Discount grocery retailer Best Before has shared big plans for the brand after launching nationwide courier delivery, expanding beyond its previous Gauteng-only online service, with products priced lower than those of Checkers and Pick n Pay.
Best Before sells short-dated and past-dated items that are still safe to use and consume, at significantly discounted prices.
Although products are sold close to or past their best-before date, the retailer confirmed that products are only sold from reputable suppliers and never past their use-by date.
“Every item is vetted for safety and quality, so you can shop with confidence,” said Best Before.
Best Before was founded in 2017 by entrepreneurs Mark Gordon and Alain Soriano, who sought to bring the success of clearance stores seen in Australia and Europe to South Africa.
After noticing the market for affordable everyday products in South Africa, the founders launched a pilot store in Wendywood, Sandton.
The success of the first store led to the launch of stores in Edenvale, Fourways, Northcliff, Krugersdorp, Boksburg, Centurion and Pretoria.
“The response that we are getting is incredible. We get about 60 emails a week asking us to open stores in various cities across South Africa,” said Best Before Founder and Director Mark Gordon.
Best Before, which aims to reduce food waste and deliver the lowest cost to the consumer, uses a replenishment model, where 70% of the stock is regular merchandise, but the price is 25% cheaper.
“The other 30% of stock is excess from other suppliers, which Best Before buys at a discount to offer the lowest price to consumers,” said Gordon.
“With more stores in the pipeline, we’re now expanding into online shopping and convenient in-store collection points across all Best Before locations,” the retailer said.
While there are no immediate plans to open more stores, the retailer is looking at possible launches later in the year.
“Right now, we are Gauteng-based to make sure that our model works and is perfected in order for it to expand,” said Gordon.
A new delivery trial
The introduction of Best Before’s nationwide courier delivery service at the close of 2025 represents a major achievement for the retailer.
This development allows residents in other provinces to access their products, even if they do not have a physical store nearby.
Currently, average delivery fees range from R80 to R100, depending on the courier company selected, and delivery can take between two and five working days.
Orders placed online take five working days to prepare, and payment can be made via EFT, SnapScan, Payfast, and all major debit and credit cards.
However, Gordon confirmed its recent onboarding with Uber, with the first trial set to launch in the Fourways area.
If the trial is successful, Best Before will expand its Uber Eats delivery services for its products in more areas.
Most notably, Gordon said Uber will not charge higher fees on the retailer’s products—the price in store will be the same as on Uber Eats.
Uber Eats’ delivery fee varies from R6.00 to R20.00, depending on the distance between the outlet and the delivery address, this is excluding additional levies.
Major South African grocery retailers offer comparable delivery services. Checkers charges R36, delivers within 60 minutes of order placement, and limits orders to 40 items.
Woolworths allows up to 35 food items, charges a R45 fee, and requires a minimum order of R150 for customers within 5km of a designated store. Pick n Pay’s service is priced at R35, has a 45-item limit, and promises delivery within 60 minutes.
While Gordon explicitly stated that the business does not aim to compete with major grocery retailers, BusinessTech compared potential delivery fees with Best Before entering the delivery service market.
If Best Before implements its delivery services through the Uber Eats platform, customers can expect to pay Uber’s delivery fees, along with other potential levies, such as service charges.
Below is a glance at how Best Before’s delivery could look in the future if the trial with Uber goes to plan.
| Delivery fee | Delivery time (minutes) | |
|---|---|---|
| Woolworths | R45 | 60 |
| Checkers | R36 | 60 |
| Pick n Pay | R35 | 60 |
| Best Before | R6 – R20 (excluding levies) | 20 – 45 |
More photos of Best Before
