The South African retailer helping women grow their businesses
South Africa’s women are receiving attention this Women’s Day. 70 years after 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings, female entrepreneurs are in the…
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South Africa’s women are receiving attention this Women’s Day.
70 years after 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings, female entrepreneurs are in the spotlight.
One retailer is taking note and helping these founders reach millions.
Clicks helps South Africa’s business women
Data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) gives context to how women shape South Africa.
Nearly half of the country’s households (49.5%) are headed by women.
Women are in the majority, accounting for 51.1% of the population as of 2022.
Clicks is taking this into account.
The retailer has been stocking its shelves with products from women-owned businesses.
In its supplier toolkit, the group shares its commitment to growing women-owned small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) as a “key focus.”
According to a Clicks media briefing, the group pledged R4.5 billion over three years to achieve this.
Between 2021 and 2024, the group would spend this revenue on products from black and women-owned businesses.
As a result, multiple small businesses have become job creators.
More women-owned businesses could benefit from the procurement process.
To become a supplier, businesses must pass a 3-phase process.
In the first phase, businesses need to demonstrate they’re ready to work with the national retailer. Suppliers must have:
Next, hopeful businesses must complete the standard proposal.
Finally, they will submit this to Clicks’ new business division.
If they’re successful, Clicks will prepare the business to stock products online or on its shelves.
Products of women-owned businesses stocked at Clicks
A handful of women-owned businesses have become major successes from this programme.
Now, you can shop their products this Women’s Day.
Other South African retailers helping women
In a keynote address to launch Women’s Month, Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Lydia Chikunga, shared that retailers had an obligation to women-owned businesses.
Chikunga said, “retailers have a responsibility to open supplier pipelines, and to provide transparent market-entry routes.”
South African corporations are making strides to help women-owned businesses.
According to the Shoprite Group, it spent R19.8 billion on suppliers that have 30% or more female ownership.
In December 2025, Woolworths pledged R7 billion to women-owned and black-owned SMMEs.