Retail pharmacy competition in South Africa is intensifying as Dis-Chem and Clicks use loyalty discounts, digital platforms and prescription services to attract and retain customers. – Financial Mail (5 Nov 2026)
Dis-Chem CEO Rui Morais also identified Shoprite as a longer-term threat, particularly through its millions of Sixty60 users, although pharmacist sign-off requirements and its smaller pharmacy network currently limit medicine delivery.
Dis-Chem’s revenue increased by 8% to R23bn in the six months to August 2026, while headline earnings fell by13% as it invested in its retail and digital overhaul. Its Better Rewards programme has 8.2m active members, generating about 86% of sales. Dispensary revenue rose by10.4%, supported by demand for GLP-1 medicines, while R240m is being invested in digital infrastructure.
Clicks reported turnover growth of 5.4% to more than R50bn, with pharmacy sales up by 7.3%, driven by diabetes and GLP-1 medicines. Its ClubCard programme has 13.1m active members and accounts for 84.2% of sales.
Both retailers increasingly view prescriptions as a gateway to broader consumer spending. Digital prescription ordering, convenient collection and loyalty discounts are therefore becoming key competitive tools. If Shoprite enters medicine delivery, pressure on both chains to improve convenience, pricing and customer engagement is likely to intensify.