Dis-Chem
Dis-Chem is the second largest retail pharmacy chain in South Africa, with 165 stores, plus 4 in Namibia and 1 in Botswana.[1] The chain had a total revenue of 21.4 billion South African rand in 2019. Dis-Chem has private label products, sells via the Internet, operates a loyalty programme, and the Group has a wholesale division.[2] The chain announced in 2016 its plans to double the number of outlets through 2021. At that time, one-third of its outlets were less than three years old.[3]
History
Dis-Chem started in 1978 when pharmacists Ivan and Lynette Saltzman, opened their first retail pharmacy in Mondeor, a southern suburb of Johannesburg. They introduced the concept of a discount pharmacy with product categories that until then, had not been offered in South African pharmacies. In 2014, Dis-Chem opened its first store outside South Africa, in Windhoek, Namibia. In November 2016, Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited group listed 27.5% of its listed share capital on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. It was the second-largest IPO in the exchange's history.[2]
In July 2020, Competition Commission of South Africa found Dischem guilty of inflating prices of hygiene products during COVID-19 pandemic. [1]
References
- ^ "Find a store", Dis-Chem website, accessed 9 July 2020
- ^ a b "About Dis-Chem", Dis-Chem website, accessed 9 July 2020
- ^ Strydom, TJ (18 November 2016). "Dis-Chem to double pharmacies after South African market debut". Reuters.