Black Friday shipments to the US came in 46% below the monthly average, and down 66% year-on-year. Although all eyes are now on a ruling in which the US Supreme Court heard arguments over whether to overturn US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, SMEs have already felt severe pain. US media indicate that judges are now debating their decision, having wrapped up arguments last Monday.
This will likely be scant relief for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa, given that they lost two-thirds of Black Friday demand as US tariffs hit hard, a new report shows. Over the past few weeks, several major companies – including Costco, Revlon, Bumble Bee Foods, and the producer of Ray-Ban – have joined small businesses in petitioning the US Court of International Trade to secure refunds if the Supreme Court overturns Trump’s tariffs. In addition, the website Market Realist stated that getting Trump’s tariff refunds will be chaotic for companies, even if the court rules in their favour.
Analysts say that even if the Supreme Court sides with businesses on tariffs, obtaining refunds may still be disorderly, it said. Craig Lowman, CEO and co-founder of South African international shipping platform TUNL, said that “in a normal year, Black Friday is a clear peak”. Traditionally, October, November and December are peak months for small exporters as Americans shop for Thanksgiving,Black Friday and the festive season. However, US shoppers are now cognisant of the knock-on effect of tariffs on goods from South Africa.
