Must-know stats on how SA women shop
Must read: Statistics about how South African women shop.
There is no doubt that women (many, but not all, of course) love shopping and also have to buy items/ goods on a regular basis.
In fact, research has shown that female consumers are South Africa’s most active online shoppers, for example. Many women can relate that a bit of retail therapy, once in a while, is good for the soul.
Zeeva had the privilege of conducting a 2017 Smart Women, Smart Money survey, in which more than 3 000 women from all over South Africa took part. Zeeva aims to empower South African women so that they can take back control over their debt and the Zeeva Debt Management Program is the first company in South Africa to combine the power of NCR’s debt review process with benefits exclusively created for women.
Interestingly enough, most of the women surveyed fall into the age category of 25 to 34. And over 2 300 of them live in the metro regions, namely Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, with the rest living in the other provinces, including the Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and the Northern Cape.
When it comes to finances and shopping, there are a few similarities shared by women throughout South Africa. There are also a few differences found in the metro provinces compared to the other provinces:
• Over 56 per cent of women are in control of their household’s finances.
• More than 61 per cent of women search for specials and discounts before they make their way to a shopping centre or store.
• South African women have similar debt, including a clothing account, personal loan and credit card.
The top five items women purchase to spoil themselves with are the following (left in metro provinces and right in other provinces):
1. Shoes – Shoes
2. Home décor – Home décor
3. Accessories – Accessories
4. Dining Out – Cookware
5. Handbags – Handbags
In the metro regions, more women make use of brochures or catalogues to find information on a product or service than those living in the other regions.
Only 38 per cent of women in the three metro provinces tend to stick to their shopping lists in comparison to the other six regions’ women, who show a higher percentage, namely 50 per cent.
In relation to women, finance and shopping, Zeeva shares some handy tips to take into account when shopping:
• If you can, make use of online shopping and save yourself from the temptations (unnecessary items) lurking around shopping malls/outlets. Make use of online stores like: Onlineshopping, Spree, Takealot.com, or Pick n Pay. You can even do some homework and compare prices via Oneshop for example.
• Say NO to spontaneous shopping. Make a list, stick to your list and only buy the items you need. In the long run, this can save you thousands.
• Buy non-perishable goods in bulk. You can schedule to buy items like toiletries only two or three times a year. If you think about it, this can save you some money for eight to ten months of the year.
• Buy out-of-season clothes and make use of sales. You never know how many bargains you can strike when you keep an eye out for end-of-season sales. Take note – only make use of sales for items you really need. Just because it says ‘sale’ does not mean you have to give in and buy whatever you think feels great at the time.
• Buy classic fashion pieces and stand out with unbranded clothes. Don’t blow your budget on branded clothing and extreme trends. Why not be unique and stand out from the crowd by adding accessories (you already have available) to your affordable and neutral colour outfit? You can also make use of some debt-free living tips to own a few pieces of clothing and wear them in a zillion different ways.
• Try to save extra money each month by getting into the habit of using cash only. It all comes down to budget and planning. Carry only a few hundred rand with you to use when you really need to go to the store and stick to your list. Also plan your meal menu in advance – this can help you to avoid the grocery store during the week.
Smart shopping can still be fun for women of all ages and regions. Get into the habit of compiling a reasonable budget plan for yourself (and/ or household) and practise some self-control by sticking to your meal plan, spoil-yourself spends and shopping list.
If, however, the word ‘shopping’ makes you cringe because your debt pile is currently spiralling out of control, contact the Zeeva team. Zeeva is a debt management program designed especially by women, for women.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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