When are supplements cheapest on Takealot and Black Friday?

When is Black Friday 2026?

Black Friday 2026 is on 27 November, the day after US Thanksgiving. Many South African retailers, Takealot and Dis-Chem among them, run promotions across the month, often under "Black November" banners. Confirm exact dates and categories on the retailer's own site, because they change each year.

When are supplements cheapest?

We did not track historical daily Takealot prices, so we cannot name a single cheapest day. What our October 2026 research shows is that big discounts already exist outside Black Friday:

• NPL Creatine Monohydrate 500 g listed from R299 (a sale price at Takealot) up to R539.99 at Dis-Chem: R2.99 versus R5.40 per 5 g.
• Undated PriceCheck snapshots showed Takealot listing several ATP Fitness products below the brand's own shop, for example unflavoured isolate at R699 versus R900 (about 22% lower).
• Dis-Chem website specials are web-only and expire.

Whey prices have also moved: Dis-Chem estimated in 2023 that whey prices had risen at least 50% since the pandemic began, USN said they had roughly doubled within six to 12 months of lockdown, and USN's 2 kg whey fell from about R1 200 to about R1 000 that year. Prices today are a snapshot of a market in flux.

How do you tell a real discount from a fake one?

1. Convert to cost per dose. R per 30 g protein or R per 5 g creatine, using the formulas in how to compare supplement prices.
2. Compare with the normal band. If the "sale" price equals what another shop charges every day, it is not a saving. Examples: creatine at R2.22-R5.55 per 5 g, whey blends at about R23-R33 per 30 g protein.
3. Watch the price for 4-6 weeks. PriceCheck.co.za shows several retailers' prices for one product; our research used it, though listings carry no price date.
4. Check the unit size. A 2 kg tub is not always cheaper per gram (USN BlueLab 2 kg is R69.95 per 100 g against R68.90 for 1 kg).
5. Watch for inflated "was" prices. Misleading price claims can breach section 41 of the Consumer Protection Act.

What is worth buying in a sale?

• Long-dated staples: creatine monohydrate and whey, which store well if kept dry (see how to store supplements in South African heat).
• Items you already use and know the cost per dose of.

What should you skip?

• Large tubs of omega-3 and probiotics that may expire before you finish them.
• Pre-workouts with undisclosed stimulants and fat burners, which are cheap for a reason.
• "Bundle" stacks of products you do not need.

What about Takealot sellers?

Check whether Takealot or a third-party seller is selling; see are Takealot supplements genuine. A cheap price on an unfamiliar seller's listing should be treated with caution.

Where next?

Read the cheapest place to buy supplements and are supplement subscriptions worth it.

Products mentioned