Clicks Group Bets $31 Million to Take Controlling Stake in Premium Beauty Retailer ARC
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%.
JOHANNESBURG — South African healthcare and beauty leader Clicks Group has agreed to acquire a further 35.3% stake in premium beauty retailer ARC Store 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 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.
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, 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.
The Intelligence Engine for African Private Capital
Access complete transaction breakdowns, fund strategy updates, and market commentary directly on our platform.
Written by
Read next
South African Travel Tech Platform LekkeSlaap Acquired by Investor Consortium as Founders Exit
Bellair Road Investment Partners, Janic Capital, family offices, and Investec back CEO Frans Joubert and the executive team to drive technology investment and regional expansion across Southern Africa.
M-KOPA Acquires Finnish Phone-Locking Firm KilpiTek for $8 Million
The fintech asset-financier acquires full ownership of the Tampere-based software developer to secure core device-locking IP and streamline global hardware sourcing.
NYSE-Listed Andersen Acquires South African Investment Bank Merchantec
The purchase of the Johannesburg-based advisory firm marks Andersen Group’s debut investment banking footprint in South Africa, anchored alongside acquisitions in Italy and the Netherlands.
Vatar Closes $500,000 Angel Round at $10M Valuation Following Viral Launch of Lagos Life
The parent company of the fast-growing multiplayer browser game secures rapid funding in a single day as player traffic surpasses five million users nine days after debut.
East Africa Foods Secures $40 Million to Expand Regional Agritech Supply Chain
The Dar es Salaam-headquartered food distribution company completes a $26 million Series B equity round co-led by PIDG’s InfraCo, Oikocredit, and FMO to scale post-harvest logistics infrastructure across East Africa.
South African Travel Tech Platform LekkeSlaap Acquired by Investor Consortium as Founders Exit
Bellair Road Investment Partners, Janic Capital, family offices, and Investec back CEO Frans Joubert and the executive team to drive technology investment and regional expansion across Southern Africa.