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.
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
Take a look at South Africa’s best rated shopping malls here.
