Current issue of AMC magazine brings critical insights for marketers
Issue 1 2026 of Strategic Marketing for Africa, the magazine for deep-thinking African marketing professionals, highlights key trends.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
Retail group Clicks continues expanding its store & pharmacy footprint
By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2026
Further growth of customer loyalty programme predicted, as well as increased demand for private label products and exclusive brands.
Clicks, the prominent South African retail-led healthcare company, plans to open 40 to 50 stores and 40 to 50 pharmacies in the new financial year, and remains committed to expanding its store footprint to 1,200 in the medium term.
Photo: Clicks Group
This is according to an interim results update issued by the group. The update adds that at least four UniCare specialist pharmacies will be opened. UniCare is a specialised 24-hour pharmacy and clinical services brand developed and owned by the Clicks Group.
In addition, a further 70-80 stores will be refurbished or expanded to “ensure the stores remain appealing and enticing to customers”.
Clicks says capital expenditure of US$30,4-million (R506-million) will be invested in retail systems and infrastructure. These include the completion of a new pharmacy management system, implementation of a warehouse management system at the Centurion (near the city of Tshwane) and Durban distribution centres, and further investment in solar energy.
Many South African businesses have invested heavily in solar technology due to the country’s expensive and uncertain electricity supply.
Private label and exclusive brands
The results update notes that the contribution of private label, exclusive and franchise brands to front shop sales is targeted to increase to 31.0% (2025: 30.6%) in 2026 as Clicks continues to innovate and introduce new products.
“Private label and exclusive brands offer differentiated ranges across all merchandise categories at competitive prices while increasing customer choice. These products are trusted due to their proven quality and price positioning. The Body Shop and Sorbet product ranges further differentiate the Clicks offer,” the results update states.
“Strong demand for private label products contributed to sales growing by 10.7% and contributing 25.9% of total sales. Private label comprises 30.6% of front shop sales and 12.3% of pharmacy sales.”
Clicks also envisages further success its loyalty programme, known as ClubCard. Active membership is targeted to increase to 13-million as the retailer accelerates its personalisation and digital engagement strategy.
ClubCard is the most used loyalty programme in South Africa (source: Truth and BrandMapp Loyalty Whitepaper 2025) and integrates rewards, customer engagement and personalisation to reinforce the emotional affiliation of customers to the brand.
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