The American consumer custom of slashing prices on the last Friday of November is in full swing in East London today, with many of the major retailers gearing themselves up for a pre-Christmas shopping frenzy.
Stores are offering one-day bargains on many everyday items like washing powder, fruit juice and dog food, as well as cut-price deals on luxury goods like TV sets, cellphones and patio sets.
Vincent Park centre manager Joseph Parsley said while he was not expecting a stampede or jammed parking lots at the mall, the one-day sale would attract “busier activity”.
“We don’t expect maximum capacity.
“We will be alert though, and have adequate protocols in place if the parking becomes gridlocked.”
Parsley described Black Friday as “a fantastic marketing ploy”.
“This is to grab the money just after many people have been paid and before they realise they have less money in their pocket due to the interest rate hike.
“The supermarkets are taking each other on.
“People should come early, because stores may be out of stock by lunchtime.”
Hemingways Mall general manager Janice Coopoosamy said 13 of their stores were going “all out” in the Black Friday sale this year.
Describing the campaign as a “global sales phenomenon”, Coopoosamy said she expected a huge surge in shoppers wanting to make the most of massive discounts.
At BT Ngebs City in Mthatha, general manager Lolo Sabisa said he was expecting “a huge influx” at the mall’s three stores, which are all holding Black Friday sales.
“They want to take the opportunity to maximise their sales revenue and link it with festive euphoria.”
Black Friday originated in America, where the day after its national holiday known as Thanksgiving has become a fully-fledged buying frenzy.
It has become the busiest shopping day of the year.
In the US, some retailers now open at midnight.
The most zealous shoppers have even taken to camping outside stores to peg the best position in the queues.
In South Africa, Shoprite Checkers is credited with importing the idea to the local retail environment last year.
More stores are likely to buy into the concept in years to come.
“Last year we served more than one million customers on Black Friday,” said the retail giant's marketing director Neil Schreuder. “This year we have even more deals on offer.”
Toys-R-Us national marketing head Nicole Annells said the South African arm of the company was joining the Black Friday campaign for the first time this year.
“It will kick off our Christmas season. We have some incredible specials.”
And then, for those of us who have no need to rely on bargains to make ends meet, national chainstore Makro is selling a curved 3D television set for a cool R1.2-million.
Makro Port Elizabeth general manager Dees Gopaul said the TV was on display only at the chain’s flagship store in Sandton.
“We have had a few interested clients since it went into our catalogue in mid-November, but no sales yet,” he said. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Spend frenzy hits malls
Stores are offering one-day bargains on many everyday items like washing powder, fruit juice and dog food, as well as cut-price deals on luxury goods like TV sets, cellphones and patio sets.
Vincent Park centre manager Joseph Parsley said while he was not expecting a stampede or jammed parking lots at the mall, the one-day sale would attract “busier activity”.
“We don’t expect maximum capacity.
“We will be alert though, and have adequate protocols in place if the parking becomes gridlocked.”
Parsley described Black Friday as “a fantastic marketing ploy”.
“This is to grab the money just after many people have been paid and before they realise they have less money in their pocket due to the interest rate hike.
“The supermarkets are taking each other on.
“People should come early, because stores may be out of stock by lunchtime.”
Hemingways Mall general manager Janice Coopoosamy said 13 of their stores were going “all out” in the Black Friday sale this year.
Describing the campaign as a “global sales phenomenon”, Coopoosamy said she expected a huge surge in shoppers wanting to make the most of massive discounts.
At BT Ngebs City in Mthatha, general manager Lolo Sabisa said he was expecting “a huge influx” at the mall’s three stores, which are all holding Black Friday sales.
“They want to take the opportunity to maximise their sales revenue and link it with festive euphoria.”
Black Friday originated in America, where the day after its national holiday known as Thanksgiving has become a fully-fledged buying frenzy.
It has become the busiest shopping day of the year.
In the US, some retailers now open at midnight.
The most zealous shoppers have even taken to camping outside stores to peg the best position in the queues.
In South Africa, Shoprite Checkers is credited with importing the idea to the local retail environment last year.
More stores are likely to buy into the concept in years to come.
“Last year we served more than one million customers on Black Friday,” said the retail giant's marketing director Neil Schreuder. “This year we have even more deals on offer.”
Toys-R-Us national marketing head Nicole Annells said the South African arm of the company was joining the Black Friday campaign for the first time this year.
“It will kick off our Christmas season. We have some incredible specials.”
And then, for those of us who have no need to rely on bargains to make ends meet, national chainstore Makro is selling a curved 3D television set for a cool R1.2-million.
Makro Port Elizabeth general manager Dees Gopaul said the TV was on display only at the chain’s flagship store in Sandton.
“We have had a few interested clients since it went into our catalogue in mid-November, but no sales yet,” he said. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
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