![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/discovery-bank-improved-.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe SpendTrend highlighted several interesting trends among South African consumers, with Discovery\u00a0Bank clients making 18% more travel transactions than the average South African. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There has also been growth in the emerging role of AI in the shopping journey, as well as in how consumers are responding to fraud. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c40% of surveyed South Africans now\u00a0use\u00a0an AI tool weekly to decide what to buy, where to buy it, or whether to buy at all \u2013 rising to 50% among 18-to-30-year-olds,” said Kallner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Among those using AI, 42% found a cheaper alternative, 35% switched brand or retailer, and 35% avoided a purchase because of risk concerns.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
32% are now also using AI itself as a fraud defence, asking AI to check whether a message or link looks suspicious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to online betting, 46% of South Africans who bet say they are\u00a0spending\u00a0less than they were 12 months ago, while 24% say they are betting more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“43% set a budget and stick to it, 46% bet mostly for entertainment, 44% do so around major sporting events, and 7% have reduced other entertainment\u00a0spend\u00a0to fund betting,” said Kallner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The societal\u00a0trend\u00a0is concerning, but they tell us that for a large portion of those Discovery Bank clients who bet, it is happening inside a managed budget, not outside it.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report also noted that 14% of respondents say they or someone in their household uses a prescribed weight-management medication, which includes GLP-1 therapies like Ozempic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lineshree Moodley, Country Head of Visa South Africa, added that the latest SpendTrend shows a clear step change in behavioural confidence, with more consumers using digital first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moodley said that South Africans are turning to digital payments not because they have to, but because it better aligns with how they live, spend, and manage risk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRather than spreading discretionary\u00a0spend\u00a0evenly, South Africans are actively planning around known moments in the calendar, concentrating\u00a0spend\u00a0into periods that feel familiar, expected and worth prioritising,” Moodley added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“As a result, discount periods, long weekends, celebration days and major sports events consistently lift daily\u00a0spend\u00a0by an average of 13.6%, with Black Friday remaining the most significant event in the\u00a0spending\u00a0calendar.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n