The feature allows users to buy digital gift cards valued between $10 and $500, giving recipients a simple way to shop from the app’s growing catalogue. 

Cards are sent by email and can only be redeemed by users with a TikTok account. Once claimed, the value is added straight to the recipient’s TikTok balance, ready to spend.

TikTok Shop is working to prove it can move beyond impulse buys and creator-led sales into mainstream online retail. In adding gift cards, it is stepping directly into territory long dominated by Amazon and eBay, where gifting is a huge driver of repeat spending.

What stands out is how social the process is designed to be. Buyers can choose from animated designs built for birthdays, weddings, thank-you messages and other occasions. Recipients can reply with a note of thanks or send a gift card back. TikTok says this is only the start.

A spokesperson said future updates will enhance personalisation, including the option to attach recorded or uploaded video messages. The company also pointed to an “interactive unboxing that captures their reaction in real-time,” though details were not disclosed.

For now, the TikTok Shop digital gift cards are only available for purchase in the U.S., with no timeline announced for other markets.

The rollout follows a strong showing during the 2025 Black Friday and Cyber Monday period, when TikTok Shop recorded more than $500 million in U.S. sales over four days. 

That figure represents almost 50% growth compared with the same period in 2024. Brands such as Disney and Samsung took part in the holiday push, a sign that TikTok Shop is attracting more established retailers, not just small merchants and influencers.

At the same time, the platform is widening its product mix. Alongside everyday goods, TikTok Shop has moved into luxury fashion and resale items, a clear attempt to increase average order values and appeal to older, wealthier shoppers.

Yet all of this growth sits under a cloud of uncertainty. TikTok’s U.S. operations are being restructured into a new entity, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, which will be majority owned by American investors including Oracle, Silver Lake and UAE-based MGX. 

ByteDance is expected to retain roughly 20% ownership, while U.S. partners take control of data security and oversight of the algorithm.

The deal must close by January 22, 2026, to comply with U.S. law. If it fails, TikTok faces a nationwide ban, a scenario that would put TikTok Shop’s U.S. vision at risk just as they begin to gain traction.

This year, it falls on December 1, and if you’re in Nigeria and eyeing new tech, this is the one period you should pay attention.

It’s probably the best shot you’ll get all year to snag high-end gadgets without emptying your wallet.

Unlike Black Friday, which was originally about queues at physical stores, Cyber Monday was designed for online shoppers from day one. That makes it especially useful for Nigerians who depend heavily on international retailers and local e-commerce platforms.

Expect discounts as high as 50% on smartphones, gaming laptops, smart home gear, wearables, and accessories.

And these days, Cyber Monday rarely lasts just one day. Most stores stretch deals into “Cyber Week,” giving shoppers more breathing room to compare prices and avoid the pressure of one-day flash sales.

Top​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Categories With the Best Discounts

Understanding what product categories get the highest discounts enables buyers to plan their purchases and allocate their budget more efficiently. Based on recent market trends and what the retailers are saying, four categories offer the greatest value during Cyber Monday 2025.

1. Smartphones and Tablets

This is the category most likely to see the deepest discounts. Distributors typically clear inventory before December and early-year model refreshes, so last year’s flagship devices get substantial price drops.

Premium smartphones may see 15%–35% off, while mid-range models often get even bigger cuts. Students and professionals looking to upgrade should keep an eye on these deals.

2. Laptops and Gaming Gear

Laptop brands like Dell, HP, Lenovo, and ASUS will compete aggressively, which translates into strong discounts for consumers.

Gaming laptops featuring new RTX 5060 and RTX 5070 GPUs are expected to drop by up to $200, while productivity laptops, ultrabooks and business machines, will also get meaningful price cuts.

3. Smart Home Devices

More Nigerian households are embracing home automation, and Cyber Monday is the perfect moment to buy smart gadgets affordably.
Expect 20%–50% discounts on:

• Smart speakers
• Security cameras
• Video doorbells
• Smart lighting
• Smart thermostats

Strong competition between Amazon Echo, Google Nest, TP-Link, and Chinese manufacturers usually drives these price drops.

4. Wearables and Accessories

Smartwatches from Samsung, Apple, Garmin, and Amazfit often get major cuts during Cyber Monday. Fitness trackers, wireless earbuds, chargers, and protective cases also come heavily discounted, especially because they double as holiday gifts.

Best Gadget Deals to Expect

Beyond categories, here are the specific patterns Nigerian shoppers should watch:

Apple Deals

Apple rarely offers discounts, but this year things look different. The MacBook Air M4, originally $999, has already dropped to $749, a solid 25% cut.

Samsung Deals

Samsung will be one of the biggest brands to watch:

• Galaxy S25 Ultra: up to 50% off, cutting prices by as much as $350
• Galaxy Z Flip7: around 40% off, pushing it below the $1,000 mark
• Galaxy A36 5G: expected $100 discount for buyers seeking value

Laptop Deals

HP, Dell, and Lenovo will offer strong discounts, especially on gaming models. The Alienware 16 Aurora may drop by as much as 33%.

Bundles and Flash Sales

Cyber Monday is known for:

• Bundles, e.g., buy a gaming laptop and get a free keyboard + mouse worth $100–$150
• Flash sales, short windows with extremely steep discounts (40%–60%) on smartwatches, earbuds, portable speakers, etc.

Trends From Last Year

These offer clues for 2025:

• RTX 5060 gaming laptops were as low as $900–$1,100
• Ring + Arlo cameras: 30%–45% off
• Robot vacuums: up to 65% off
• Sony/Bose premium headphones: $100–$200 off

Conclusion

When​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ evaluating deals, it is important to look beyond the discount percentage and consider the total cost of ownership. A laptop discounted by 40% isn’t truly a bargain if it needs expensive extra accessories. A cheap smartwatch may become pricey if key features require paid subscriptions.

With the right preparation, patience, and awareness of genuine versus misleading deals, Cyber Monday 2025 can become an opportunity to get quality tech at excellent prices, not just another overwhelming shopping event.

• Black Friday to Cyber Monday remains the most powerful retail window of the year
• As a share of total holiday transactions, total transactions from Black Friday weekend surged 30.4%, equating to the few days making up 10.3% of the total holiday period transactions
• e-Commerce still leads the charge
• In-store commerce is making a comeback. In-store revenue as a proportion of total revenue saw a 109.4% surge, doubling from 5.3% to 11.1% of total holiday revenue
• Omnichannel and data-led strategies set leaders apart

As the country waits with bated breath to see what the cabinet settles on for a national budget, which will have a big impact on the economic mood of the country, consumer confidence and investor sentiment, retailers are already planning for a bumper 2025 Black Friday and holiday season.

Black Friday, by its very nature, generates hype in the media and among retailers. However, a new index proves it is not hollow hype.

South Africa’s first formal Black Friday Index reveals that Black Friday to Cyber Monday remains the most powerful retail window of the year, according to World Wide Worx and Ecentric Payment Systems.

The index shows unequivocally that compared to the full holiday period from the beginning of November to Christmas Eve, Black Friday to Cyber Monday remains the clear peak shopping window, with significantly higher transaction and revenue growth than the rest of the season.

The Ecentric 2024 Black Friday Index, which was conducted in a partnership between Ecentric Payment Solutions and World Wide Worx, is based on analysis of data from retail transactions flowing through the Ecentric payment gateway. Payment data analysed excludes that of the grocery sector. Ecentric processes 20% of South Africa’s card transactions and serves as a trusted payments partner to 65% of JSE-listed retailers – serving their in-store, online, mobile and omnichannel payments requirements.

The index was compiled by independent technology research house World Wide Worx. It measures transaction volume and value generated from Black Friday to Cyber Monday, as a proportion of total holiday retail.

As a share of total holiday sales, online transactions for the Black Friday to Cyber Monday period, as a proportion of total transactions surged by 30.4%, rising from 7.9% to 10.3% of total holiday sales. Online revenue as a proportion climbed by 23.8%, increasing from 10.1% to 12.5% of total holiday revenue. In-store transactions as a proportion of total transactions grew by 15.4%, rising from 9.1% to 10.5% of holiday sales. In-store revenue as a proportion of total revenue saw a 109.4% surge, doubling from 5.3% to 11.1% of total holiday revenue.

Rory Bosman, Ecentric’s chief sales & marketing officer says the findings are good news for retailers as they provide telling insights that can prepare retailers to make the most of the critical retail period.

“The index makes it clear that the Black Friday weekend stands out from the full holiday shopping period, which runs from the beginning of November to Christmas Eve, in both sales volume and growth. The latest data confirms that retailers who capitalised on this peak moment saw the biggest gains, with online and in-store revenue outperforming the rest of the holiday season,” he says.

Of particular interest, is how dramatically the holiday shopping period is shifting. While in 2023 the Black Friday to Cyber Monday period reflected a small upward bump in transaction volume, the biggest shopping days came a week later.

“This is different in 2024,” says Bosman. “The Black Friday to Cyber Monday period saw a massive leap in transaction volume, compared to a slightly above-average level a week later.”

Key insights to capitalise on Black Friday in 2025 and beyond 

Bosman says there are a number of important lessons for retailers. The first is that e-commerce is more important than ever.

“Retailers seeking to make the most of Black Friday need to prioritise seamless digital experiences and mobile optimisation and exclusive deals,” he says.

Importantly, the 2024 Black Friday index proved that in-store retail is enjoying a strong revival. Bosman says that the retailers who benefit the most will be those that invest in immersive experiences such as interactive shopping, festive atmospheres and high-value promotions to attract shoppers.

He says consumers demonstrated they respond well to positive in-store experiences. Technology such as augmented and virtual reality could play a pivotal role here.

Omnichannel integration is non-negotiable, he says.

“The insights gained from the index tell us that online and in-store integration must be seamless, from inventory to promotions. The retailers that do the best are those that blend online and in-store efforts with consistent messaging, and, importantly, seamless experiences.”

Bosman says that data-driven personalisation holds immense potential for retailers seeking to set themselves apart from their competition. “AI-powered recommendations and targeted deals will set leaders apart. It is vital, in 2025 and beyond, that retailers use data for targeted promotions and flexible fulfillment options.”

Get all the insights by downloading the full report. 

A recent Sophos report highlights that malicious emails were the second most common root cause of ransomware attacks in critical sectors, responsible for 25% of cases.

During peak shopping days, this threat intensifies.

Here’s what happens: with the surge in online deals, more employees may be shopping from their work computers, feeling that Cyber Monday is a legitimate time to do so.

This increases the risk of them clicking more freely and potentially exposing the organization to malicious links or phishing attacks.

To keep your organization safe, encourage your team to follow these simple tips by Sophos:

1. Use an ad blocker –

Advertisements are not only tracking your every movement and collecting enough information on your habits to make the FBI blush, but they are also a major source of malicious links and deceptive content on the internet. Not only is your browsing safer, but also faster and uses less bandwidth. Two of our favorites are uBlock Origin and Ghostery.

2• Use private browsing or incognito mode –

To prevent your shopping habits and interests from following you around from site to site (and potentially revealing what gifts you might be purchasing to others using your device, bonus!), you should enable private browsing (Firefox) or incognito mode (Chrome).

This will block tracking cookies and help the internet forget your travels as the waves wash away your footprints in the sand.

3• Make your browser “privacy smart” –

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) provides a browser extension called Privacy Badger designed to automatically make all the right choices around browsing whilst maintaining our privacy and blocking invisible trackers.

4• Avoid using one account on multiple services –

When logging into an e-commerce site it is often tempting to use the “Sign in with Facebook” or “Sign in with Google” button. While it takes a few more minutes to create a new login, it will provide more privacy as you are not sharing all of the sites you shop at with these tech giants.

5• Use guest login when available –

In addition to letting you use an account from other websites, many have an option to use a guest login rather than creating a new account. This is a great option if you don’t expect to need technical support or to do business on a recurring basis. Fewer passwords, fewer personal details, fewer problems if they get hacked.

6• Don’t save card details –

Many e-commerce sites will default to storing your credit card information in your profile for your “convenience” (or their hope you’ll shop there again). They can’t lose what they don’t have, so tell them not to store your credit card unless it is absolutely necessary.

7• Use temporary card numbers –

Many financial institutions now offer temporary or one-time use credit card numbers. You can open the app on your phone or in your browser and get a single-use disposable credit card number preventing card fraud and tracking when merchants share card processors. Sometimes you’re even able to specify a card limit per temporary number to further protect your account.

8• Use credit, not debit –

All of us need to be wary of overspending during the holidays, but it is best to leave the debit card at home. Credit cards offer significantly more protection against online fraud, and you are in the power position in a dispute. You can simply not pay your bill while disputing the charge, rather than having criminals directly drain your bank account of your hard-earned cash.

9• Beware of direct messages via social media/chat apps –

With modern generative AI technology it is almost trivial to create an entire fake online store and lure people to share their personal information and payment data with you. It’s safest to shop at established sites or those personally recommended to you by friends and family. Many unsolicited messages lead to data collection or theft.

10• Don’t click deals in email that look too good to be true or are from businesses you don’t have accounts from – these could be phishing emails hoping to bait you into clicking links to bogus, malicious web sites.

This season, small steps can make a big difference in protecting against cyber threats during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

At the same time, says Wesley Fetter, Product Manager at Ecentric, consumers went for everyday items instead of luxuries, indicating that they had been waiting for deals on daily needs and, perhaps, stocking up on non-perishable goods.

“The rand value on average over the extended Black Friday period was – in real terms that strips out inflation – behind the past few years. This shows the pressure consumers are under,” says Fetter.

Companies that use Ecentric’s payment dashboard to monitor sales, which includes South Africa’s largest retailers, processed more than R1.1 billion in deals. However, there was a 5.06% decline in transaction volume, and, in real terms, value dropped 12%.

“We saw retailers start offering sale prices ahead of the traditional 24 November date,” says Fetter, “which also led to a shift in trends when it comes to peak days”.

Online and retail sales both peaked on November 25, the day after Black Friday. This is an indication that people wanted to avoid the queues that are typical of Black Friday.

Statistics South Africa’s latest retail data print, published in mid-October, indicates that sales in consumer-facing goods declined 0.5% year-on-year in August.

However, this is not as much as expected, based on a Bloomberg survey indicating a consensus of a 1.2% slump predicted by economists.

“While we wait for StatsSA to publish the next set of figures for October on 13 December 2023, the best window we currently have on how consumers are faring in this high interest rate environment is data from one of the biggest sale periods of the year,” says Fetter.

Just more than two thirds of our gross domestic product is made up by consumer spending.

Shifting online

2023’s shopping trends also saw a marked shift towards online shopping. In fact, consumers not only used virtual shops to price check, but also preferred to buy big ticket items online. “This is likely an indication of South Africa’s ecommerce growth,” says Fetter.

According to World Wide Worx, in its latest report on online sales, “Online Retail in South Africa 2022,” conducted by it in association with Mastercard, ecommerce growth in 2022, at 30%, took the value of the market to R55 billion.

This, the report says, is indicative of the post-COVID-19 change in shopping habits, with people sticking to the trend of buying goods that are delivered to their door. Andrew Wilmot, Customer Experience Executive at Ecentric, notes that there was more online growth between 2021 and 2022 than this year.

Ahead of next year, retailers need to focus on offering more deals as South Africa continues to battle to right the economy in the face of daily loadshedding, says Wilmot.

“Whichever way you look at it, South Africans are battling and want more value for their money,” concludes Wilmot.

[Featured Image Credit]

As retailers geared up for one of the top retail weekends in South Africa, they need to ensure that they have real-time access to their sales data.

With the economic slump that South Africa is going through – slow growth and high interest rates – it is highly likely that this year’s November sale will be a bumper month as Black Friday and Cyber Monday are days that span the 11th month of the year, sometimes even creeping into October.

However, items that can be expected in shopping trolleys are not likely to be luxuries, but rather products that consumers have been holding off on buying, says Wesley Fetter, Product Manager at Ecentric Payment Systems.

Ecentric’s Cyber Monday dashboard offers insightful analytical data in real time transactions across online and in-store channels, allowing retailers to be agile when it comes to determining trends at any given time.

Ecentric processes over 20% of South Africa’s card transactions and serves as a trusted payments partner to 65% of the JSE-listed retailers, which allows it to collect a representative amount of anonymous data and share key insights.

“The week around 24 November 2023, as well as Cyber Monday, which kicks off on 27 November, shows some interesting statistics and trends”, says Fetter. “We’ll be able to provide everyone with a holistic understanding of South Africans’ shopping behaviour, and this is what sets us apart.”

The total transaction volume for Black Friday 2023 was 1,691,556 transactions, with a total transaction value of R 828,665,255.00 at 4pm on Friday, across online and in-store channels. Notably, the largest transaction value for Black Friday this year was R 209,662.00, with Debit & Credit cards coming out top as the preferred payment channel, including Mastercard, Visa, Diner’s Club, and American Express. Private Label Cards and Instant EFT by Ecentric also joined the top payment methods for Black Friday 2023.

The quickest transaction on 24 November took just 51 milliseconds, while the average transactions per minute were 1,764, with an average of R 490 per transaction.

Given that online sales are growing exponentially, Cyber Monday is also a key focus area for Ecentric, says Fetter. “Online Retail in South Africa 2022”, a study conducted by World Wide Worx with Mastercard, and released towards the end of last year showed that virtual sales grew 30% in 2022, off the back of a 40% gain the previous year. Online sales are now worth R55 billion and growing exponentially.

“While the segment is small in comparison to traditional outlets, its growth pattern is gaining and we expect virtual sales, which had a significant boost through home deliveries thanks to COVID-19, to continue to grow. The rapid increase in home deliveries during the pandemic led to lifestyle changes for many, who now just order in food, groceries, appliances, and other items,” he says.

“People still want to go into stores and have a look around,” says Fetter. “They want to try on clothing, see the physical size of an air fryer, and generally shop around.” South African retailers start offering special deals weeks before the big days, and buying patterns are also important, he says.

Knowing this sort of information is invaluable to merchants and provides a view of the economy as it highlights trends, he concludes.

[Featured Image Credit]

Cyber Monday emerged in 2005 as a continuation of the long weekend shopping starting on Black Friday. Black Friday, named after Thanksgiving, was initially intended for sales and shopping in physical stores, and ‘Cyber Monday’ for the same, but for online stores and ecommerce platforms.

According to a new report by Adobe Analytics, Cyber Monday in the US is expected to remain the year’s biggest shopping day, driving an impressive $11.2billion in spending in the US, increasing 5.1% over last year, versus just 1% growth for Black Friday sales.

Nowadays both dates are practically the same and have no differentiation, not only in terms of purchases and figures, but also in the cyberattacks they receive, and which are related to these ‘shopping’ days.

Absa’s Card Data Analysis Black Friday 2021 report shows that even though Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales in South Africa last year showed an increase of between 15% and 30% when compared to 2020, this was attributed to more people buying instead of individuals spending more.

However, with last year’s supply chain issues resolved, it is expected that Cyber Monday sales and participation will increase exponentially as shoppers flock online to look for deals; online retail stores have already started advertising for Cyber Monday deals, weeks ahead of the actual day on November 28th.

“More online shopping activities over this period means that there are more opportunities for cybercrimes to take place. We can expect an array of shopping-related scams where consumers will not get what they paid for, as well as identity theft, and bank fraud. It is important to recognise the warning signs and take immediate action if local shoppers are to protect themselves and their loved ones,” says Charnie-Lee Adams-Kruger, Country Manager for Southern Africa at Check Point.

Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), a leading provider specialising in cybersecurity worldwide, wants to raise awareness among potential shoppers to be cautious with their Cyber Monday purchases as they ‘stroll online’ for such amazing deals.

For example, South African e-tailer Takealot published a warning last year about fraudulent online scams targeting unsuspecting consumers when it comes to special prices during the Black Friday period.

This year will likely be no different. Another example can be found in the most recent data from Check Point Software referring to Amazon Prime Day. We can see how both the number of pages related to the term ‘amazon’ and phishing attacks using this company as an excuse increased.

Almost 1,900 Amazon-related Web pages were created and 10% of them were fraudulent. Without going any further, last year, in the days leading up to Black Friday, there was a 178% increase in malicious Web stores globally.

And it is not just Web sites that you have to watch out for, phishing is also a big player these days. Recently, Check Point Software published a report on malware in Q3 that reflects how transport and package courier companies are used to impersonate identities and carry out phishing attacks, and where DHL ranks first.

This has a close relationship with Cyber Monday, as many of the purchases are made online and delivered with parcel companies, making it more likely that people will ‘bite’ on a scam.

In order for people to take the necessary precautions when buying their favourite products, Check Point Software would like to provide a series of tips to stay safe whilst participating in this season of shopping and as you start to put favoured purchases in your Cyber Monday shopping carts:

1. Always buy from an authentic and reliable source: the ideal is to look for the link in the search engine that we use for the store from which we want to purchase the product. Clicking on a link sent to potential shoppers by email without knowing its origin could potentially be dangerous.
2. Be alert to similar domains: it is very important to pay attention to the links and domains of the Web pages we enter. Misspellings or misspelled names are a sign of which pages are the originals and which have been created to try to attack users who enter.
3. Offers that seem too good to be true will, in fact, always be too good to actually be true: check several sites to see if the offer is real or not. An unusual discount on a highly demanded product could be a clear indicator that it is a scam.
4. Always look for the padlock: Web sites that have the HTTPS instead of HHTP are the secure and authentic sites. In addition, they will have a padlock in front of them to distinguish them from the others. We should only enter these since they are the ones that comply with international security standards.
5. Have security solutions for endpoints: you should also have such security solutions for your e-mail. With this measure many cyberattacks and information leaks can be prevented.
6. Always be on the lookout for password reset emails: especially when the volume of online traffic is at its peak, such as on Cyber Monday. If you receive an uninvited password reset email, always visit the Web site directly (do not click on the links) and change your password.

“Cyber Monday is a great opportunity for many people to get services and products they need at a great discount, although they should also be on the alert to cyber scams, phishing and specially discounted offers”, says Charnie-Lee Adams-Kruger, Country Manager for Southern Africa at Check Point Software. “In this type of online offer these days, many cybercriminals try to impersonate companies involved in such specials, such as delivery companies or stores. You need to continue to practise vigilance so as not to fall for the scams online, even as you enjoy shopping.”