In 2026, Black Friday falls on Friday 27 November. But when do the sales actually start?
BLACK NOVEMBER IS THE NEW NORMAL
The Black Friday sales have started much earlier in the last few years with deals running throughout the month of November before Black Friday itself, which falls at the end of the month. So, Black Friday has become a month-long “Black November” period with smaller discounts.
Retailers have not yet confirmed their 2026 Black Friday or Black November start dates but we can look at 2025 for an idea.
- Makro and Game launched their Black Friday specials on 24 October 2025
- Amazon South Africa’s Black November deals began on 31 October 2025
- Takealot’s Blue Dot sale ran from 25 November
- Hirsch’s, a home retailer, started theur Black November sale on 31 October 2025
HOW DO YOU FIND THE BEST DEALS?
Early specials are worth it if you want to play it safe. However, retailers so tend to offer their best deals in the final weekend of the month, as sales carry over online through Cyber Monday. Deciding on when to “check out” depends on what you are buying. You can start monitoring prices of items you need already for big ticket items like appliances and electronics. So, you would know when it’s the best time to check out.
Retailers often announce their dates ahead of time.
TIPS FOR SHOPPING BLACK NOVEMBER
- Track prices before the sales start. Price-tracking sites and retailer apps make this easy.
- Compare across retailers. The same TV or air fryer can differ by hundreds of rand between Takealot, Makro, Game and Amazon SA. Check delivery fees and return terms too, since a cheaper price can vanish once shipping or additional fees are added.
- Set a budget and a list. Black Friday works because it pushes impulse buying. Decide in advance what you need, how much you’ll spend, and don’t go beyond it. December and January are long stretches before payday, so leave room for those.
- Shop smart and stay safe online. Stick to trusted retailers and type in the web address yourself rather than clicking links in WhatsApp messages or emails, as scam sites multiply this time of year. Pay by credit card or a secure online payment method where you can, and enable your bank’s transaction notifications.
- Know your rights. The Consumer Protection Act gives you protection when goods are faulty or not as described, and online purchases generally come with a cooling-off period. Keep your invoices and confirmation emails, and read the returns policy for sale items, as some retailers apply stricter terms to discounted stock.
Take a look at South Africa’s best rated shopping malls here.