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Shopping Hours in South Africa

Standard business hours in South Africa are:

  • 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday to Friday
  • 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday
  • closed Sunday.

Most shops that aren’t in malls keep these hours, as do most informal traders – a situation that can be inconvenient to visitors who’d rather plan their days around their own schedules.

So for those who want to do a bit of shopping while in South Africa, SA Blog offers a bit of advice:

  • Go to a mall for necessities like toiletries and groceries, and for last-minute gift shopping, if you’re near one. Malls tend to keep longer hours – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. is standard – so you’ll have more time to squeeze in a trip.

    Click here for a reasonable mall directory. Note that for some reason it doesn’t list the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, which is Africa’s most-visited place. Rather an oversight, don’t you think?

  • If you see something you like, especially in an outdoor market, don’t hesitate – buy it then and there. The odds on your getting a second chance are longer than you think.
  • Keep in mind that you’ll be able to find most South African books and music back home, via online traders like Amazon.com.
  • Visit SA Blog’s Shopping category for reviews of individual shops and malls. Great advice and ideas!