Pick n Pay’s latest marketing tool isn’t new at all. Many other retailers have loyalty programs, including Clicks.

But somehow this new smart shopper card Pick n Pay is marketing on tv and Facebook – with smart shopper app and all – is making me take note. Clever marketing by the way.

Calling the card a smart shopper card is…smart too.

We like our retailers and everyone else for that matter to think of us as smart people Even when they’re taking our hard earned money on a regular basis.

And we all need to grocery shop, like it or not. Being offered rewards for a horrible (for me) chore can only be good.

Currently I shop at Checkers because I dislike the layout of the Pick n Pay store in my local mall. So we’ll see whether convenience and comfort wins over offers of rewards.

Anyway, the Pick n Pay smart shopper card will reward customers with 1 point for each R1 spent and also double, triple and bonus points on special offers.

At the end of each quarter shoppers will be able to spend their earned points at Pick n Pay.

Apparently all you have to do is apply in-store with your ID number and start shopping.

I might go check it out on Monday since I have to go shopping anyway.

Because whether I use the smart shopper card or not, I like the whole campaign and the way it’s been rolled out on tv and on social media at the same time.

I think they’ve just outsmarted other retailers.

Yesterday after work I needed to get some things at the supermarket at our local mall.

I wandered past Checkers in Kenilworth Centre and had to stop in my tracks – while considering whether shop there or  at Pick n Pay further along.

Other than the usual Checkers logo, there were trimmings all over the entrance of the shop!

(We’ve barely come out of winter in Cape Town, for heaven’s sake!)

Needless to say, I walked right past Checkers as I am not ready for Christmas. Not that I will be until 24 December!

Fortunately Pick n Pay in Kenilworth Centre had no such decorations in their store – yet.

However, they’ve decided to redecorate their entire store! Everything moved from where it’s previous location.

I stood there shell-shocked!

I’ve been a regular shopper in that store for at least the last 7 years and could be in and out of that store in a few minutes.

If all the tills were regularly manned, I could probably cut down that time in half!

Maybe the shopping gods are all trying to keep me out of the mall.

So far they’re doing a great job!

While many women apparently love shoes, I’m not one of them.  To me, shoes should be functional, practical and pretty.  Mostly comforable – which is why I wear beats in winter and sandals in summer and of course trainers for working out.

But my real weakness in jewellery!  I’m definitely a jewellery type of woman.

I love natural materials – silver, gold (if it’s not to expensive) and gemstones – precious and semi-precious.  Not so much diamonds – although that’s my birthstone.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays you can usually find me at the Bidorbuy Crazy Auctions looking for gemstone jewellery in sterling silver.

These are my two recent buys. I absolutely love them! Although one needs to be resized as it’s too big. The turquoise colour (malachite) one fits perfectly.

My golden rule is to never pay more than R100 including postage for a ring.

Although this one is my favourite of the two:

So last week I received the earrings I bought after winning an auction online.  I paid about R40, with postage included.

It’s sterling silver and a brighter orange than it shows on the photo.

Because I mostly wear jeans, boots and t-shirts to work, jewellery is pretty much the only way to smarten things up.

I make most of my own jewellery, but sometimes it is nice to add something different to my collection.

I know I’m not the only person who walks into Fruit & Veg with the intention of getting apples and bananas and get to the till with a basket packed with stuff you never even knew existed.

My friends and colleagues have told similar stories of the Fruit & Veg effect.

So it was with me again this morning. 

I’m currently on leave and trying to eat healthy to stay in shape for the Two Oceans 21km next week.

Off I went to my local Fruit & Veg store, just over the road from my home.

Last time I took plastic carrier bags, but when I got to the counter felt very environmentally unfriendly, so took my canvas bag with, this time. 

Actually, just walking into Fruit & Veg makes me feel healthier and more green.  Makes me want to switch off more lights at home.

My intention was to take a list and only buy what was on that list. 

I forgot the list.

Apples and bananas turned into spinach, mixed nuts and of all things, Chinese giant peanuts.

Avocados were 3 for R10 so I had to get my favourite fruit. 

Pineapples were 3 for the price of two, but I walked past that one.  Cucumbers were also 3 for R10 I think, but I walked past that one too.

When I got to the counter I had again spent much more than I had planned, and I don’t know how it happened!

Had I not walked straight to the till, I might still be there buying who knows what.

That Fruit & Veg store sure knows how to draw us in and keep us there. 

Perhaps it’s the natural food that makes us feel good?  Whatever it is, I’m not going without my list again.

I forgot half the things I needed, again.