Clicks Group is a retail-led healthcare group which has been listed on the JSE since 1996. Through retail brands Clicks, The Body Shop and Clicks Baby, the Group has over 841 stores across southern Africa. The Group remains focused on the South African market which it regards as holding potential for expansion into under-served areas.
Clicks was launched in 1968 when entrepreneur Jack Goldin opened the first store in Cape Town. By the time it listed in 1979, the Group had expanded to 30 stores nationally. After a series of sales (Score Food Group in 1988 and Premier Group in 1992), Malbak subsidiary New Clicks Holdings acquired the company in 1995.
From the late 1990s, with the expected changing of the law to allow ownership of pharmacies by individuals (and businesses) other than pharmacists, New Clicks Holdings readied itself to achieve a long cherished dream: the integration of pharmacies into the stores of the flagship Clicks division. The first Clicks pharmacy was opened in Cape Town in March 2004. Today, headed by CEO Bertina Engelbrecht, Clicks is the largest pharmacy chain in South Africa with over 612 in-store dispensaries, servicing all shopper segments.
The expressed end-goal for the Clicks Group is to have a pharmacy in each of its stores. Another major growth point for Clicks is its private label penetration, which is in line with its pay-less approach, saving customers money whilst they still look and feel good.
For insight into Clicks’ financial & operational performance and strategic growth imperatives, contact Trade Intelligence on 031 303 2803 or info@tradeintelligence.co.za