SKUBU – fully automated refill stores | Green Economy

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SKUBU – fully automated refill stores

Location

South Africa

Sector

Retail

Stage

Implementation

Overview

SKUBU is the world’s first fully automated refill store designed specifically for low-income consumers. SKUBU offers high-demand staples at unmatched prices — for example, 1kg of maize meal retails at R9, compared to R20 in traditional retail — a 55% saving on one of South Africa’s most consumed food items. By offering products in small, affordable pack sizes without the cost of packaging, SKUBU makes dignified access to essential goods both economical and environmentally responsible. This innovation not only reduces waste, but also radically lowers prices for consumers by enabling fixed pricing per litre or kilogram, regardless of the refill size. We are looking to scale SKUBU across Southern Africa from 2 stores to over 30 in the next 2 years & are looking for funding to do so.

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Investment Needs

$6 000 000

Investment Project Type:

Private

Invested Value to Date:

$471 785

Funding Gap:

$6 000 000

Climate Classification:

Mitigation

Why Investing

Disruptive, Innovative Retail Model

SKUBU revolutionises traditional retail with a modern, efficient, and fully automated refill approach tailored for low-income consumers.

Dual Economic & Social Impact:

Delivers significant cost savings for consumers and micro-enterprise owners while enhancing access to essential goods.

Strong Environmental Stewardship

Drastically reduces single-use plastic waste and promotes sustainable consumption, aligning with critical environmental goals.

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Rowena Gilpin

Head of partnerships
https://www.sonke.org