Takealot extends Black Friday sales throughout November

Black Friday is one of the largest shopping periods of the year, but for retailers, ensuring sales is only half the battle. Behind every successful online order is a team of warehouse workers who operate under tight deadlines to accurately and promptly pick, pack, and ship purchases.

As South Africans prepare for Black Friday sales and the holiday shopping season, sellers face a familiar problem: the need to ensure a sufficient number of employees ready to handle a sharp increase in demand.

Simply increasing staff numbers may not be enough. Without proper preparation, planning, and training, even a larger staff may not cope with the pressure of the peak trading season.

Seasonal hiring is often postponed until demand begins to rise, but this approach forces businesses to rush to fill vacancies as orders come in. Recruitment, candidate vetting, training, and assessment processes take time, making early planning critical for retailers who wish to avoid unnecessary delays and customer disappointment.

Black Friday creates intense competition for temporary workers, especially in warehouses and e-commerce fulfillment centers, where companies often need people for picking, packing, inventory processing, and shipping.

When multiple employers hire simultaneously, suitable candidates can be quickly taken. This narrows the pool of available talent, increases salary expectations, and makes it difficult to find workers who meet the operational needs of retailers.

Starting the hiring process well in advance gives companies more time to identify suitable candidates, confirm their availability, complete necessary documentation, and align expectations regarding shifts and duties.

It also provides an opportunity to verify whether new employees are truly ready for the demands of the job before the busiest trading days arrive.

For buyers, a delayed parcel, incorrect order, or out-of-stock item can quickly turn the excitement of a Black Friday bargain into frustration.

Behind these problems may be a warehouse team struggling to meet demand due to insufficient training of temporary workers or their lack of knowledge of the systems and processes they should follow.

Warehouse staff must understand all aspects—from using scanners and inventory management systems to adhering to picking and packing procedures, proper handling of goods, and compliance with occupational health and safety requirements.

Practical assessments also play an important role, helping employers determine if workers can accurately and at the required pace apply the knowledge they have gained.

When workers are hired before they are ready, managers and experienced staff are forced to spend valuable time correcting mistakes, providing additional instruction, and covering unfinished work. Consequences can include incorrect orders, missed shipping deadlines, damaged inventory, product returns, and customer complaints—all against a backdrop of increasing pressure to meet obligations.

The takeaway for retailers is clear: having an available employee does not guarantee that they are ready to do the job.

Retailers can also consider partnering with Temporary Employment Service (TES) providers to prepare for seasonal demand.

Instead of waiting for vacancies to arise, a recruitment partner can work with the retailer to transform forecasted order volumes into a workforce plan. This includes identifying priority roles, planning hiring and training, and ensuring workers are ready to join operational teams when needed.

A recruitment partner can also monitor workforce readiness, identify potential issues before they impact operations, and maintain a reserve pool of workers to manage absences or unexpected surges in demand.

This approach shifts the focus from simply filling vacancies to ensuring the availability of trained and reliable personnel capable of sustaining company operations.

Nevertheless, retailers must still evaluate whether their staffing decisions deliver the required results during the peak trading period, including reliable attendance, accuracy, and consistent performance.

One of the most useful ways to prepare for the holiday rush is by analyzing previous peak trading periods. Retailers can assess where delays occurred, which items were hard to fill, how long it took new employees to become productive, and whether staffing levels matched actual demand.

These insights help businesses develop a more realistic hiring and training schedule, working backward from the date their operations must run at full capacity.

It is crucial that the hiring process allows enough time for onboarding, practical evaluations, and any additional training required before temporary staff are deployed.

As Black Friday approaches, and holiday shopping creates additional pressure on order fulfillment operations, preparation cannot wait until orders start piling up.

For retailers, success is not just about having more people on staff. It is about having the right people, with the appropriate training and support, ready to accurately and consistently fulfill orders during peak demand moments.

For buyers, such preparation can be the deciding factor between a seamless online shopping experience and the frustrating wait for a long-awaited purchase.

Residents of Johannesburg and Pretoria looking for entertainment this coming weekend can choose from numerous options: from air shows and stylish masquerades to live music and musicals featuring ABBA hits. These events are scheduled from Friday, October 30th, to Sunday, November 1st.

G-Force Festival: Ascent into the Sky

Air enthusiasts and families can attend the G-Force Festival at Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria on Saturday, October 31st. The event promises a packed day with aviation demonstrations. Gates open at 8:00 AM, and flights are scheduled from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

This festival is suitable for those who want to replace the usual weekend routine with active outdoor recreation centered around airplanes. Tickets cost 180 R for ages 13 and over, 140 R for pensioners, 100 R for children aged three to twelve, and entry is free for children under two. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketpro.

OFF-WHITE Masquerade: Fashion, Food, and Live Music

If your ideal weekend includes a dress code, fashion exposure, and enjoying good food, the OFF-WHITE Masquerade will take place on Sunday, November 1st, at Pere House. This event combines culinary experiences, fashion shows, and live music, offering a unique way to spend a Sunday.

Chef K will lead the culinary segment, while Malwandle's House will present the fashion element. Performances by The Blk Skies Project and Friends are also scheduled. This is a great choice for those who want an excuse to dress up while enjoying a combination of creative talent and entertainment. The event starts at 12:00 PM at Pere House.

Stogie T Presents Simphiwe Dana: An Evening of Music and Stories

Music lovers should pay attention to the special joint performance by South African rapper Stogie T and Afro-soul award winner Simphiwe Dana on Friday, October 30th. The concert will be held at Thirteen in Braamfontein and will merge two different musical styles: hip-hop lyricism and Dana's soulful sound.

The evening will feature individual performances, followed by the duo performing together, reinterpreting songs and sharing the stories behind the music. Dana is known for compositions such as 'Zandisile' and has received numerous South African music awards for her unique blend of afro-soul and jazz. The show is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM at Thirteen, located at 10 De Beer Street, Braamfontein. Doors open at 6:00 PM, tickets start from 300 R, and the event is age-restricted (no attendees under 18 years old).

Ultimate R&B Experience Tour: Brian McKnight, All-4-One, and SWV

For fans of classic R&B love songs, Pretoria offers the grand Ultimate R&B Experience tour. American R&B stars Brian McKnight, All-4-One, and SWV will perform at SunBet Arena at Time Square on Friday, October 30th, and Saturday, October 31st. Attendees can immerse themselves in a nostalgic journey through the genre's most recognizable hits, including 'Back at One' by McKnight, 'I Swear' by All-4-One, and 'Weak' by SWV.

The concert will be an excellent choice for those who wish to spend the evening enjoying live vocals and beloved old R&B hits. Performances will take place at SunBet Arena, Time Square, Pretoria, on the specified dates. Ticket prices start from 950 R per person and are available through WebTickets.

Mamma Mia!: Sing Along to ABBA Hits

For those seeking a theatrical performance, the musical Mamma Mia! continues to be shown at the Montecasino theatre in Fourways. The play is set on a Greek island where Sophie prepares for her wedding and tries to find out her father's identity by inviting three men from her mother's past. The story unfolds through ABBA songs such as 'Dancing Queen', 'Super Trouper', and 'The Winner Takes It All'.

Whether you are planning a date or meeting friends, the production offers a lively alternative to traditional dinners. The show runs from October 16th to November 29th, 2026, at Teatro, Montecasino, Fourways. Showtimes vary: Friday at 7:30 PM; Saturday at 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM; Sunday at 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Ticket prices range from 250 to 580 R, and Terrific Tuesday tickets are available from 200 to 400 R. Bookings are made through Ticketmaster South Africa, and attendees must be at least three years old.

Weekend Planning

This weekend in Pretoria, you can enjoy an aviation spectacle, a live collaboration in Braamfontein, a glamorous outing on Sunday, and a favorite musical in Fourways. Regardless of your preferences, there is something for everyone. Before attending any events, it is recommended to check ticket availability and event details with the organizers.

Sebrae-SP will promote a free training event focused on sales strategies during Black Friday, which will take place on Thursday, the 29th, at 7 pm, in the city of Santos, located on the coast of the state of São Paulo.

This training is specifically aimed at small entrepreneurs and aims to teach how to create effective Instagram ads, how to attract new customers, and how to convert social media interaction into concrete sales results. Furthermore, the program will include detailed guidance on creating promotional campaigns.

Participation is open to individual microentrepreneurs (MEIs), microenterprises (MEs), and Small Businesses (EPPs) that have an active CNPJ in the Baixada Santista region.

Under the title 'Super Sales - Earn Even More on Black Friday,' the lecture will be given by consultant César Ossamu. He has 15 years of experience at Sebrae-SP, being an advertiser and marketing specialist, accumulating 22 years of experience in the sector. According to the institution itself, César Ossamu has already conducted more than 1,500 lectures.