Soweto shopping mall developments have impacted on the area's consumer purchasing behaviour, Unisa's Bureau of Market Research said on Tuesday.

"Presently more than nine of every 10 Sowetans buy from local Soweto retailers," the bureau said.

"Whereas approximately 20 percent of household goods and services are purchased from businesses located outside Soweto, almost half of Sowetans' purchases are from new or established retail malls or centres in Soweto," the study added.

Only 10.4 percent and 7.2 percent of consumer purchases were made from home-based and street vendors/hawkers/ streetfront shops respectively.

The study showed a clear preference of Sowetans to shop weekly at new or established retail malls.

The most popular days to shop — according to the research — were Saturdays and Sundays.

"Almost 60 percent of Sowetans shop at new or established retail malls on Saturdays," the study said.

Sowetans could now be classified as trolley or bulk shoppers due to the close proximity of retail outlets.

Bulk shoppers

Almost 70 percent of Sowetans who shopped at retail malls regarded themselves as bulk shoppers.

"Also, due to many Sowetans still working outside Soweto, shoppers tend to rather engage in 'top-up' or 'fill-up' shopping than bulk shopping outside Soweto," the study said.

A typical shopping trolley of a Sowetan shopping at a new or established retail mall comprised food products such as fats and oils; milk products and eggs; sugar products; grain products; nonalcoholic beverages and meat products.

Popular nonfood items would include washing and cleaning materials and personal care products, the study added.

Four major shopping malls — Protea Gardens, Baramall, Jabulani and Maponya — have opened in Soweto since 2005.

Sapa

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