Nationwide shopping frenzy marks one of South Africa’s busiest retail days as malls overflow, online platforms strain, and retailers enjoy record-breaking sales despite economic pressures.
Johannesburg, South Africa – 28 November 2025
South Africa was gripped by a nationwide shopping frenzy on Friday as millions of shoppers flocked to malls, supermarkets, and online platforms for Black Friday deals. From Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria and beyond, long queues, early openings and overflowing parking lots marked one of the busiest retail days the country has seen in years.
Retailers reported a surge in both in-store and online purchases, with shoppers eager to secure bargains on electronics, groceries, appliances, clothing, furniture and more. Major retail chains such as Shoprite, Makro, Game, Woolworths and Pick n Pay noted that foot traffic began building as early as 5am, with some stores opening hours earlier than usual to manage the rush.
“We haven’t seen this level of demand since pre-Covid years,” said a Johannesburg store manager at Makro Woodmead.
“Customers started lining up outside the gates before sunrise just to secure high-value items.”
By midday, social media was flooded with videos of lengthy queues, full trolleys, and sold-out sections in stores across the country. Despite concerns about the high cost of living and rising food prices, South Africans still turned out in massive numbers—suggesting that many families have been saving specifically for Black Friday discounts.
Online Shopping Boom
In addition to crowded shops, online retailers also reported unprecedented traffic. South Africans increasingly opted for digital shopping to avoid long queues, leading to momentary slowdowns on several large e-commerce platforms.
Takealot and other delivery-based services saw a spike in orders, especially for tech gadgets, beauty products and home appliances.
“This is our biggest Black Friday demand since the platform launched,” a Takealot representative confirmed. “Orders were flowing in at record speed shortly after midnight.”
Economic Relief for Retailers
Economists noted that the Black Friday rush came at a crucial time for South Africa’s retail sector, which has been struggling under the weight of slow economic growth, interest rate pressures, and reduced consumer spending.
Black Friday sales are expected to bring financial relief to many businesses ahead of the festive season.
Load Shedding Concerns
Although some regions experienced load shedding disruptions, many stores deployed generators to ensure continuous service throughout the day.
In Pretoria, Johannesburg and parts of KwaZulu-Natal, shoppers expressed relief that most major malls were adequately prepared.
Human Stories from the Rush
From a Cape Town mother searching for discounted school supplies to a Durban taxi driver buying a long-awaited fridge, South Africans from all walks of life shared the same mission—stretching their budgets further during tough economic times.
“With prices so high throughout the year, this is the one day I can get value for my money,” said a shopper at Menlyn Park in Pretoria.
“I planned my purchases for weeks.”
Looking Ahead
Black Friday continues through the weekend, with retailers extending discounts as Cyber Monday approaches. Experts predict that total spending for Black Friday 2025 may surpass previous years, reaffirming its place as one of the most influential days in South African retail.
