now, in 2026, the competition between Sixty60 and ASAP! is at an all-time high. They are literally throwing deals at us to keep us from switching. Our job is to catch them.

Maximizing the Checkers Sixty60 Ecosystem

Let’s talk about the big teal giant. Sixty60 changed the game, but the real magic happens when you treat the app as an extension of your Xtra Savings card.

First off, if you aren’t an Xtra Savings Plus member, what are you doing? For R99 a month, you get unlimited free deliveries. If you order more than three times a month, the subscription pays for itself. But here’s my “insider” tip: the real value is the 10% off one in-store shop every month. I usually save my “Big Monthly Shop” for a physical visit, use that 10%, and then use the app for the weekly perishables with free delivery. It’s a double-dip that saves me hundreds.

Mastering the Pick n Pay ASAP! Strategy

Now, don’t sleep on ASAP!. While Sixty60 feels like the cool, fast kid, ASAP! (and the broader Smart Shopper ecosystem) is like that reliable friend who has a coupon for everything.

The integration of Pick n Pay Clothing into the ASAP! app is a massive win. I recently needed a few basic tees, and being able to toss them in with my bread and eggs was a lifesaver. But the real savings come from the Smart Price deals. You have to link your Smart Shopper card—seriously, don’t skip this—to see the “real” prices.

One thing ASAP! does better than almost anyone is the eBucks partnership. If you’re an FNB user, you can get up to 30% back in eBucks on your purchases. That’s not just a small “thank you” point; that’s real money you can use to pay for petrol or more groceries later. I’ve had months where my entire grocery bill was essentially covered by the eBucks I earned from previous shops. Is it free money? Not exactly, but it feels like it.

The Hidden Costs and How to Dodge Them

Let’s get real for a second: the “Delivery Fee” is the enemy. Sixty60 usually charges R35, and ASAP! is around R35 per delivery as well. It doesn’t sound like much, but do that four times a month and you’ve spent R140 just on the “privilege” of someone else driving to the store.

Here is my rule of thumb: Never order under R500. Why? Because the psychological “cost” of the delivery fee feels lower when it’s a smaller percentage of a larger shop. Plus, larger orders often trigger those “Spend R750, Get R50 Off” vouchers that both apps love to send out.

And then there’s the tipping. Please, tip your drivers. They are the ones navigating traffic and carrying three cases of sparkling water up your stairs. I factor a R20–R50 tip into my “savings” calculations. If I save R100 on Smart Prices, R20 of that goes to the person making my life easier.

Real World Lessons from a Heavy User

I’ll admit, I’ve made mistakes. Once, I ordered a “bulk pack” of avocados on Sixty60 because the price was insane. When they arrived, they were all rock-hard. I couldn’t use them for my dinner party that night.

Lesson 1: Use the “Notes to Shopper” feature. I now write things like “Please pick avocados that are ready to eat tonight” or “Check the expiry date on the milk.” The shoppers actually read these!
Lesson 2: Check the “Liquor” section separately. Often, the best deals on wine or beer aren’t on the home screen; they’re buried in the category menus.
Lesson 3: Monitor the “Substitute” settings. If they don’t have your brand of coffee, do you want a different brand or nothing? I always choose “Nothing” for specific brands I love, otherwise, you might end up with a R200 jar of chicory you’ll never drink.

The Future of Your Fridge

Where is this all going? By 2030, the online grocery market in South Africa is expected to double in size. We’re looking at more AI-driven suggestions and even faster delivery times. I’m waiting for the day my fridge just orders the milk itself when it detects I’m low—though I’ll probably still be checking the app to make sure I’m getting the Xtra Savings price.

At the end of the day, these apps are tools. Used haphazardly, they’re a luxury. Used strategically, they’re a budget-saving powerhouse. So, next time you’re about to hit “Checkout,” take sixty seconds to check your rewards, look at your “Personalised Deals,” and make sure you aren’t paying a “convenience tax” you don’t have to.

What’s your biggest “app win”? Have you ever managed to get a shop for nearly free using points? I’d love to hear your hacks—Lord knows we could all use a few more Rand in our pockets these days.

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