Dis-Chem

{{Short description|Pharmacy chain in South Africa}}

{{More references needed|date=July 2021}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Dis-Chem

| logo = Dischem Logo.png

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| traded_as = JSE:DCP

| ISIN = ZAE000227831

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| founded = {{Start date and age|1978|01|01|df=y}} in Johannesburg

| founder = Lynette & Ivan Saltzman

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| hq_location = Cnr Le Roux Ave &, Stag Rd, Glen Austin AH

| hq_location_city = Midrand, 1685

| hq_location_country = South Africa

| num_locations = 165 (+5 abroad)

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| revenue = R21.4 Billion

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| num_employees = 18,000

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| website = {{URL|https://www.dischem.co.za/}}

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Dis-Chem is the second largest retail pharmacy chain in South Africa, with 165 stores, plus 4 in Namibia and 4 in Botswana.[https://www.dischem.co.za/find-a-store "Find a store"] Dis-Chem website, accessed 9 July 2020 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. 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.{{cite news |last1=Strydom |first1=TJ |title=Dis-Chem to double pharmacies after South African market debut |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-dischem-listing/dis-chem-to-double-pharmacies-after-south-african-market-debut-idUSKBN13D1DS |publisher=Reuters |date=18 November 2016}}

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 because of prohibiting legislation.

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.[https://www.dischem.co.za/about-dis-chem "About Dis-Chem"] Dis-Chem website, accessed 9 July 2020

Criticism

In July 2020, the Competition Commission of South Africa found Dis-Chem guilty of inflating prices of certain hygiene products (i.e. disposable face masks) during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.comptrib.co.za/info-library/case-press-releases/tribunal-fines-dis-chem-r12-million-for-excessive-pricing-of-face-masks-during-covid-19-pandemic|title=Tribunal fines Dis-Chem R1.2 Million for excessive pricing of face masks during COVID-19 pandemic|date=7 July 2020}}

In September 2023, Dischem CEO, Ivan Saltzman issued a memo. According to this letter the company has since placed a moratorium on the hiring and promotion of white individuals.{{cite web|url=https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/dis-chem-sticks-to-moratorium-on-hiring-of-whites-20221014|title=Dis-Chem sticks to moratorium on hiring of whites|date=14 October 2022}}

References