For many of us, the mention of Walmart conjures a proudly American megastore where you can buy absolutely everything, give birth in the aisles (Natalie Portman did, in Where the Heart Is), or stumble into the endlessly chaotic universe immortalised by People of Walmart. The cult website celebrates the wild outfits, eccentric behaviour and unfiltered humanity of the brand’s shoppers, and has fans across the globe.
The retail giant is no longer just a distant pop-culture reference. Walmart South Africa is a real thing, so we took a field trip to see what the local reality looks like.
From Bentonville to Roodepoort
Founded in 1962 by Sam Walton and headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, Walmart was built on a simple philosophy: everyday low prices, achieved through efficiency, high-volume sales and streamlined distribution. By focusing on cost savings and passing them directly on to customers – particularly in small and underserved towns – Walmart reshaped modern retail and grew into one of the world’s largest retailers.
The US giant first bought a majority stake in South Africa’s Massmart in 2011, fully acquiring and delisting it in 2022. It has now launched its first Walmart-branded stores at Clearwater Mall (Roodepoort) and Fourways Mall.
Just a Game rebrand?
Our obvious question going in was whether Walmart South Africa is anything more than a rebrand of Game and Makro – two Massmart-owned staples that have struggled for relevance in recent years.
Both Johannesburg stores occupy former Game locations, a fast and pragmatic move by Walmart to plant its flag using familiar, well-located retail space. Game, in particular, has felt increasingly lifeless of late, defined by harsh lighting and its tired maroon palette.
So, is this just a piddly rebrand? Surprisingly, no.
We trekked to the Clearwater Mall store in the lead-up to Christmas and found something shiny and new, with a distinctly different feel. Could some of this be chalked up to the peculiar excitement South Africans experience when an iconic American brand lands on our shores (see: Starbucks and Krispy Kreme)? Possibly. But there’s more going on here.
Groceries, meat and imports
The most immediate difference is the addition of a small coffee and hot food counter, dubbed the Hot Kitchen. It serves pies, a limited selection of hot meals and baked goods. There’s also a fresh grocery section with perishables, vegetables and a surprisingly solid cheese selection.
But the real highlight – at least for carnivores (though not this intrepid reporter) – is the vast meat and chicken section, with fridge upon fridge of fresh and frozen cuts. A South African meat lover’s dream. Halaal options are available too.
Another clear departure from the “sad Game vibes” is the sheer scale of choice. From non-perishables to toiletries and cleaning products, the shelves stretch on, fully stocked and unapologetically abundant. As a health-food fan, the breadth of rice cakes, rolled oats and gluten-free products speaks volumes, not to mention the jams and spreads. It’s vast. The shelves are groaning.
Walmart South Africa also carries a small selection of American imports that briefly transport you to the US of A. Think sugary cereals like Lucky Charms and Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Calypso drinks, Dutch brand Boba Loba bubble teas and Belgium’s ever-present Biscoff.
What you can and can’t buy
Perhaps the biggest surprise – whether due to space constraints at the Clearwater store or a deliberate business decision – is the absence of large appliances. No fridges or washing machines here; for those, you’ll still need Makro or Game.
That said, Walmart South African stores do offer a modest tech selection, alongside clothing, toys, and garden and pool sections, rounding out the experience as more everyday grocery-plus than traditional big-box hyperstore.
Customer service
One of the best parts of our Walmart visit? The staff.
They checked in on us repeatedly and even offered to help track down my mom, who had vanished somewhere among the endless aisles. Our cashier stood out, radiating pride and genuine excitement about working at Walmart. She chatted about customer reactions – locals familiar with US stores are often surprised by the smaller size and fewer American products – and gave us the lowdown on what’s actually available.
A price comparison and the competition
The big question for most South Africans is simple: can Walmart compete on price, especially with Checkers?
The answer is mixed. Some items cost the same, others are cheaper. Coffee pods and certain cuts of meat were similarly priced, while many staples came in slightly lower. Below is our rough Currency Food Basket comparison with Checkers and Pick n Pay. It includes a couple of luxury items – and on price, Walmart South Africa does come out ahead.
For now, the store is a bit out of the way, so it’s probably a destination shop rather than a weekly staple. Walmart’s 60-minute delivery app looks promising and clearly aims to take on Checkers Sixty60 – though its current 5km radius is limiting.
Still, if more Walmart stores pop up closer to home, this could quickly change.
Final verdict: is Walmart SA Africa worth the trip?
Yes – with caveats.
Walmart South Africa isn’t just Game with new signage. It’s brighter, better stocked, more thoughtfully laid out and, in places, genuinely impressive. Prices are competitive, service is warm, and the grocery offering is far stronger than expected.
For now, we’d go back for specific items or if we’re in the area. But if Walmart continues to expand locally, there’s a good chance it’ll become a regular stop. And when that happens, you can bet we’ll be dressed accordingly.
Top image: Jo Buitendach
Did you read our review of Pret A Manger? Find it here.
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