Clicks ups final dividend to R1.1bn after Covid- 19 boost to distribution unit
Clicks, which has SA’s largest chain of retail pharmacies, has increased its final dividend by more than a third, a R1.1bn payout, after Covid- 19 boosted online sales as well as its bulk medicines distribution unit.
The owner of Musica and The Body Shop upped its final dividend 37.6 percent to 450c for its year to end- August, saying Covid- 19 had put pressure on the group in terms of restricted trading hours and additional expenses, though some business lines benefited.
The group’s medicine distribution unit, United Pharmaceutical Distributors ( UPD), saw strong growth due to increased demand for medicines and health- care products during the pandemic, Clicks said.
UPD grew total managed turnover 11.7 percent to R23.6bn, and also gained market share. Total managed turnover refers to wholesale turnover and turnover managed on behalf of bulk distribution clients.
Group headline earnings grew 12.2 percent to R1.9bn, while turnover increased 9.6 percent to R34.4bn.
Clicks opened 39 stores during the year, bringing its retail footprint to 743 stores. The pharmacy network was increased to 585 with the opening of 40 pharmacies.
Online sales increased by 361percent off a relatively low base for the second half of the financial year, or the six months to end- August, with Covid- 19 resulting in a change in shopping patterns.
Consumers chose to shop closer to home and shop less frequently, while many stayed at home and shopped online to reduce the risk of contracting Covid- 19, the group said.
“The accessibility of the Clicks store network proved beneficial,” said Clicks, due to 74 percent of stores being located in convenience and neighbourhood shopping centres. This largely negated the significant slowdown in footfall at super regional and regional malls across the country.
“The performance of the past year, and particularly in the second half during the Covid- 19 crisis, has again demonstrated that the group’s core health and beauty markets and business model are resilient,” said CEO Vikesh Ramsunder.