Black Friday: A spending spree for shoppers and criminals alike
As South Africans get ready to hit the shops, crooks get ready to hit homes.
Image: File
As South Africans load their trolleys with gadgets, fashion, and home upgrades this festive season, criminals are also loading up – and not their shopping bags.
Data from insurers and crime monitors reveals a chilling trend.
Housebreaking incidents soar by up to 48% in December, with the period between Christmas and New Year posing the greatest risk.
Statistics South Africa’s latest crime survey shows over 1.5 million households fell victim to housebreakings during 2024/25.
Budget Insurance reports that Black Friday alone sees claims rise by 8% on average each year.
Smartphones, TVs, gaming consoles, PCs, dishwashers, air fryers, coffee machines, headphones, smart wearables, clothing – if it’s valuable, it’s at risk.
South Africa’s first formal Black Friday Index, conducted by Ecentric Payment Solutions and World Wide Worx, confirms just how massive the spending frenzy has become.
Total transactions via Ecentric surged 30.4% over the Black Friday weekend last year.
In-store revenue more than doubled from 5.3% to 11.1% of total holiday sales.
IOL research predicts that this year’s Black Friday spend could hit between R146 billion and R153 billion.
Anchor Capital economist Casey Sprake says high-income earners will drive big-ticket purchases in electronics, appliances, premium fashion, and home upgrades.
This will make homes even juicier targets for thieves.
“South African consumers and businesses need to remain vigilant. Theft is the real unseen cost of Black Friday – never mind the supposed sales that are merely window dressing,” warns Tando Ngibe, senior manager at Budget Insurance.
With billions spent, growing foot traffic in stores, and expensive items piling up in homes, the festive season may deliver joy to shoppers — but it’s also delivering a sharp rise in claims and break-ins. For those who think a bargain is the only risk, think again: Black Friday comes with a hidden, expensive, and criminally savvy price tag.
IOL BUSINESS