Black Friday: Shoppers queue at 4am

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Black Friday in Graaff-Reinet saw an estimated 20% more people shopping than during last year's Black Friday.

Some locals secured their spot in the long queues outside shops as early as 4am. Although these stores tried to keep their doors closed for the big rush until 6am, shops such as Shoprite and Pick n Pay had to open their doors to bargain hunters before 6am, to prevent their doors from being broken down.

Pick n Pay's stock of televisions sold out within 15 minutes. Consumers also snatched up coffee, sugar, milk, cream, cheese and chicken.

According to store owner Cheryl Waddelow, she had to order more televisions that same morning. She told the Advertiser that, when the store closed at 7pm, 3,500 trolleys had passed its pay-points.

Spandau and Camdeboo Spar@Tops co-owner, Frikkie Coetzee, said their Black Friday was also incredibly busy. "It's incredible, but we prepared ourselves for this year."

Spandau Spar saw 3,470 shoppers on Friday, while their Tops outlet saw 905 people stock up on alcohol.

According to Coetzee, their Black Friday was nearly as busy as Christmas Eve. He said the people bought more food this year, but the alcoholic beverages at Tops weren't left behind.

Last year, shoppers across South Africa spent close to R3 billion on Black Friday. This year's figures are not yet available.

At 11am I was at Shoprite. The long queues do not bother me. I will be back next year.