BLACK FRIDAY: Zombie Apocalypse hits SA
The clever folks have all done their shopping already... in the weeks before. They sit back and watch the zombies storm the gates...
It’s an American thing, but quickly catching on in South Africa.
Though most South Africans are unaware of the term, they still experience it every year before Christmas: shops and retailers advertising super specials and lower prices on virtually all goods. And only while stocks last… which won’t be very long. Not with the mass hysteria generated.
Shoppers line up outside stores in hordes waiting for the doors to open, so they can stampede in to buy goods at special prices before they miss out. The key to making a profit here lies in the quantities sold, as opposed to profit margins on individual products.
See what locals had to say about it in Tzaneen, Limpopo:
The obvious drawback is the hysterical spending sprees that shoppers invariably fall into. Everyone wants to spend and save. Sometimes the spending part get’s out of hand… a chain reaction of purchases at special prices with the clock ticking…? Who could resist?
The specials are geared towards Christmas gifts.
In a sense, we have our Black Friday stretched over a period of weeks leading up to Christmas. It’s easy to spot the dawn of a Black Friday in South Africa… simply pay attention to how early the decorations go up in the mall. It get’s earlier every year… this year I noticed a few in October already.
That’s when the ideas are planted. And that suspenseful wait for that kitchen appliance or power tool you’ve been eyeing ensues.
Time goes by. Christmas looms closer… prices seem to drop. Then comes the call to action – “while stocks last”.
And then… the stampede.
The clever folks have all done their shopping already… in the weeks before. They sit back and watch the zombies storm the gates. And after Christmas comes January… a dry month… a month of empty accounts. And ironically, more specials…
We should be like the clever folks.
Ask yourself whether you really NEED that new blender… the stereo… or the apocalypse-bunker supply of bulk breakfast cereals.
Also read:Â
6 Black Friday Online Shopping Tips
7 Survival Tips for Black Friday
