Dis-Chem has announced a 7.2% increase in group revenue for the five months ending January, reflecting a strong recovery in both its retail and wholesale segments. Retail revenue grew by 5.6%, bolstered by a 2.9% rise in like-for-like sales. The wholesale segment saw an even stronger performance, with revenue up 11.1%, driven by a 9.6% increase in sales to Dis-Chem’s own stores and an impressive 18.8% surge in sales to external wholesale customers, particularly independent pharmacies.
The Local Choice (TLC) franchise network also contributed significantly, with a 19.5% revenue increase and the number of TLC stores growing from 200 to 230. CEO Rui Morais credited the January recovery in retail to the availability of medical aid benefits, which helped offset weaker performance in November. He also highlighted continued progress in managing retail employment costs, which has helped improve operating leverage and contribute to earnings growth.
Looking ahead, Dis-Chem plans to accelerate its store openings into the 2026 financial year, with an expanding pipeline of secured sites. The company now operates a total of 333 stores, including 286 Dis-Chem Pharmacy outlets and 47 Baby City stores, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its retail footprint.