Retailers in South Africa are planning to pull out all the stops to make this year’s Black Friday the biggest one-day discount sale the country has ever seen.
Telkom, Superbalist, Pick n Pay, Takealot, Game, and H&M have all announced that they’ll be offering Black Friday deals in South Africa on November 23.
Black Friday is a popular US shopping day for a combination of reasons, however, the main one being a day when retailers offer massive discounts. It used to mark the start of the Christmas shopping season, after the US Thanksgiving holiday. Most major retailers open very early, as early as overnight hours, and offer promotional sales.
The trend has recently gained momentum in South Africa, with several stores reporting stampedes as shoppers fight each other for discounted products.
Julie-Anne Walsh, chief marketing officer at Takealot, said the online retailer will offer “amazing discounts on thousands of products” over a five-day period.
“As the company that first brought Black Friday to South Africa, we intend to go bigger than ever this year,” Walsh told Business Insider South Africa.
She said Take alot’s Blue Dot Sale will start at 00:01 on Black Friday.
Customers can expect discounts on everything from cellphones and laptops, to TVs, kitchen appliances, beauty ranges, toys, baby products, gaming, and liquor, Walsh said.
Pick n Pay marketing head John Bradshaw said the chain has made arrangement to get more stock “than ever before” to cater for increased demand.
He said the retailer will also have surprises on its website during Black Friday which will help to maximise savings to its customers.
“We are working very hard to make sure our customers get the best deals on the biggest day of the year,” Bradshaw told Business Insider South Africa.
Makro also has massive plans for Black Friday 2018, including an online drive-thru.
Speaking to BusinessTech, Makro said that its preparations for Black Friday 2018 began at least nine months in advance.
The retailer also expanded on which items will likely be the most popular on the day.
“Items such as high-tech products as well as small and large appliances are very popular during this period,” it said.
“Festive season groceries also feature top of the list.”
Makro additionally explained how its online drive-thru will work below:
- The customer must select the click and collect transaction online.
- When the customer arrives at Riversands there will be sign posters directing them to the drive-thru.
- The customer will communicate with a Makro staff member through an intercom.
- Before the items are granted the customer must provide either their ID number, customer number or order number in order to receive their purchased items.
- After the customer has received their belongings they will be required to sign on a mobile device and give a star rating before departing.
Business Insider/Business Tech
