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# Clicks Group Bets $31 Million to Take Controlling Stake in Premium Beauty Retailer ARC
- URL: https://www.africainvestorreview.com/clicks-group-bets-31-million-to-take-controlling-stake-in-premium-beauty-retailer-arc/
- Published: 2026-09-29T01:21:18.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-01T17:28:25.000Z
- Description: South African retail giant Clicks Group expands its footprint in the prestige cosmetics market by acquiring an additional 35.3% interest in premium beauty retailer ARC Store, lifting its total shareholding to 61%.
- Author: Charles S.
- Tags: M&A, Southern Africa

**JOHANNESBURG** — South African healthcare and beauty leader [**Clicks Group**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/clicks-group/home/?ref=africainvestorreview.com) has agreed to acquire a further 35.3% stake in premium beauty retailer [**ARC Store**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/arc-store-south-africa/home/?ref=africainvestorreview.com) for R507 million (approximately **$31 million**), securing a controlling 61% majority position in the company.

The transaction builds upon an initial investment made in 2021\. [Clicks](https://www.linkedin.com/company/clicks-group/home/?ref=africainvestorreview.com) subsequently grew its holding to 25.7% in 2025 before executing the current buyout of founding shareholders to take operational control. The deal remains subject to approval by competition authorities.

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## Scaling the Prestige Retail Footprint

Founded in 2020, ARC has rapidly expanded into a premier luxury cosmetics destination, currently operating 12 stores in premier retail malls alongside a robust e-commerce platform. Notably, its flagship location in Sandton City stands as the largest dedicated beauty store on the African continent. Management aims to scale the store network to between 20 and 30 locations over the medium term.

The strategic acquisition deepens Clicks's exposure to South Africa’s lucrative prestige beauty sector, a market valued at over R6 billion annually. Existing minority shareholders will remain invested, and ARC's executive management team has committed to staying with the business through at least 2028.

> "Our increased shareholding gives Clicks greater ability to participate in ARC's future growth while retaining the founders and management who built the business," noted [**Bertina Engelbrecht**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bertina-engelbrecht-538084123/?ref=africainvestorreview.com), Chief Executive Officer of Clicks Group.

## Strategic Integration and Market Positioning

Synergies between the two brands continue to deepen, with select Clicks stores serving as convenient collection points for ARC's online click-and-collect orders. Industry analysts view the buyout as a clear signal that mainstream retail groups are increasingly opting to acquire specialized premium players rather than incubating prestige concepts from scratch.

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