Well-known retail brand Clicks is taking its offering deeper into South Africa’s townships with the launch of a new store format designed to bring everyday health, beauty and personal-care products closer to where people live.

The retailer opened its first KwaMakhi store in Tembisa on Thursday 27 August, marking a new push into communities that are often underserved by traditional formal retail.

The new concept is aimed at competing not only with other major retailers, but also with the smaller informal shops that remain an important part of township economies.

A Clicks store closer to home: KwaMakhi launches in SA

And just like that, the doors are open.

A snip of the ribbon, a big moment for KwaMakhi, and the beginning of something special right here eKasi.
Our very first store is officially open at Tembisa Mega Mart.

This is only the beginning, makhelwane.

KwaMakhi. Right here eKasi. pic.twitter.com/HGOlDsFR1f

— KwaMakhi (@KwaMakhi_sa) August 27, 2026

KwaMakhi, a name that roughly translates to “at my neighbour’s” in several local languages, is built around convenience.

Rather than requiring shoppers to travel to a large shopping centre, the stores are designed to be within walking distance of residential communities.

According to BusinessTech, Clicks CEO Bertina Engelbrecht said the business will compete through a combination of price, quality and convenience.

The stores will also be significantly smaller than conventional Clicks outlets, measuring between 280 and 350 square metres, compared with the 550 to 1 500 square metres typical of traditional stores.

They will focus on front-shop products and will not include pharmacies or clinics.

Clicks sees big opportunity in townships

The move comes as retailers increasingly look towards South Africa’s township economy, which Clicks estimates is worth around R900 billion a year.

Engelbrecht said spending among lower-income consumers has remained resilient despite slower economic growth.

Clicks estimates there are around 2 000 potential locations that its traditional store format cannot currently reach.

KwaMakhi is intended to fill some of that gap.

The concept is also designed around a problem facing lower-income shoppers: paying more for everyday goods because they buy smaller quantities or live farther from formal retail centres.

“You would think it should be the reverse,” Engelbrecht said.

Instead of relying heavily on promotions and discounts, KwaMakhi will use an everyday-low-price model.

The stores will also stock smaller pack sizes, allowing shoppers to purchase products without spending as much per transaction.

Around 30% of the initial product range will be Clicks’ private-label products, with this potentially increasing to 40% as the format develops.

KwaMakhi also plans to introduce refill stations for products such as creams and other personal-care items from around October.

Importantly, Clicks says the range will not be identical across all KwaMakhi stores.

Products will be adapted to suit the preferences and demographics of individual communities, based on what customers actually buy.

Clicks plans to open 10 KwaMakhi outlets by the end of 2026 as part of an initial R30 million “discovery phase” running through February.

The company will use the first stores to determine what works before potentially expanding the format further.