It might not feel like it with the frenzy of the last few years, but Black Friday is a relatively new concept in South Africa. It was brought over from the USA, where it is “celebrated” on the fourth Friday of November. This is generally the Friday that follows Thanksgiving and is a day when retailers slash their prices and offer discounts. There is also Cyber Monday that comes afterwards, which focuses on online deals. And things can get *pretty* wild with some Black Friday shopping experiences leaving people seriously injured.
This hasn’t stopped it from taking off in a major way in Mzansi. In 2021, there was a 30% increase in sales over Black Friday from the year before.
The best way to have a more positive experience is to get prepared ahead of time so that you are ready to shop and save. Here are four tips to ensure that your Black Friday shopping is simple and streamlined.
TIP #1: Save your faves
In the days leading up to Black Friday, have a look at the e-commerce site of your favourite stores to see what items you’d like to buy. Bookmark these items so that you can find them easily rather than having to scroll through the site.
TIP #2: Arrive early
This should go without saying but if you want to get first dibs on your favourite beauty spoils, you should arrive at the shops early. Many malls will open earlier than usual to allow people to queue. Pack a camping chair and get comfortable!
TIP #3: Stay up late
If you are going to be doing your Black Friday shopping online, you might want to consider staying up late rather than getting up early. Many websites make their deals available from just after midnight so you can shop and save while everyone sleeps.
TIP #4: Research prices
Before you get excited about what appears to be a good deal, do some homework. Check online what other retailers are selling the same item for – you might be surprised to find that some specials aren’t so special after all!
Want to save big this Black Friday? Keep an eye on our website and social media channels or enquire in stores for more details.
