Pick n Pay reviewed... a competition entry

Pick n Pay is embracing Twitter , and they asked people on the network to review the brand. I think there's a prize involved somewhere, but regardless, I thought I'd give it a bash anyway!

My experience of Pick n Pay is mostly of the stores at the Norwood Mall and at Greenstone Mall. As far as branding goes: the shops are slick, give the impression of being well organised, cohesive, you know exactly which company you're shopping with when you're instore (product lines are available in both - you could really be in any Pick n Pay anywhere), and there really is just about anything you could possibly think of, available for purchase. Their organic stuff is well branded, and often the same price or less than the chemically 'enhanced' veggies, which is a win in my books.

The Norwood shop is a vast improvement on the grubby, dingy (very big) hole that it was before the mall was renovated, and it has actually scored points with me for being half the size: it's not quite such an intimidating shop to negotiate and navigate around. The shop's big and comprehensive kosher sections are very popular with the Jewish community, who form such a big part of its customer base that the Norwood shop is probably the only quiet one in the country, on a Saturday.

The Greenstone shop has been great from the get-go.

What lets the brand down?
At Norwood, there seems to be a problem with supply chain management - basics like milk and bread are often out of stock late in the afternoon, when working moms like myself dash past to stock up during the week. While most of the staff are friendly, there are several that really seem to be doing you a favour by ringing your goods up.

My biggest complaint with Pick n Pay is the way they handle things when a price is incorrect. If the price on the shelf is less than the price that is rung up on scanning, you are entitled to a refund (and I think another one free, not sure of the details there). That can't happen at the till though - you have to pay the too-much amount, and then shlep over to customer services, explain your whole story, and have a very bored person dawdle to the shelf to get the offending tag, and then take ages to process the refund that is due. This, Pick n Pay, is your mistake. Don't make your mistake cost me my time.

However, on the whole - prices are cheaper than most other spots (except for nappies - watch out on those), and there's the advantage of literally being able to buy everything you need from one shop. Just one. Which when you're counting pennies and hoarding moments, is a winner.