Shoppers swarm stores and online platforms as South Africans swipe over R500 million by midday — Black Friday 2025 breaks records! Pictures Credits: Tech Story
By Aisha Zardad
Johannesburg, – South African shoppers have gone all out this Black Friday, with early figures showing around 1.5 million transactions worth over R500 million settled through major payment systems by just midday.
The frenzy comes as South Africa’s biggest brands and retailers unleashed a wave of special offers and deep discounts, both in stores and online. Analysts predict this year’s Black Friday spend could soar to between R146 billion and R153 billion, marking it as potentially the largest shopping day in the country’s history.
“It’s one of the biggest days of the year for our industry and for businesses,” said Rahul Jain, CEO and co-founder of Peach Payments, which has been monitoring real-time transactions across the country.
Key Stats & Highlights
- Transactions: ~1.5 million by midday
- Total Spend: Over R500 million before lunch
- Busiest Hours: 10:00–11:00 AM (early morning transactions from midnight to 9 AM already double compared to 2024)
- Average Spend per Transaction: ~R500
- Largest Transactions:
- R210,680 – single high-value purchase
- R378,392 – travel deal (Peach Payments)
- R336,262 – retail item (Peach Payments)
Regional Shopping Trends
- Western Cape: ~66% of transactions
- Gauteng: ~33%
- Other provinces: ~1% combined
Online Sales Surge: E-commerce is capturing the attention of South African shoppers this year. According to research from World Wide Worx in collaboration with Mastercard, Peach Payments, and Ask Afrika, online sales alone could hit R130 billion, contributing to a projected 10% of total retail market share in 2025.
The combination of low inflation, recent interest rate cuts, and strong consumer confidence has fuelled demand for both big-ticket items and everyday essentials. While some shoppers chase electronics and fashion deals, others are stocking up on household items ahead of the festive season.
Notable Highlights:
- Early-morning shoppers were already swiping at midnight, beating last year’s figures.
- Peak transaction speed saw more than 1,400 approvals per minute, with the fastest purchase taking just 51 seconds.
- Financial experts caution against reckless spending and advise shoppers to stick to a budget.
“Consumers are excited, but it’s important to shop smart,” Jain added. “Read all terms and conditions, be wary of scams, and make purchases from reputable retailers.”
With Black Friday deals extending into Cyber Monday, both in-store and online, South African shoppers are expected to continue their spending frenzy well into the weekend, making 2025 a record-setting year for retail.
