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Black Friday in South Africa is a relatively new concept. While it has been going on in North America for a few decades, South Africa only partook in it for the first time in 2012. Since then, businesses have slowly started to participate in this commercial event.

It is a frenzy the day of Black Friday, so it is wise to plan your trip and shopping cart essentials ahead. 

Whether you’re looking for Black Friday flight specials online or just want to spoil yourself with a nice stay-cation, you’ll find the best deals below.

When is Black Friday 2021?

The Black Friday 2021 date is on 26 November in South Africa.

The American shopping holiday is held annually on the first Friday after Thanksgiving. The date of Black Friday changes every year because Thanksgiving’s date changes every year. Thanksgiving is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.

Today, Black Friday is a weekend event that ends on Cyber Monday, a significant discount day for all electronic devices. Travel Tuesday is also added, which travellers will love because it often has cheaper flight and travel prices than traditional Black Friday.

What We Learned from Black Friday 2020

Based on the trends we saw in 2020, here are the trends we can expect in 2021. On Black Friday 2020, South African retailers saw their sales go down sharply compared to previous years. 

Following the rise in popularity, retailers were prepared for shoppers to show up in more significant volumes once again. Surprisingly, physical retailers saw two million fewer transactions than in 2019. However, online transactions increased by 60%.

The worldwide pandemic played a major role in the decline in purchases in brick-and-mortar stores. In 2020, the airline and travel industry saw the biggest drop in sales. Now that the world is opening back up, physical stores and airline companies will see an increase in numbers once again. 

How to Find the Best Black Friday Specials

Scooping up the best deals takes preparation and strategic planning. It is more than just showing up to the website or store on the day of Black Friday. Here’s how to prepare:

Before the Day

Before Black Friday weekend, there is a lot of research and budgeting that needs to happen. It can take a few hours so prepare to put some time aside to plan thoroughly.

Do Your Homework

Find out which companies are having Black Friday sales and what they will be discounting. Compare promotional prices on your targeted websites before Black Friday to know if the ‘deal’ you’re getting is in actual fact, a good deal. It is also an excellent time to research how much money you’ll need and set up a budget.

Budget

Whenever you plan a trip or make big purchases, it is wise to set up a budget beforehand. On Black Friday weekend, a budget is essential because retailers want you to buy more than ever and will distract you with promises of limited low prices. In your budget, be aware of possible conversion rates or extra shipping costs.

Be Flexible

If you have a specific destination in mind, be clear about your destination, but be flexible about your dates. If you’re able to be flexible on both, you might score an even bigger discount. Not only can you save a lot of money on flight tickets by being flexible, but with the proper planning, you can score some great deals with car rentals and hotels too.

Sign Up for Newsletters

Sign up to receive emails and sale reminders from your targeted website or retailers. If the company is on social media, it might be helpful to follow them on there too. You’ll be one of the firsts to know about possible discounts and deals on the big day.

Compare prices

Be sure to know how retailers will try and trick you, so you’re prepared for your big shopping. Sometimes the in-store, online, and in-app prices of the same company differ, so be sure to compare their prices to get the best deals.

Be Prepared On the Day

Know when sales start and close. Many companies start their sales at midnight on the day of Black Friday, so be prepared and log in early to make sure you don’t miss anything. If you are put into an online waiting room (like with most airlines on Black Friday), do not panic and leave your computer. 

They are more than likely experiencing a backlog and trying to serve everyone in the waiting room in order of when they entered. So, be patient and your discount will come. If you’re going to a store you might have to queue outside a few hours before opening time.

Have Your Documents Ready

If you’re planning on buying flights online, have your ID and Passport on hand, so you don’t waste time scrambling for things. Many flight websites only run their sales until plane seats are filled up.

Be Safe

In the frenzy of it all, you might get flustered by all of the deals available online. But, not everyone is participating with good intentions. Always watch out for scams on this weekend-long shopping event (especially online). Make sure the e-commerce store has secure payment platforms that don’t store your credit card information.

Know the Return Policy

Many deals have terms & conditions added to reduce prices. Be aware of any hidden T&Cs and return and exchange policies. Check trip exclusions and money-back policies before you buy. This research should be done before the day, but some companies change details as soon as sales start, so it’s good to double-check on the day of the discount.

Black Friday Deals in South Africa

Since adopting the major retail holiday, South African retailers have really stepped up their game both in-store and online. On top of Black Friday, Travel Tuesday has also made an appearance in the market.

In 2020, the travel industry had a tough time. Now in 2021, the industry is predicted to have a significant increase in sales. To find and take advantage of the best travel deals, it is important to be strategic in your planning before and during the big travel sale days.

This guide will help you plan for your future discounts on Black Friday weekend so you can save even more cash, whether you’re planning on travelling internationally or domestically.