Takealot Group has reached a milestone many technology companies spend years chasing, reporting its first full year of profitability 15 years after launching and surpassing R17.7 billion in annual revenue.
Beyond the financial achievement, the result signals growing opportunities for the more than 30,000 SMEs that now rely on the platform to reach customers across South Africa.
The e-commerce giant reported adjusted earnings before interest and tax (aEBIT) of R171 million for the year ended 31 March 2026, marking a turnaround of almost R385 million from the previous year’s loss.
Revenue climbed 18% to R17.7 billion, while the business processed more than 60 million orders from over 6.2 million active customers, making it one of South Africa’s few home-grown technology companies to surpass the US$1 billion revenue milestone.
The results come as South Africa’s e-commerce sector becomes increasingly competitive following the arrival of global players such as Amazon and continued pressure from international online retailers.
Despite the heightened competition, Takealot has maintained its market leadership while expanding the role of marketplace sellers, logistics services and township-focused delivery initiatives within its broader business model.
SMEs become central to Takealot’s growth
Takealot said more than 30,000 SMEs now trade across its platforms, with approximately 15,000 active marketplace sellers offering products through Takealot’s platform.
Marketplace sales now account for 60% of the platform’s gross merchandise value, underscoring the growing role of third-party businesses in driving the company’s performance.
Group Chief Executive Officer Frederik Zietsman described the results as a defining moment in the company’s history.
“Fifteen years after pioneering South African e-commerce, Takealot Group has reached a pivotal inflection point, transitioning into a highly profitable, cash-generative business,” he said.
He added that the company’s growth demonstrates the strength of a long-term strategy focused on customers, technology and operational excellence.
Group Chief Financial Officer Tessa Ackermann said years of disciplined investment had enabled the company to build operational leverage while expanding without significant additional capital expenditure.
“Our financial results demonstrate a structurally sound, cash-generative business with top-line growth and a highly diversified revenue mix,” she said.
Growth extends beyond online shopping
The results highlight that growth is increasingly being driven by services supporting the wider e-commerce ecosystem rather than online retail alone.
Takealot Fulfilment Solutions, which provides logistics services to external businesses, recorded revenue growth of 93.5% during the year, while the TakealotMORE subscription programme grew 74% as customers sought greater value through delivery and shopping benefits. Retail Media, the company’s digital advertising business, also increased revenue by 35%.
According to Group Executive for External Affairs and Public Policy Tshepo Marumule, the milestone demonstrates that commercial success and economic inclusion can grow together.
“By enabling over 30,000 SMEs, empowering more than 17,000 driver partners and unlocking over 12,500 personal shoppers, we ensure our commercial growth directly translates into real economic opportunity,” he said.
Takealot’s profitability represents more than a corporate milestone for South African SMEs. It signals the continued expansion of one of the country’s largest digital marketplaces at a time when thousands of small businesses are increasingly relying on e-commerce to access national markets, build new revenue streams and compete in an increasingly digital economy.
Whether the company can sustain that momentum amid growing international competition will be closely watched by businesses selling through its platform and the broader retail sector alike.
