JORDAN MOSHE
However, the range of prices and products this year definitely make it worth considering where you buy what.
The SA Jewish Report took note of essential items only in comparing offerings at prominent kosher retailers KosherWorld, Norwood Pick n Pay, Sandringham Spar, and Checkers Balfour Park.
It is interesting to note that few stores carry the same brand of products like matzah and grape juice. Rakusen’s, Aviv, and Jerusalem brand matzot seem to appear almost exclusively at certain stores. And, although Mosmarks matzah can be found at KosherWorld, Checkers and Spar, the prices vary considerably.
This exclusivity appears to hold true for other products as well. Where some of the stores feature a sizable selection of products, others seem to have reduced their Pesach offering this year. Take sauces for example. Checkers seems to have opted not to stock any, while the once standard Glen’s Awesome dressing can be found at Pick n Pay and Spar only. New on the Pesach scene are imported Haddar Italian dressing and local Bon Appetit vinaigrette, and while the former seems to carry a standard price, the latter is considerably cheaper at Pick n Pay.
The range of brands seems to apply to products like dried mango as well, with no retailer carrying the same brand as any other. Where KosherWorld stocks Montagu at R39.99 for 100g, only 50g more will cost you almost R70 at Pick n Pay for the Selwyn Segal produce. Then, you have the brand stocked by Spar costing R59.99 for 250g, making the bulk purchase more cost effective.
On the whole, Pick n Pay appears to undercut the prices of its competition quite significantly. Where Osem chicken soup costs almost R100 at both Spar and KosherWorld, the comparatively appealing price of R73.99 at Pick n Pay makes a significant difference to those with more limited budgets. The same is true for a luxury item like a bottle of wine, which is a full R27 less at Pick n Pay. The retailer also seems to be the only large store to carry bottled horseradish this year.
Still, when it comes to selection and the convenience of doing your shopping in a single store, it still seems to pay to visit KosherWorld for most products. Its variety of imported items is significant, and there are four brands of a staple product like matzah-ball mix – Osem, Manischewitz, Jerusalem, and Telma. Some previously unseen items, such as Nu Tree’s flavoured waters, also make a visit worthwhile.
- All prices and stock were recorded on the same day, and correct at the time of going to print.
