Online shopping tips for Black Friday 2020
Online stores in South Africa are experiencing a big increase in sales as consumers seem to rather prefer shopping online than going to the usual store due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Figures published by market researcher Nielsen South Africa show that 29% of South African consumers are shopping more online now than before the pandemic (compared to 30% reported in the Consumer Pulse survey), which aligns with Global Shopping Index figures that report a 37% increase in global digital traffic growth.
According to researchers McKinsey & Company, in their recent SA Consumer Sentiment they noted that some 40% of consumers intend to increase their online shopping spend, compared to traditional in-store purchasing.
So for Black Friday, if you intend to do your shopping online, it is best to be prepared so that you are able to get all the things you need.
Here is a list of tips to help you with your Black Friday shopping:
1. Shop online
To shop online would be the safest option not only to protect yourself against the pandemic but you will also be avoiding traffic and the stampedes of people that tend to go to the stores.
It’s just so much easier shopping from the comfort of your own home and you can visit multiple stores at once.
2. Sign up for newsletters
Take advantage of sign-up promotions and stay in the loop with exclusive Black Friday deal alerts.
Guzzle has its own newsletter that you can sign-up to not only get the latest Black Friday deals but also daily deals by your favourite retailer in South Africa.
3. Look out for pre-sales
Retailers, and more specifically popular online shops, are launching Black Friday sales earlier and earlier each year, taking up most of the month.
So get on the bandwagon and save some cash even before the actual Black Friday comes around.
4. Price check before you buy
Research pre-pricing of items and use online price comparison tools as not everything is really the deal it pretends to be.
Guzzle has all the popular retailers on-site, so you can compare weekly and monthly specials right here.
5. Be careful of unknown online stores
If you shop in an online store that's new to you, there are things to keep in mind.
Scammers are always looking to make quick cash, so many fraudulent online shops or fake websites tend to pop-up. Always ensure that you have the latest anti-virus or cybersecurity set-up on devices.
6. Secure payment
Any webshop should use secure payments together with Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Swish and/or direct payment from the online bank.
Remember to check your bank account statement or online banking app whenever you do a transaction to ensure that you haven't been double charged.
Written by: Gabriella Steyn.
Guzzle Media
