The Sunday Times has released the list of winners in its annual Top Brands awards, recognising brands that have earned “top consumer sentiment” in South Africa over the past twelve months.

According to Times Media, current trends among SA’s top brands indicate that the tough economic climate has pushed consumers away from trying new things, back into their comfort zones.

“The economic climate has meant that people are making smarter, more traditional brand choices. In the essential / staple food and drinks categories people are choosing brands that have a strong heritage that they trust and the old favourites continue to come out on top,” the group said.

“This thinking manifests slightly differently in the luxury and high spend categories where we see a rise of premium, high quality brands. It’s not about spending less in harder times, it’s about choosing brands that won’t disappoint.”

For the 2016 business awards, 502 corporate decision-makers were polled in the business sector, and in the consumer awards, 3500 consumers were polled, with 2500 interviews conducted in SA metros, and 1000 in non-metro areas, Time Media said.

Vodacom was awarded the ‘Overall Top Brands Grand Prix’ as the best regarded brand in 2016, and triumphed in the telecommunications providers category as well.

Woolworths was awarded the Community Upliftment Grand Prix, ahead of Sasol and SABMiller in 2nd and 3rd places respectively.

Nedbank again received the Top Brands Green Grand Prix Award for its environmental sustainability campaigns, and placed third in the corporate banking category where FNB walked away with the Top Brands accolade and Investec made an impressive surge to take second spot.

KOO maintained consumer appeal to win the Overall Favourite Top Brands Grand Prix in the consumer category, with Coca-Cola placing second. KOO also held its position as number one in the tinned food category.

These are the top brands in South Africa:

Business Awards

Consumer Awards