Business
Makro and Game Kick Off Early Black Friday 2025 Deals
Early Discounts Kick Off a Month of Shopping Frenzy
South Africa’s Black Friday season has arrived early this year. Makro and Game have officially launched their first wave of Black Friday 2025 deals, starting 24 October and running through November, offering discounts of up to 50% on big-ticket items.
The retailers, both owned by Massmart, are tapping into a growing trend among South African shoppers who now plan purchases weeks in advance. According to Massmart marketing executive Langa Khanyile, local consumers are “very strategic” when it comes to Black Friday spending. Many delay major buys like electronics and home appliances until specials drop, ensuring maximum value.
Online search data reflects that shift, with air fryers, fridges, washing machines, and premium liquor topping the most-searched categories on both Makro and Game’s websites.
What’s on Sale
Among the biggest deals so far, shoppers can find:
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Samsung 58-inch Smart TV for R5 999
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Lenovo Intel Core i5 laptop for R7 999
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Hisense 7 kg front-loader washing machine at a discounted price
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Martell VS Single Distillery Cognac for premium liquor lovers
Both brands are also offering free delivery on online orders over R500, as well as a Pickup service, which lets customers shop online and collect their purchases the next day.
How Black Friday Became “Black November”
The once-American retail tradition dates back to the 1960s, but in South Africa, it has evolved into a month-long event. Initially driven by online retailers, Black Friday quickly spread to physical stores like Checkers, Pick n Pay, Makro, and Game, each vying to outdo the other with earlier and longer promotions.
A MyBroadband survey found that 94% of South Africans plan to start scouting deals early, while 73% prefer retailers who reveal promotions ahead of time. This explains why Makro and Game’s October start is not just smart marketing but a strategic play to capture early buyers and spread out traffic spikes that once overwhelmed online systems.
The 2025 Shopper Mindset
Black Friday in South Africa has become less of a frenzy and more of a financial strategy. Shoppers now track prices over weeks, compare across stores, and use wish lists to plan their purchases. For retailers, the goal is to keep their brands visible throughout November rather than rely on one chaotic weekend.
This year, Black Friday officially falls on 28 November, but Makro and Game’s early rollout has already set the tone. With a growing appetite for convenience, research-driven purchases, and online deals, 2025’s sale season looks set to be one of the busiest yet.
Also read: South Africa’s New Crime Crisis: Foreign Mafias Join Forces with Local Cartels
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Source: Business Tech
Featured Image: TechCentral
