The year is 2025, and Black Friday isn’t just for consumers anymore.
What began as a once-a-year retail rush has evolved into a full-scale commercial event spanning both B2C and B2B sectors. According to industry data, 57% of B2B companies now run Black Friday promotions, up from just 15% in 2019 – proof that the appetite for value runs far deeper than household shopping lists.
And as the lines between consumer and business buyer blur, one thing is clear: everyone wants flexibility without the financial hangover.
ALSO READ: The Smart Shopper’s Guide to Black Friday
The New Face of Black Friday
The numbers say it all.
According to Ecentric Payment Systems’ Black Friday Index 2024, the four-day Black Friday to Cyber Monday window saw online transactions jump from 7.9% to 10.3% – a 30.4% increase – while in-store revenue more than doubled to 11.1%.
Black Friday has grown from a day of frantic price-slashing into an entire retail season, where promotions roll out week after week. For brands, that means a longer window to attract customers, but also greater pressure to deliver value without overextending financially.
And for shoppers? It’s an opportunity to buy better – but only if they can do it without the burden of high-interest credit.
A New Generation of Smarter Shoppers
Whether it’s an everyday customer or a procurement manager stocking up for a business, today’s buyers are more informed and financially conscious than ever. They’re planners, not impulse buyers. They want the deal – but not the debt.
That’s where LayUp’s Save Now, Buy Later (SNBL) model comes in.
With LayUp, customers can:
1. Lock in Black Friday prices early — before stocks run out.
2. Pay over time, interest-free — at a pace that suits their budget.
3. Collect their goods once fully paid — no credit checks, no hidden costs, no stress.
It’s smart shopping made simple and sustainable.
Why This Matters for Merchants
For retailers, LayUp offers more than another payment method, it’s a loyalty and retention engine.
By offering flexible, interest-free instalments, merchants can:
- Secure early sales before peak-season chaos begins.
- Increase average order values by giving customers space to plan larger purchases.
- Reduce cart abandonment by removing affordability barriers.
- Build lasting loyalty through transparency and trust.
When customers feel in control of their spending, they come back. In fact, returning customers account for 65% of all eCommerce revenue, underscoring how financial confidence directly fuels retention.
From Transactions to Relationships
Black Friday is no longer about the biggest discount, it’s about the best experience. Retailers who prioritise clarity, communication, and flexibility aren’t just making sales, they’re earning loyalty. They’re the ones turning one-time bargain hunters into lifelong customers.
By empowering shoppers to budget on their terms, LayUp helps merchants build deeper, debt-free relationships that last long after the sales banners come down.
A Smarter Season for Everyone
As we head into another record-breaking Black Friday season, the most innovative brands aren’t asking how much they can sell – they’re asking how responsibly they can help customers buy.
Because when shoppers can plan, save, and spend without debt, everyone wins – from the checkout counter to the bottom line.
ALSO READ: LayUp for Merchants: Powering Growth with Loyalty and Trust
Partner with LayUp
This Black Friday, don’t just compete on price – compete on experience.
With LayUp’s SNBL solution, you can give your customers the flexibility they want, without the debt they don’t.
Offer interest-free instalments. Build loyalty. Drive repeat sales.
Partner with LayUp to future-proof your payment strategy and make this season your smartest one yet. Learn more at layup.co.za.
