Let 2026 be the year guesswork ends before checkout
Looking ahead to 2026, the real shift will not be about where people choose to shop, but how they approach the buying process.
South Africans are still shopping online for convenience, but there is a growing sense that convenience alone is no longer enough. More consumers are paying closer attention to how they make buying decisions, especially as household budgets tighten and every purchase carries more weight.
As 2026 approaches, rising costs and economic pressure are forcing people to slow down and think before they buy. Online shopping has become less about getting something quickly and more about understanding what you are paying for, and whether it makes sense in the longer term. Access to clear, reliable information now plays a much bigger role in that process.
This shift is reflected in what consumers expect from online platforms. Shoppers want to see prices clearly, compare alternatives, and avoid unpleasant surprises at the point of purchase. Platforms responding to these expectations are operating in a space where informed choice matters. That is the space Shop Scanner occupies.
Being able to view different options side by side, and to understand price differences before committing, helps consumers avoid spending money they did not plan to spend. For many households, especially those managing carefully from month to month, that ability has become essential rather than optional.
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Anchen Coetzee
Geography still plays a role in access to goods, particularly outside major urban centres where retail choice can be limited. Online platforms have eased some of these constraints by making a wider range of products available regardless of location. As a result, where a consumer lives matters less than the quality of information they can access before making a decision.
Ease of use remains important, but it is no longer the deciding factor it once was. Consumers want to move through platforms without friction, but they also want the space to consider their options without pressure. Tools that aim to provide clearer pricing visibility and comparison support allow buyers to make decisions based on need, rather than impulse.
Trust has also become a practical consideration. Greater awareness of online fraud and unreliable sellers has made consumers more cautious, and rightly so. As digital shopping becomes routine, reliability is no longer seen as a bonus. It is expected.
There is a wider economic effect to this change in behaviour. When consumers shop with better information, spending tends to be more deliberate. Platforms that can connect buyers with a broader range of sellers, including smaller businesses, help create a more balanced marketplace where visibility is linked to relevance and price, rather than sheer scale.
Looking ahead to 2026, the real shift will not be about where people choose to shop, but how they approach the buying process. Consumers who understand their options and take time to assess them are better placed to manage their spending and avoid unnecessary costs.
Online shopping is not going anywhere. What is changing is the mindset behind it. Platforms that respect the need for clarity and aim to support informed decision-making are responding to a practical reality. In the current economic climate, informed shopping is no longer a preference. It is a necessity.
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