- Google Trends data revealed that South African Black Friday search interest climbed compared to the same period last year
- Massmart confirmed that Makro and Game rank among the most-searched retailers as shoppers begin planning well before November
- Popular categories are already drawing attention, and Massmart spoke to Briefly News about Makro and Game's goal for Black Friday 2026
Black Friday 2026 falls on 27 November, but South African shoppers are not waiting. Data revealed that South African Black Friday search interest climbed by a significant margin compared to the same period last year. Google Trends data shows that search interest in Black Friday rose 30% over the past three months compared to the same period in 2025. People are already looking up specific products, retailers and deals long before the first promotion drops.
Source: Original
Popular categories already drawing attention include PS5 consoles, iPhones, smart TVs, air fryers and premium fashion. The searches range from broad questions about when Black Friday takes place to targeted queries like "PS5 Black Friday," "iPhone Black Friday deals" and searches for premium clothing brands. Refrigerators, washing machines and everyday pantry essentials are also high on shoppers' radar.
What will Makro and Game's Black Friday deals include?
Massmart confirmed that South Africans can expect selected deals of up to 50% off across Makro, Game and Builders on both sought-after big-ticket products and everyday household essentials. Walmart-branded outlets will also participate this year, giving South African customers another opportunity to experience its value proposition. While customer insights confirm high interest in items like PlayStation 5 consoles, specific promotions have not yet been confirmed and will be announced closer to 27 November 2026.
Source: Original
Massmart confirmed that Makro and Game rank among the most-searched retailers as shoppers begin planning well before November. The group behind Makro, Game and Builders says the early search activity reflects a shift in how South Africans approach the shopping event. Massmart's Marketing VP Charmagne Mazhindu noted that the company is paying close attention to this extended research window.
"Our focus is on making it easier for customers to plan, compare and ultimately make purchasing decisions that work for their households and budgets."
Massmart in tune with Black November
The rise of "Black November," where deals stretch across the full month rather than a single day, has given consumers more breathing room to plan. Massmart will cater to households looking to balance affordability with larger planned purchases rather than relying on single-day impulse buys. Charmagne Mazhindu, Massmart's Marketing VP, noted that the company is paying close attention to this extended research window.
"Black Friday is no longer only about what happens on the day. Customers are researching earlier, comparing their options and thinking carefully about where they can get the best value for their budgets."
Data from Capitec's analysis of South Africa's shopping trends confirms that with the spread of deals throughout Black November, the actual Black Friday weekend was the heavyweight spending champion. Banking insights show South Africans processed R25.3 billion across 55 million transactions over the Black Friday weekend.
Other Briefly News stories about Walmart's entry into South Africa
- Massmart outlined an aggressive expansion plan to launch 21 standalone, flagship Walmart stores across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape, following early store rollouts in Clearwater, Fourways, and Boksburg.
- American travel vlogger @travelwithmiked posted a TikTok walkthrough exploring a Walmart store in Johannesburg, sharing his first-person reaction to encountering the US retail giant during his South African tour.
- A TikTok video posted by @mandy_withthegoodhair showed a young girl picking up a Labubu plush toy at the newly opened Walmart in Clearwater Mall, Johannesburg, and asking for its price.
Source: Briefly News
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