A new name is emerging in South African retail: KwaMakhi.

It comes from Clicks Group, but don't expect it to look exactly like the Clicks you know.

The first KwaMakhi store has opened in Tembisa, northeast of Johannesburg, as part of a new retail concept designed for township and neighbourhood communities. Clicks plans to have 10 stores open by the end of 2026.

So what is KwaMakhi, and how is it different?

It's smaller than Clicks.

KwaMakhi stores are expected to be around 280 to 350 square metres, compared with roughly 550 to 1,500 square metres for traditional Clicks stores.

The smaller size means they can open in neighbourhoods where a full-size Clicks may not be practical.

The name is equally local. KwaMakhi roughly translates to “at my neighbour's”, reflecting the idea of having a shop close enough to visit for everyday necessities.

What will you find inside?

The range includes everyday products such as:

• Baby products
• Beauty and personal care
• Household essentials
• Traditional medicines
• Front-shop healthcare products

There will also be smaller pack sizes and some single-unit products, aimed at customers who prefer to buy smaller amounts more frequently.

One important difference: KwaMakhi does not have a pharmacy or clinic, and it does not sell food.

Will it be cheaper than Clicks?

KwaMakhi is being positioned around everyday low pricing, rather than relying as heavily on promotions and specials.

Clicks says it has compared pricing with retailers such as Shoprite and Boxer, while the new stores will also compete with local spaza shops for everyday purchases.

About 30% of the initial product range is private label, which could eventually increase to 40%.

There are also plans to introduce refill stations for selected personal-care products from around October.

Where are the next stores opening?

After Tembisa, KwaMakhi plans to open stores in Khayelitsha and Cravenby in the Western Cape, followed by Hammanskraal in September.

Clicks plans to have 10 stores operating by the end of the year and has committed R30 million to the initial trial.

The company says it has identified around 2,000 potential locations that aren't suitable for a traditional Clicks store, so KwaMakhi could eventually become much bigger if the first stores perform well.

The Bottom Line

KwaMakhi isn't simply a smaller Clicks.

There is no pharmacy or clinic; the product range is more focused, smaller packs are available, and the pricing model is different.

For now, it's a 10-store trial. But with the first store already open in Tembisa and another planned for Hammanskraal, it's a retail name we're likely to see more of.