CHAMWE KAIRA
Namibia remained part of Cashbuild’s regional footprint as the South African building materials retailer reported a 6% increase in group revenue for both the fourth quarter and the full 2026 financial year, despite continued weakness across its Rest of Africa operations, which include Namibia.
Cashbuild said group revenue for the fourth quarter ended June 2026 increased by 6% compared with the same period a year earlier.
Existing stores contributed 1 percentage point to growth, while 20 new stores added 5 percentage points. Group revenue for the full financial year also rose by 6%.
The retailer’s Rest of Africa business, which comprises operations in Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Namibia and, until the disposal of its Malawi operations in December 2025, Malawi, recorded a 14% decline in revenue during the fourth quarter. Revenue from existing stores in the segment fell by 15%, while new stores contributed 1% growth.
The Rest of Africa segment accounted for approximately 9% of the group’s total sales during the quarter and recorded a 5% decline in revenue for the full financial year.
Cashbuild’s South African operations, which generated 82% of total group sales, reported 6% revenue growth in the fourth quarter, supported by 4% growth from existing stores and 2% from new stores.
Comparable store revenue, excluding acquisitions, disposals and new stores, increased by 3% in both the fourth quarter and the full financial year, indicating steady underlying demand across the group’s established operations.
Customer activity also improved during the quarter, with transactions across the group increasing by 4% compared with the corresponding period last year. However, transactions at existing stores declined by 1%, while new stores accounted for a 5% increase.
Cashbuild said selling price inflation stood at 1.5% at the end of June 2026 compared with June 2025.
During the fourth quarter, the group opened four new stores and closed four others. For the full financial year, it opened nine stores and closed 11, comprising six P&L Hardware outlets and five Cashbuild stores.
The retailer also acquired three Amper Alles stores and completed the disposal of its Malawi business, which consisted of two stores, in December 2025.
At the end of the financial year, Cashbuild operated a total of 317 stores across its network.
The operational update has not been reviewed or reported on by the group’s external auditors.
