Buy and sell

Bulk buying and reselling with a buying group or stokvel

Pool money with a group to buy groceries, toiletries or household goods in bulk at wholesale prices, then resell smaller packs to neighbours, workplaces and spaza shops.

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

Organised, trusted people who keep good records and already belong to a stokvel or community group.

In South Africa: Strong in townships, towns and workplaces everywhere.

What you need

  • A phone is enough to start
  • Works on everyday data
  • No camera needed
  • No cold selling
  • At least 4 hours a week · age 18+

The money

What it can earn

  1. Pocket money
  2. A top-up
  3. A second income
  4. Can become a full income

Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.

What people charge

No reliable SA figure yet

We found no published South African price list we trust for this, so we do not quote a rand figure. Ask three sellers near you what they charge before you set yours.

Costs to plan for

Start-up
R1 000 to R10 000
Every month
Stock, transport from the wholesaler, packaging for smaller packs.
Payment fees
EFT or cash up front for pre-orders.
Margin
Thin. Pre-orders protect you from stock you cannot sell.

How it is paid: A small mark-up on pre-ordered goods bought at bulk prices. Our viability score for it: 65 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

  1. Test it cheaply Before you spend

    • List 15 items your group buys every month and compare supermarket and wholesale prices
    • Take pre-paid orders for one month
    • Success signal: 10 households order twice

  2. First week Days 1 to 7

    • Compare prices for 15 common items at two wholesalers and a supermarket
    • Write simple rules: order cut-off, payment first, collection day
    • Share a price list in your group or workplace

  3. First month Days 8 to 30

    • Run your first pre-paid order
    • Keep a record of every rand in and out and share it with the group
    • Ask what people want added

  4. By three months Days 31 to 90

    • Offer a regular monthly order day
    • Approach two spaza shops to buy from you
    • Plan festive season hampers early

Pre-orders with payment can start within a week or two. First income usually takes 7 to 90 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

Bulk buying for your group or stokvel: from one price list to your first pre-paid order

25 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Households, colleagues and small shops that want lower prices.

Cheaper groceries and household goods for people who cannot buy in bulk alone.

Is there demand?

Grocery stokvels are well established: NASASA runs a grocery stokvel plan where groups pool monthly contributions for a year-end bulk buy, and says it represents more than 125,000 groups. Reselling margins are not published, so we do not quote one.

Grocery stokvelsWorkplace bulk ordersSelling to spaza shopsFestive season hampers

Getting customers

Your group, workplace and neighbourhood WhatsApp groups, with a clear price list and order cut-off.

Word of mouth and referralsDirect messagesIn-person networking

Risks and rules

Watch out for

  • Money disputes in a group: write rules down and keep every receipt
  • Holding stock nobody paid for: work on pre-paid orders
  • Food safety when repacking: keep original packaging where you can

Competition: Moderate: supermarket specials compete. Convenience and trust win.

Room to grow: Grows with more groups and regular orders from shops.

Legal and tax in South Africa

  • Repacking food may need a Certificate of Acceptability.
  • A stokvel that takes deposits must follow its constitution; NASASA has guidance.
  • Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start bulk buying and reselling with a buying group or stokvel in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R1 000 to R10 000. Recurring costs: Stock, transport from the wholesaler, packaging for smaller packs.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 30 days, and between 7 and 90 days. Pre-orders with payment can start within a week or two.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

Repacking food may need a Certificate of Acceptability. A stokvel that takes deposits must follow its constitution; NASASA has guidance. Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Sources (3)

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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy