The annual shopping bonanza of Black Friday is just around the corner, but what can South African shoppers expect from this year’s Black Friday? This year, in addition to Early Black Friday deals that are already live, the annual shopping bonanza is expected to attract millions of consumers looking for the best deals. And, experts say the odds are that this year could be the biggest one yet.
As much as South Africa is emerging from the unprecedented slump brought on by the hard lockdown in the first half of 2020, the economy remains far from robust.
PriceCheck tip: Get a head-start on the Black Friday research by checking out the items you’re looking for on PriceCheck.
What to expect from Black Friday 2022
Household budgets remain extremely tight and as a result of feeling the pinch, South Africans will no doubt be even more motivated to seek out deals, especially since the festive season is only two months away. Shoppers looking for a way to spoil themselves and their loved ones this festive season will be scouring the internet and retail advertisements in a bid to purchase affordable gifts well ahead of time.
Now, with the national lockdown firmly behind us, South Africans are feeling more comfortable getting back into the swing of things in terms of visiting shopping malls and grocery shops. This year, we will surely also see consumers flock to shops this Black Friday, which falls on 26 November. But, while many consumers have returned to malls and brick-and-mortar stores, the convenience and safety of online shopping will very likely see many customers keeping their Black Friday shopping efforts to the virtual malls again this year.
Retailers will also take some of the lessons they learned last year and implement them for this year’s shopping event. Last year’s strategy of extending the Black Friday shopping day to cover a week or even the full month of November helped to limit the number of shoppers in-store on any given day and offered customers more time to shop and score great deals online, in order to lessen the load on courier services. Consumers will once again see retailers using this strategy with early bird Black Friday deals starting as soon as October.
What are the trendy items that you’re likely to find deals on this year?
While consumers’ budgets continue to be stretched, one constant we can expect for Black Friday deals is the slashing of prices on big-ticket digital devices like HDTVs, smartphones, and laptops. Lockdown has seen people spend much more time at home, and this is reflected in the growing popularity of home entertainment options, especially gaming. Keep an eye out for amazing deals on gaming consoles at major retailers this year.
On the home front, the lockdown has also seen a significant trend in home refurbishment and DIY and this year shoppers can definitely expect to see some stellar Black Friday markdowns on home and garden items.
And, with budgets stretched more than usual, the big-name grocery retailers are sure to be placing a big focus on special deals on core items, including groceries and household products.
No matter what you’re after this Black Friday, it is important to have a plan of action when shopping the Black Friday deals. Retailers could drop daily deals at any time during the month of October and November, so it’s worth checking back regularly during the month to avoid missing out. If you have particular items in mind, then plan ahead and start shopping as early as you can to be sure of getting the best deals on popular items.
Tips to maximise this year’s Black Friday shopping experience
To maximise this year’s Black Friday shopping experience, check out the following tips:
- Do your research in advance to help you focus on your priority items.
- Do a price check on items in advance to be sure that you really are getting a great deal. Visit PriceCheck now to plan your shopping!
- Start planning early, especially given that many stores will be launching their Black Friday deals earlier this year.
- Sign up for newsletters, so you’ll be the first to know when the hottest deals go live. Sign up for the FREE PriceCheck newsletter now for all the best deals in one place!
- Set yourself a spending limit – and stick to it.
- Avoid the mall queues by shopping online. With thousands of deals online in one place, PriceCheck is the best place to find Black Friday deals in South Africa.
- Make sure you know the relevant return policies and fees.
