Clicks Group delivered a strong trading performance for the year ended 31 August 2025, navigating a constrained consumer environment to grow earnings, expand margins, and deliver industry-leading shareholder returns.
The health and beauty retailer reported a 14.1% increase in diluted headline earnings per share to 1 362 cents. Group turnover rose 5.3% to R47.8 billion, with retail turnover up 6% and distribution turnover growing 5.1%.
A key highlight was the expansion of the group’s trading margin, which increased by 60 basis points to 9.8%. Clicks achieved a return on equity of 49.2%.
Highlighting the strong performance, the group’s board declared a total dividend of 886 cents per share, up 14.2% on the prior year, maintaining its 65% payout ratio.
The group returned R2.7 billion to shareholders through R1.9 billion in dividends and R751 million in share buybacks. Clicks noted it has delivered a compound annual growth rate in total shareholder return of 17.3% over the past decade.
Clicks CEO Bertina Engelbrecht attributed the results to the resilience of the group’s core health and beauty offering and growth across its strategic pillars.
“Clicks reported strong growth of 10.7% in private label and exclusive brands which accounted for R9.7 billion of the chain’s turnover,” she said, adding that one in three front shop products sold is now a private label or exclusive item.
Clicks ClubCard
The Clicks ClubCard loyalty programme celebrated its 30th anniversary, growing active membership to 12.6 million and accounting for 82.6% of sales. Members received R855 million in cashback rewards during the year, the Cape Town-headquartered company said.
The group also grew its market share in the baby category with standalone stores increasing sales by 23% and store-in-store sales increasing by 12%.
Clicks expanded its footprint, opening a net 55 new stores to reach over 990 outlets, and added a net 60 pharmacies, bringing the national network to 780.
The group highlighted that over half the country’s population now lives within 5km of a Clicks pharmacy.
In a significant sustainability move, the group’s wholesaler, UPD, introduced South Africa’s first fleet of 42 zero-emission electric delivery vehicles, equipped with solar-powered refrigeration, with plans to add another 40.
Future growth
Looking ahead, Engelbrecht acknowledged that consumer spending remains under pressure but stated Clicks Group is well-positioned due to its defensive market leadership.
The focus will be on sustaining private label growth (targeting 35% of front shop sales), leveraging recent investments in Sorbet and UniCare, enhancing omni-channel capabilities, and opening 40-50 new Clicks stores and 40-50 pharmacies in FY2026.
Capital expenditure of R1.3 billion is planned for the new financial year.
Clicks Group’s share price
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