Black November 2026: How Stretched Households and Shifting Payment Trends Are Redefining Festive Spending
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With high interest rates and elevated fuel prices continuing to squeeze disposable incomes, South African households are approaching Black November with renewed caution and deliberate intent.
We sit down with Pascalle Albrecht, Executive for Payment Solutions at Absa Business Banking to break down what the numbers really reveal about consumer behavior. From flat transaction volumes and rising basket sizes to the sharp divergence between in-store buys (averaging R454) and digital purchases (averaging R754), we explore how shoppers are prioritizing essential value over impulsive spending. Plus, we look at merchant readiness, rising cyber fraud threats, and what these trends signal for household balance sheets heading into the new year.
We sit down with Pascalle Albrecht, Executive for Payment Solutions at Absa Business Banking to break down what the numbers really reveal about consumer behavior. From flat transaction volumes and rising basket sizes to the sharp divergence between in-store buys (averaging R454) and digital purchases (averaging R754), we explore how shoppers are prioritizing essential value over impulsive spending. Plus, we look at merchant readiness, rising cyber fraud threats, and what these trends signal for household balance sheets heading into the new year.
