SPAR Sets Its Sights on Clicks and Dis-Chem with Bold Pharmacy Expansion

SPAR Makes a Power Move into South Africa’s Pharmacy Market

The race to dominate South Africa’s pharmacy shelves just got more competitive. Retail heavyweight SPAR is shifting gears with an aggressive expansion plan that could shake up the long-standing rivalry between pharmacy giants Clicks and Dis-Chem.

SPAR Health, a subsidiary of the SPAR Group, recently secured approval from the Competition Commission to acquire Aptekor Group a major Western Cape-based pharmaceutical wholesaler and courier service. The acquisition was cleared without conditions, signalling a smooth road ahead for SPAR’s national growth ambitions.

From Groceries to Prescriptions: A Growing Empire

Aptekor, which has been in operation for over five decades, evolved from a handful of independent pharmacies into a large-scale supplier serving pharmacies, hospitals, and doctors across the Western and Northern Cape as well as the Karoo.

For SPAR, this isn’t just another deal. It marks a turning point in its long-term vision to make pharmacy retail a central pillar of its business. The group currently operates 125 Pharmacy at SPAR outlets nationwide and now aims to double that number to 250 by the end of 2028.

SPAR says its partnership with Aptekor is only the first phase of a broader national plan. With talks already underway for a Durban-based wholesaler, SPAR Health is positioning itself to extend its footprint across KwaZulu-Natal and beyond.

Supporting Independent Pharmacies

While some retail giants have absorbed smaller pharmacies under their corporate umbrellas, SPAR is taking a different approach. The group intends to continue supporting independent pharmacists by providing operational support, branding, and retail expertise under its Pharmacy at SPAR banner.

This model mirrors the brand’s long-standing cooperative philosophy allowing store owners to retain a degree of independence while leveraging the strength of SPAR’s national network.

Challenging the Giants

For now, Clicks remains South Africa’s undisputed leader in the pharmacy space, boasting over 1,000 stores, including roughly 740 pharmacies. The group plans to add 55 more stores and pharmacies in 2025, aiming for a total of 1,200 outlets in the medium term.

Alpha Pharmacies, meanwhile, commands around 350 stores, making it the largest independent pharmacy group in the country. Dis-Chem trails closely behind with more than 330 stores, 285 of which are pharmacies.

Shoprite’s Medirite sits further down the list with 144 outlets, followed by SPAR’s current tally of 125. With the Aptekor deal and national expansion strategy, SPAR could soon surpass Medirite edging closer to the major players.

A Reawakening of the Pharmacy Wars

SPAR’s expansion arrives at a time when South Africa’s pharmaceutical retail sector is entering a new phase of competition. The market, long dominated by Clicks and Dis-Chem, is seeing renewed energy as grocery chains like Shoprite and SPAR begin investing more heavily in health and wellness services.

While SPAR’s footprint still lags behind the top two, its cooperative model and growing national infrastructure give it a strong foundation to scale quickly especially in smaller towns where independent pharmacies still play a vital role in community healthcare.

With its latest acquisition, SPAR has sent a clear message: the pharmacy wars are far from over, and the retailer plans to be a major contender in South Africa’s next retail frontier.

{Source:Business Tech}

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