BLACK FRIDAY REVIEW – How South Africans Shopped in 2025.

Loading player...
Black Friday has evolved and so have South Africa’s spending habits. This week, we dive into Standard Bank’s latest consumer data with Tumelo Ramugondo, Head of Credit, to unpack what changed between Black Friday 2024 and 2025… and what those shifts say about the economy, confidence and priorities.

Standard Bank retail customers showed bigger baskets and bolder swipes with transaction volumes up 6.6% and spending values up 6.8% year-on-year. Credit cards led the charge, climbing 12.2%, reinforcing the return of consumer appetite and access to credit.

From record card swipes including a R864K furniture purchase and R734K international hotel booking to Cyber Monday’s explosive 20% spending surge, the deals weekend extended well beyond a single day. With digital wallets now at 11% of spend value and online transactions almost doubling their share, shoppers are leaning deeper into e-commerce convenience.
1 Dec 2025 12PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Pivot Point: Shaping Africa’s Energy Future

Ndapwilapo Selma Shimutwikeni, Founder and CEO of RichAfrica Consulting, shares insights on transforming Africa’s natural resource potential into sustainable economic growth. We explore investment opportunities in oil and gas, the Orange Basin, Namibia’s energy policy, ESG strategies, and how African countries can better leverage natural resources for long-term development.
12 Mar 1PM 38 min

Standard Bank Group Posts Strong 2025 Results

Standard Bank Group has closed 2025 on a strong note, reporting headline earnings of R49.2 billion and a return on equity of 19.3%, hitting the top end of its ROE target range. CEO Simpiwe “Sim” Tshabalala joins us to unpack the drivers behind the bank’s performance, including growth in digital…
12 Mar 1PM 11 min

South Africa’s Mining Sector Off to a Strong Start

Stats SA reports a 4.6% rise in mining output and a 31.7% jump in mineral sales year-on-year for January. Mining analyst Peter Major breaks down which minerals are driving growth, whether gains are linked to prices or volumes, and what these trends mean for investors and the South African economy.
12 Mar 1PM 11 min

INSIDE YOUR POCKET: Retirement Under Pressure: Rising Debt Among Older South Africans

As South Africa’s population ages, more seniors are turning to credit to cover everyday expenses. Andrew Fulton, Director at Eighty20, explores the financial realities for “Humble Elders” and “Comfortable Retirees,” why defaults among seniors are rising, and what this means for families, policymakers, and the broader economy.
12 Mar 1PM 13 min

Sanlam Delivers Strong 2025 Results and Pan-African Expansion

South Africa’s leading financial services group, Sanlam, achieved record new business of R496 billion, with net client cash flows more than doubling. CFO Abigail Mukhuba discusses the group’s operational performance, Pan-African growth strategy, strategic acquisitions like Assupol and Shriram Finance, the launch of the ZARU stablecoin, and how the company…
12 Mar 1PM 11 min