Fifty years of firsts
Since its first store opened in 1968, Clicks has notched up half a century of milestones and innovations.
The first Clicks store opens its doors on 6 August, 1968 in St George’s Street in Cape Town.
Founded by visionary retailer Jack Goldin. Clicks was originally conceived as a drugstore but owing to restrictive legislation in South Africa at the time Jack’s pharmacy dream was only realised 35 years later.
From the outset the brand commits to offering its customers value with the promise of You Pay Less at Clicks. Clicks remains true to it’s heritage as a value retailer, being price competitive with all national retailers.
Clicks opens a store on West Street in Durban. Today, Clicks has more than 930 stores in southern Africa, including Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini and Lesotho.
Clicks launches its “You Pay Less” brand. Today, private label and exclusive brand products contribute to over 25.4% of sales. Private label brands now include Pay Less, Safeway, Kambrook, Made4Baby, Smartbite, Smartlife, D’licious while exclusive brands include Oh So Heavenly and Sorbet.
Clicks Stores Limited is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange now with a market capitalisation of over R88 billion.
In 2009, New Clicks Holdings changes its name to Clicks Group Limited. The listing is transferred to the Food and Drug Retailers sector on the JSE.
Clicks opens its head office in Woodstock, Cape Town, the site of the current head office.
Clicks Group now employs over 19 600 people across southern Africa.
Clicks ClubCard Loyalty Programme is launched - it’s the first of it’s kind in Africa.
In 2024 alone, R780 million was paid to ClubCard members in cashback rewards. Today, ClubCard has 11.8 million active members and has been independently rated as South Africa’s leading loyalty programme.
The first distribution centre opens in Cape Town and marks the move towards centrallised distribution.
Today, Clicks delivers over 615 million units annually, supplying 98.5% of Clicks’ product needs, through three distribution centres. Over 144 000 deliveries are made to the Clicks store network annually, with drivers covering over 7.3 million kilometres annually.
The Body Shop franchise agreement is signed and the first store in Africa is opened in Sandton City, Johannesburg.
Today, The Body Shop products are sold exclusively in over 250 Clicks stores and 57 stand-alone stores.
United Pharmaceutical Distributors (UPD) becomes part of the Clicks Group. The business services the pharmaceutical needs of Clicks, major hospital groups and independent pharmacies.
Today, UPD is South Africa’s leading full-range pharmaceutical wholesaler and the only one with a national presence.
The first Clicks pharmacy is opened in Sea Point, Cape Town.
UPD commissions its automated pharmaceutical warehouse in Gauteng - the first of its kind in southern Africa.
Today, UPD has the largest automated fine wholesale facility in the country.
Clicks extends its pharmacy offering when it acquires a courier company which enables nationwide delivery of medicines directly to patients.
Today, Clicks Direct Medicines operates from 31 store hubs to facilitate a more efficient delivery within communities.
UPD introduces bulk distribution services to pharmaceutical manufacturers and doubles its warehouse capacity in Gauteng, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth between 2009 and 2018.
Today, UPD has a portfolio of 25 pharmaceutical manufacturer distribution clients and is a market leader in this sector.
Clicks Group launches a broad-based employee share owndership scheme to accelerate transformation and retain talent.
Over 5 800 employees share in the R1.3 billion value created through the scheme in the first 50% payout in 2018. The remaining 50% was paid in 2019.
R100 million was donated by the share ownership Trust over 2 years which will fund 100 education bursaries each year.
Clicks Helping Hand Trust launched to deliver free basic healthcare testing and wellness services to disadvantaged South Africans through Clicks clinics.
Over 460 000 lives have been positively impacted by the Helping Hand Trust.
Today, 206 clinics in Clicks pharmacies provide primary care health services to customers.
The first Sorbet products were introduced into Clicks stores.
In 2013, Sorbet Brands is established to further develop the Sorbet business, with Clicks owning a 25% stake.
Sorbet’s colour cosmetics range was launched in March 2018, with Clicks now offering over 2 000 Sorbet products.
In 2023, the group acquired all shares in Sorbet Holdings Proprietary Limited and its subsidiaries, the transaction resulted in the Clicks group holding 100% of the issued share capital of all Sorbet entities, including Sorbet Brands Proprietary Limited in which the group already held a 25% stake.
Introduction of Feel Good Pay Less customer promise as Clicks entrenches its positioning as a value retailer.
Today, Clicks is synonymous with 3 for 2 promotions and with its promotional programme, new product launches, wide range of private label and exclusive products, Clicks offers great value every day.
GNC, a global leader in health and wellness supplements, launches in South Africa through an exclusive franchise agreement with Clicks.
Today, GNC products are offered in over 690 Clicks’ stores.
Claire’s, the international accessories brand for young women and girls, launches in Clicks through an exclusive franchise agreement.
Claire’s products are available in Clicks stores.
Clicks extends customer convenience when it launches an online shopping platform, offering over 25 700 products. Customers can choose Click and Collect in store or home delivery.
Clicks introduces a mobile app which includes a virtual ClubCard.
The Health Hub, an extensive online content resource, is launched which entrenches the brand’s authority in health.
Long-term outsourcing agreement concluded with the Netcare Group.
Clicks opened stores in 41 Netcare hospitals and takes over the management of the pharmacies in 31 Medicross and dental centres.
Clicks opened its 500th pharmacy at Clicks Park Station, Johannesburg.
August 2018 Clicks celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding.
The long term goal is 1200 stores in South Africa.
Launch of Primary Care health plan with
12 724 employees & their dependants covered
Clicks opened its first stand-alone Clicks Baby Store at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, KwaZulu-Natal
Opened our 800th store at Somerset Crossing
In August 2023, Clicks celebrated the 55th anniversary of its founding.
During the year, the group acquired the Sorbet, MKEM and 180 Degrees Marketing businesses.
Opened our 900th store at Barlow Park Lifestyle Centre, Johannesburg.
Clicks expands service delivery with the opening of its first omnichannel warehouse.
