Dis-Chem set to rock

Pharmacy retail giant Dis-Chem expects a significant boost in earnings for its 2025 financial year, with earnings growth of up to 21%.

Dis-Chem released a trading statement on Monday, 26 May 2025, giving shareholders insight into its expected earnings growth for the twelve months ended 28 February 2025.

The retailer expects to announce earnings per share (EPS) and headline earnings per share (HEPS) of between 136.4 and 138.8 cents. 

This is an increase of between 19% and 21% compared to Dis-Chem’s 2024 financial year EPS and HEPS of 114.7 cents and 114.6 cents, respectively.

This announcement follows Dis-Chem’s earlier trading statement, which was released in February this year. In it, the retailer provided an update for the period from 1 September 2024 to 31 January 2025.

In this statement, Dis-Chem said it benefited from the availability of medical aid benefits in January.

Across the five-month period, retail revenue grew by 5.6%, while like-for-like retail revenue increased by 2.9%.

“The retail revenue recovery seen in January, largely driven by the availability of medical aid benefits, continues into February, countering weaker November trade,” CEO Rui Morais said.

“The pleasing work done in managing retail employment cost, the group’s largest expense, continued.” 

“These incremental improvements continue to contribute to positive operating leverage and the delivery of earnings growth seen in the first half of the year”.

Dis-Chem grew its dispensary market share and retained its position as South Africa’s largest retail pharmacy group by dispensary market share.

The retailer now operates 333 retail stores, including 286 Dis-Chem Pharmacy stores and 47 Dis-Chem Baby City stores.

Dis-Chem’s full results for its 2025 financial year are expected to be released on Friday, 30 May 2025.