Searching for groceries on-line amidst rising card fraud

Once I noticed an unfamiliar Uber cost on my account, I rapidly blocked my financial institution card. After that, it now not felt safe to make use of my card to buy on-line. However, the net grocery supply apps I take advantage of typically—Checkers Sixty60 and Choose n Pay asap!—solely settle for card funds leaving buyers like me locked out of handy entry.

In South Africa, on-line grocery buyers who expertise card fraud typically develop into hesitant to make use of playing cards for funds once more. For many who have grown accustomed to the convenience of shopping for with a faucet or click on, returning to lengthy queues and hulking trolleys at bodily shops seems like a irritating step backward. 

“Whereas I used to be at work, I seen two sudden funds to Shein on my card, plus some boat-related expenses—all including as much as R2800. I blocked the cardboard instantly. Ever since, I’ve stopped utilizing my card particulars for on-line purchasing. It feels safer, however it’s additionally a ache as a result of I actually don’t take pleasure in going to shops,” mentioned Thembi Zulu, a restaurant supervisor in Johannesburg.

In South Africa, 68% of complete card fraud losses is because of card-not-present fraud, which is primarily related to on-line transactions, putting South Africa among the many world’s most affected areas.

This raises a query: if fraud makes card use riskier on-line, why have many on-line grocery retailers not responded with safer, extra versatile choices?

Each Checkers Sixty60 and Choose n Pay asap! have constructed their digital checkout experiences round card funds—accepting Visa, Mastercard, and choose debit playing cards. This strategy has served them effectively, supporting fast development and excessive buyer retention. As of July 2025, Checkers Sixty60 had surpassed 5.2 million app downloads, expanded to over 600 areas, and posted a 47.1% surge in gross sales in the course of the second half of 2024. Choose n Pay’s asap! app adopted shut behind, reaching 500 areas and rising 42.5% over the identical interval. 

In-store, retailers provide fee choices from QR codes and crypto to Purchase Now Pay Later (BNPL) and cell pay choices. Nonetheless, these companies usually are not prolonged to on-line grocery buyers.  The State of Client Fee in South Africa report by Sew in partnership with a world analysis agency, Censuswide, reveals that customers are rapidly shifting away from utilizing money and playing cards, and are selecting different digital funds options as a substitute.

Chatting with TechCabal, Choose n Pay mentioned the corporate was actively working to broaden its digital fee capabilities. “We proceed to reinforce our full on-line purchasing expertise as seen with the combination of PnP asap! and Good Shopper right into a single app. Broadening our vary of versatile and safe fee choices stays a key precedence,” a spokesperson mentioned. 

What options do buyers have?

In case buyers discover themselves in an analogous state of affairs as mine, I’ve completed the homework for options that exist. Mr D, as an example, provides groceries from Choose n Pay with each card and EFT choices, and the supply price stays a modest R35. For buyers who decide and select from a number of shops, OneCart provides that flexibility with entry to Woolworths, Makro, and Choose n Pay. It helps a broader vary of fee strategies together with credit score or debit playing cards and Ozow, although the supply price is barely larger at R70. 

Takealot does grocery deliveries too, charging R75 for next-day groceries, whereas providing a large suite of fee selections. And Makro and Sport promise next-day supply and free delivery for orders over R500, additionally with various fee choices together with Discovery Miles, Immediate EFT (financial institution kinked and Capitec Pay, Mobicred (BNPL), MyVirtual Card, and RSC (Retailer bank cards). 

As fraud dangers develop and client expectations shift, embracing quick pay choices is not only a nice-to-have—it’s important for sustained development and buyer belief.

Mark your calendars! Moonshot by TechCabal is again in Lagos on October 15–16! Be a part of Africa’s high founders, creatives & tech leaders for two days of keynotes, mixers & future-forward concepts. Early hen tickets now 20% off—don’t snooze! moonshot.techcabal.com