Research commissioned by Capital Connect shows good retail sales recovery compared to 2020.
South African retailers are expected to ring up around R11.3 billion rand in additional sales over the period of November as consumers splash out on Black Friday deals, with general dealers expected to capture a 55% (R6.2 billion) share of the value. That’s according to new research conducted by the Bureau of Market Research on behalf of Capital Connect, the Fintech business funding division of The Connect Group.
Additional November retail sales due to Black Friday are forecast to be significantly below the R15.4 billion generated in 2019, but also representing a strong recovery from the R10.3 billion over November 2020. The research shows that Black Friday sales and promotions will generate a further R8.2 billion in wholesale impact, translating into a total retail and wholesale impact of R19.5 billion.
Retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather are expected to ring up nearly R2.8 billion in additional sales, while retailers in hardware, paint and glass are forecast to generate around R973 million in extra value. Household furniture, appliance and equipment retailers are also forecast to generate close to R904 million in additional sales.
“Since South African retailers embraced the Black Friday concept in 2014, we have seen sharp rises in retail sales each November, pandemic disruption aside. It’s a golden opportunity for retailers to boost their sales and profits,” says Steven Heilbron, CEO of the Connect Group and spokesperson for Capital Connect. “Forward-thinking retailers have stocked up and enhanced their in-store shopping experiences in anticipation of the Black Friday weekend.”
Black Friday gets longer every year
Aligned with the trends seen in 2019 and 2020, we can expect to see Black Friday promotions continue to stretch out longer than in previous years, with sales expected to run from 2 November to 5 December this year. The Bureau forecasts that in-store, hybrid (multi-channel) and omni-channel retail will win around 84% of sales, while online-only retailers will capture about 16% of Black Friday-related sales over November.
“This Black Friday and Festive Season retail trading period will see a global resurgence in in-store shopping as stores aim to attract lockdown-fatigued consumers with experiential shopping offerings that entertain and educate. The stores that offer the most compelling shopping experiences will be big winners as consumers get out and about while their vaccine immunity is strong and COVID rates are low,” adds Heilbron.
“Another unfolding trend is a shift towards ‘always-on,’ omni-channel experiences. Retailers will be looking at how they can drive foot-traffic into their stores via social media and ecommerce. Even online-only stores are starting to bring pop-up shops or full branches to shopping malls to adapt to changing consumer behaviour.”
Back into the malls
Carel van Aardt, Professor and Research Director of the Bureau of Market Research, says spending will be driven by the middle and affluent markets buying luxury goods at discounted prices volume and middle markets buying necessities in bulk, and consumers in the volume, middle and affluent markets purchasing discounted goods as part of their Christmas shopping.
“Excellent in-store experiences with respect to customer service, value for money, variety, in-store availability of goods, shopper-tainment, strong brand and friendly staff are critical for good sales,” he adds. “As lockdown levels soften, consumers are moving back to in-store buying. Even during the harder lockdowns, the biggest ecommerce winners were omni-channel store-based brands.”
Heilbron adds: “Black Friday is a great opportunity to boost sales, but proactive retailers see every day as a chance to grow their business and move it to the next level. In the Next Normal, leading retailers are constantly looking for ways to improve in-store shopping experiences, save with bulk buys at discounted rates, diversify their offering or increase sales/turnover.
“Fintech solutions like Capital Connect give retailers access to hassle-free business funding in 24 hours to ensure that they don’t lose out. There are many ways for retailers to grow their business and the capital is available. It’s in the retailers’ hands to grow, innovate and thrive by taking advantage of the opportunities in the market.”
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