One of South Africa’s biggest retailers rolling out hundreds of stores

Clicks has reported a strong performance for its 2025 financial year, as the retail giant continues to go from strength to strength, eyeing a target of 1,200 stores over the medium term.

Clicks is South Africa’s leading pharmacy, health and beauty retailer, with over 990 stores and 780 in-store pharmacies. Some of its brands include Clicks Baby, The Body Shop and Sorbet.

On Thursday, 23 October, Clicks released its results for the year ended 31 August 2025, which revealed a strong performance for the retailer.

Its turnover grew by 5.3% to R47.83 billion, while retail turnover, which includes Clicks, UniCare, The Body Shop and Sorbet corporate stores, increased by 6.0%.

Comparable store turnover grew by 4.7%, with inflation of 2.6% and volume growth of 2.1%.

The company’s distribution turnover also saw strong growth of 5.1%, driven by increased purchasing compliance across UPD’s core wholesale channels. 

Therefore, Clicks’ total income grew by 8.4% to R14.9 billion, and its basic earnings per share increased by 14.5% to 1,363 cents.

The retailer made a profit of R3.24 billion for the year, up 14.1% from the previous year. 

The company explained that these strong results are, in part, due to the strong growth of 10.7% in private label and exclusive brands, which accounted for R9.7 billion of the chain’s turnover.

Over the 2025 financial year, Clicks also increased its store base to over 990 following the opening of a net 55 stores.

The retailer’s national pharmacy network was also expanded to 780 with the opening of a net 60 pharmacies during the year.

Looking forward, Clicks plans to keep this momentum going, saying it aims to leverage the recent investments in Sorbet, UniCare and the LEAP pharmacy system while continuing to invest in enhancing the group’s omni-channel capability.

Clicks plans to open 40 to 50 stores and 40 to 50 pharmacies in the 2026 financial year and is committed to achieving its medium-term target of 1,200 stores. 

In addition, the group plans to open 10 to 15 UniCare specialised pharmacies over the medium term.

To fund these ambitious expansion plans, Clicks said capital expenditure of R1.26 billion is planned for the 2026 financial year. 

This includes R662 million for new stores and pharmacies and the refurbishment of 70 to 80 stores. A further R594 million will be invested in supply chain, IT and infrastructure.

Clicks declared a final gross ordinary dividend of 648 cents, bringing the total dividend for the year to 886 cents per share, up 14.2% from the previous year.