Absa reports steady growth in Black Friday 2025 transactions

Absa has reported a steady start to Black Friday 2025, recording more than 2% growth in transaction volumes and a 7% increase in values compared to the same period last year. By midday, transactional volumes from Absa cardholders had already surpassed 2024 levels, with card transactions peaking at 441 per second.

The bank says that across its merchant business, including Absa cardholder activity, shoppers have been spreading their spending over a longer period, which has resulted in a marginal reduction in transaction volumes on the day itself. Real-time clearing transactions, which transfer payments from a payer to a beneficiary within 30 seconds, continue to show double the transaction values of point-of-sale activity.

Momentum built early in the morning, and Absa expects volumes to rise further as both in-store and online shopping intensify into the evening. By midday, the highest single purchase had reached R500 000 for a luxury hotel booking on an Absa card, while another transaction of over R1 million was recorded at a car rental company through the bank’s Point of Sale Network, the bank says.

According to the bank, online shopping continues to lead in terms of average transaction value. The average basket size of in-store purchases has grown by 24% to R496, while the average online basket has risen by 25% to R827 year-on-year.

“As anticipated, our data reflects a more cautious yet informed consumer when it comes to spending,” says Andrew Wilmot, executive for payments acceptance at Absa Business Banking.

“Consistent with a trend we’ve observed over the past few years, retailers are increasingly spreading their offers across the entire Black November period. This is reflected in consumer spending behaviour, with shoppers increasingly more discerning and looking for value. While interest rate relief offers some breathing room, consumers remain focused on managing their budgets responsibly as we approach the festive season," he says.

Absa says it remains the largest payments processor on the African continent and is ranked 59th globally for merchant acquiring, according to the latest Nilson Report. In 2024, the bank processed 1.87 billion card transactions.

Christine Wu, interim co-chief executive of Personal and Private Banking at Absa, says, “This Black Friday has also underscored customers’ confidence in shopping online, with basket sizes growing 25% year-on-year. We anticipate Absa card activity to steadily increase as consumers take full advantage of extended sales over the weekend, including once-off specials for Absa Rewards customers.”

Wu adds that the bank is anticipating improved online shopping spend on the back of notable electronic and gadget offers, culminating in Cyber Monday leading online spend.

The steady increase in activity highlights the resilience of Absa’s payment systems. As volumes continue to climb, the bank has urged customers to prioritise safety by limiting large cash withdrawals and instead using debit and credit cards, digital wallets and secure online banking channels. These options, it says, offer greater protection and convenience during one of the busiest spending periods of the year.

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