Fifty years of firsts

Since its first store opened in 1968, Clicks has notched up half a century of milestones and innovations.

The beginning...

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.

1968
Purpose-led from day one

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.

1971
Expansion outside the Western Cape

Clicks opens a store on West Street in Durban. Today, Clicks has more than 880 stores in southern Africa, including Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini and Lesotho.

1978
The launch of own-label products

Clicks launches its “You Pay Less” brand. Today, private label and exclusive brand products contribute to over 25.2% 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.

1979
JSE listing

Clicks Stores Limited is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange now with a market capitalisation of over R65 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.

1983

Clicks opens its head office in Woodstock, Cape Town, the site of the current head office.
Clicks Group now employs over 18 400 people across southern Africa.

1995
Africa’s first loyalty programme

Clicks ClubCard Loyalty Programme is launched - it’s the first of it’s kind in Africa.

In 2023 alone, R689 million was paid to ClubCard members in cashback rewards. Today, ClubCard has 10.4 million active members and has been independently rated as South Africa’s leading loyalty programme.

1999

The first distribution centre opens in Cape Town and marks the move towards centrallised distribution.

Today, Clicks delivers over 581 million units annually, supplying 98% of Clicks’ product needs, through three distribution centres. Over 105 000 deliveries are made to the Clicks store network annually, with drivers covering over 7.6 million kilometres annually.

2001
The Body Shop

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 61 stand-alone stores.

2003
UPD

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.

2004
Clicks Pharmacy

The first Clicks pharmacy is opened in Sea Point, Cape Town.

2007

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.

2008

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 30 store hubs to facilitate a more efficient delivery within communities.

2009

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 over 30 pharmaceutical manufacturer distribution clients and is a market leader in this sector.

2010

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.

2011

Clicks Helping Hand Trust launched to deliver free basic healthcare testing and wellness services to disadvantaged South Africans through Clicks clinics.

Over 400 000 lives have been positively impacted by the Helping Hand Trust.

Today, 203 clinics in Clicks pharmacies provide primary care health services to customers.

2011

The first private label scheduled medicines are launched.

Today, Clicks offers over 240 private label generic medicines which provide lower priced alternatives for patients.

2012

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 1 700 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.

2013

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.

2014

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 670 Clicks’ stores.

2015

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.

2016

Clicks extends customer convenience when it launches an online shopping platform, offering over 25 000 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.

2017

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.

2018

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.

2019

Launch of Primary Care health plan with
12 724 employees & their dependants covered

2021

Clicks opened its first stand-alone Clicks Baby Store at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, KwaZulu-Natal

2022

Opened our 800th store at Somerset Crossing

2023

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.