Wikipedia

Dis-Chem

Dis-Chem
Dis-Chem Pharmacies
Company typePublic
JSE: DCP
ISINZAE000227831
IndustryRetail
Founded1978; 48 years ago (1978)[1]
Founder
  • Lynette Saltzman[1]
  • Ivan Saltzman[1]
Headquarters
Midrand
,
South Africa
Number of locations
300+ (2025[2])
Area served
RevenueR 39.17 billion (2025[3])
R 2.1 billion (2025[3])
R 1.22 billion (2025[3])
Total assetsR 19.26 million (2025[3])
Total equityR 5.23 million (2025[3])
Number of employees
18,500 (2025[4])
Websitewww.dischem.co.za

Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited, commonly known as Dis-Chem, is the second-largest retail pharmacy chain in South Africa, operating over 300 stores across Southern Africa. The company offers a wide range of products, including third-party and private label items, both in-store and online, and operates a wholesale division. The company's head office is based in Midrand, Gauteng and is listen on the JSE under the ticker symbol as DCP.[2][5][6]

History

[edit]

Dis-Chem was founded in 1978 by pharmacists Ivan and Lynette Saltzman.[1][7] The pharmacy opened its first retail pharmacy in Mondeor, a southern suburb of Johannesburg.[8] The couple introduced the concept of a discount pharmacy, offering product categories that were previously unavailable in South African pharmacies due to restrictive legislation.

In 2014, Dis-Chem expanded internationally by opening its first store outside South Africa, in Windhoek, Namibia.[9] In November 2016, the company listed 27.5% of its share capital on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, raising approximately R 4.4 billion in what was then the second-largest initial public offering in the exchange's history.[10][11] Following the IPO, Dis-Chem announced plans to double its number of outlets by 2021, with one-third of its stores being less than three years old at the time.[12]

Criticism

[edit]

In July 2020, the Competition Commission of South Africa found Dis-Chem guilty of inflating prices of certain hygiene products, such as disposable face masks, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tribunal imposed an administrative penalty of R 1.2 million,[13] significantly lower than the R 2 billion fine the Commission had initially sought. Dis-Chem chose not to appeal the decision, citing concerns over reputational harm.[14][15][16][17][18][19]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "One of South Africa's richest men gives his sons R3.4 billion each". 23 June 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  2. ^ a b West, Edward (2025). "Dis-Chem says February retail growth continued". The Star. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Group and company audited annual financial statements 2025 - Dis-Chem" (PDF). Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  4. ^ "Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited". dischem.simplify.hr. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  5. ^ "Dis-Chem founders sell head office to group for R500m". Moneyweb. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  6. ^ "Could The Market Be Wrong About Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited (JSE:DCP) Given Its Attractive Financial Prospects?". Simply Wall St. Yahoo Finance. 4 August 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  7. ^ Klawansky, Gillian (11 November 2021). "Lynette and Ivan Saltzman: the chemistry of Dis-Chem". SA Jewish Report. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  8. ^ "Dis-Chem says Thank You! We're Grateful for Your Vote and Support!". Randburg Sun. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  9. ^ Magwaza, Nompumelelo (1 April 2014). "Dis-Chem continues expansion". IOL. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  10. ^ Strydom, TJ (15 November 2016). "Dis-Chem raises R4.4bn in placing ahead of IPO". Reuters. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  11. ^ "Dis-Chem Success Story". www.epiuselabs.com. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  12. ^ Strydom, TJ (18 November 2016). "Dis-Chem to double pharmacies after South African market debut". Reuters.
  13. ^ "COMPETITION TRIBUNAL FINDS DISCHEM GUILTY OF INFLATING MASK PRICES DURING COVID-19 DISASTER" (PDF). Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  14. ^ "Reputational harm causes Dis-Chem to abandon appeal". Juta MedicalBrief. 26 August 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  15. ^ "Tribunal fines Dis-Chem R1.2 Million for excessive pricing of face masks during COVID-19 pandemic". 7 July 2020.
  16. ^ Madisa, Kgothatso (8 July 2020). "Dis-Chem to challenge Competition Tribunal's fine". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  17. ^ "Dis-Chem fined R1.2m for price inflation". SAnews.gov.za. Mossel Bay Advertiser. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  18. ^ Mahlangu, Thato (9 July 2020). "Price-gouging Dis-Chem made to pay million rand fine". Corruption Watch. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  19. ^ Bisseker, Neil (8 July 2020). "Dis-Chem to appeal Tribunal ruling over masks". www.algoafm.co.za. Retrieved 16 September 2025.