As November approaches, South African shoppers are preparing for the biggest retail event of the year — Black Friday.
Set to take place on 28 November 2025, this year’s Black Friday deals are already rolling out across major stores, with many offering discounts throughout the entire month.
According to BusinessTech, retailers including Game and Makro have begun their Black Friday promotions early, unveiling discounts of up to 50% on air fryers, fridges, washing machines, and premium liquor.
Makro’s marketing executive, Langa Khanyile, said South African shoppers tend to plan big-ticket purchases ahead of time.
“They do their research early and pause large purchases to take advantage of Black Friday specials,” Khanyile said .
At Game, customers can expect major markdowns on electronics, home appliances, and toys, with deals going live online at midnight on 28 November. The retailer is also offering early-access discounts to newsletter subscribers and online shoppers.
Game’s 2025 sale features a mix of household essentials and tech upgrades, including smart TVs, gaming consoles, and kitchen appliances.
The company has also highlighted special offers on laptops and tablets for back-to-school preparation .
Superbalist is leading the way in the fashion and lifestyle category with discounts of up to 70% across clothing, shoes, and furniture.
The company’s Black Friday 2025 campaign emphasises convenience and variety, allowing customers to shop everything from sneakers to home décor online.
The retailer has also confirmed that its deals will extend into Cyber Monday, the follow-up event that focuses on online-exclusive offers.
Makro, meanwhile, is positioning itself as a one-stop shop for electronics and entertainment. Its early Black Friday catalogue includes a Samsung 58-inch TV for R5,999 and a Lenovo Core i5 laptop for R7,999.
The retailer is also offering free delivery on online orders over R500 and a next-day pickup service for in-store collections.
While shoppers are focused on discounts, few know the history behind Black Friday.
The term first emerged in the United States during the 1960s, when police in Philadelphia used it to describe heavy traffic and crowded streets after Thanksgiving.
Retailers later rebranded it as a positive concept — the day they went from operating “in the red” (at a loss) to “in the black” (profitable). Over the decades, Black Friday evolved into a global shopping phenomenon, with retailers competing to offer the most attractive deals .
In South Africa, the event gained momentum in the 2010s, first through online stores before brick-and-mortar retailers joined in. Today, it’s a major feature of the retail calendar, with many businesses extending sales over several weeks to meet consumer demand.
For 2025, experts predict that online shopping will continue to dominate as more consumers turn to e-commerce for convenience and safety. Popular searches so far include electronics, kitchen appliances, and fashion — with many shoppers adding items to wish lists ahead of the big day.
With early access already available across platforms like Game, Makro, and Superbalist, shoppers are encouraged to plan ahead, compare prices, and act fast — as stock for the biggest discounts tends to run out quickly.
