Black Friday in South Africa has evolved far beyond a single day of deals, it’s now a full-blown season of savings. While Black Friday 2025 officially falls on 28 November, shoppers and retailers alike know the real action spans the entire month.
Welcome to "Black November," where savvy spending meets seamless payment solutions, and the way customers pay is just as important as the deals they score.
The New Retail Reality
The retail scene is shifting fast. Last year alone, South African banks processed over R30 billion in Black Friday transactions, with more than half happening online, mostly on smartphones. Retailers who limit themselves to one day miss a huge chunk of opportunities. Black November has become the new arena where delivering a seamless, mobile-friendly shopping experience throughout the month matters more than ever.
What’s Hot on South African Shoppers’ Wishlists?
Electronics, fashion, and home appliances remain top picks. But with the current economic climate, many are using this season to stock up on groceries and everyday essentials, determined to find value wherever it lives.
The New Payment Playbook
Traditional credit and debit cards still dominate at around 84% of transactions. But the mix is evolving. Instant EFTs are on the rise, accounting for 12-14% of sales, while Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) products make up 2-3%. Mobile wallets and QR code payments add another 1-2%. Small numbers, maybe, but these are the fastest growing options shaping how South Africans pay today.
Flexible Payments on the Rise
BNPL is soaring, with local providers reporting annual growth of over 90%. This payment method gels perfectly with Gen Z and Millennials who seek the ease of online shopping combined with flexible credit options.
The appeal is simple: grab the deal now and pay later, often without interest.
Alongside BNPL, digital and virtual cards are finding favour for their simplicity and security. For mobile-first shoppers, these solutions match their buying habits seamlessly.
Retailers ignoring these trends risk losing sales. In the fast-moving race of Black November, a missing payment option can turn a “maybe” into a lost sale in seconds.
Checkout Experience: The Deal Maker or Breaker
Fast and frictionless checkouts are the new norm. Cart abandonment haunts online stores, and clunky payment processes top the list of reasons why customers bail.
Retailers need payment systems with near-perfect uptime, Black Friday waits for no one. Security is crucial, but it must be invisible. Fraud spikes by up to 600% during peak seasons, yet any security measure slowing the customer down risks driving them away.
Seamless payment doesn’t stop at the website. Many businesses chat with customers on WhatsApp and other platforms, but directing buyers to awkward external sites kills sales momentum. Integrated payment links within chats are becoming the secret weapon to closing deals in these new channels.
From Payment to Perfect Delivery
Closing the sale is just the start. Once payment clears, shoppers expect swift, reliable delivery. No matter the deal or how smooth checkout was, a late or damaged parcel quickly erodes trust.
That’s where a dependable logistics partner like DHL steps in. With deep local knowledge supported by global expertise, DHL turns sales into flawless deliveries. For retailers aiming to win Black November, partnering with DHL means you can confidently close the loop on customer satisfaction.
Your Payment Mix Opens the Door
South African shoppers now start hunting deals earlier and expect value paired with convenience. Success in Black November goes beyond price cuts, it’s about offering a smooth, flexible payment journey.
Providing a broad payment palette, from cards and EFTs to BNPL and digital wallets, is the key to converting window shoppers into happy customers. That’s the real secret to turning a month-long frenzy into solid, rewarding Black Friday sales.
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