Pick n Pay’s Smart Shopper wins Best Retail Loyalty Programme of the Year in Africa at the 2026 African Loyalty Awards. Amanda Cromhout (Truth and African Loyalty Awards), Bridget Dore (Head of Smart Shopper at Pick n Pay) and Vincent Viviers (Executive - Innovation and Digital Transformation: Pick n Pay).
Image: Supplied.
In a significant achievement for South Africa's retail sector, Pick n Pay's Smart Shopper programme has clinched the title of Best Retail Loyalty Programme of the Year at the 2026 African Loyalty Awards.
This accolade not only underscores the programme's effectiveness in enhancing customer experience but also highlights its role in propelling business performance across the continent.
Bridget Dore, the Head of Smart Shopper at Pick n Pay, expressed her pride in the recognition, stating, "This recognition reflects the scale, relevance and impact Smart Shopper has on South Africans every day. This loyalty programme is designed to support customers not just during their shopping trips but as a consistent source of value for their everyday needs."
The Smart Shopper programme is centred around a twofold strategy that offers both instant savings at the checkout and the accumulation of points on every purchase. "It’s simple, trusted and focused on giving real value back," Dore added.
In an economic climate where every cent matters, Pick n Pay said it is committed to providing its customers with the means to stretch their budgets further.
The impact of Smart Shopper doesn't stop there.
The programme's robustness is further evidenced by its collaboration with BP, which was awarded Best Partnership Programme of the Year.
This partnership is a pioneering initiative that fosters an ecosystem of rewards, having initially launched in 2018.
The introduction of BP’s own rewards programme in 2024 further enhances this relationship through a unique "Swipe-Swipe" mechanic, enabling customers to earn rewards in both programmes simultaneously during a single transaction.
Dore emphasised the centrality of Smart Shopper in Pick n Pay's mission to deliver value.
"The programme continues to strengthen because it consistently delivers tangible savings and rewards where it matters most," she said, reinforcing the commitment to innovative strategies that benefit shoppers in real time.
As the retail landscape in Africa continues to evolve, initiatives like Smart Shopper set a benchmark for what customer loyalty can and should look like, leading the way for future developments in the industry.
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