Clicks Group (Retail)Employee Reviews & Ratings

Clicks offers a steady foot in the door for school-leavers who want paid work and real training from day one. Getting started is straightforward. The company runs paid learnerships and short onboarding programmes that teach till operation, stock handling and basic customer service. No previous experience is needed, and they regularly take on matriculants across their 900-plus stores nationwide, including in Cape Town and Durban. New hires usually spend the first week or two shadowing a colleague before working shifts on their own. Day-to-day work feels busy but predictable. Juniors often start as cashiers or shelf packers, wearing the standard uniform provided by the store. Shifts can include weekends and some evenings, but most stores sit near taxi ranks or train stations, which helps with transport. Teams tend to be mixed in age, and managers who have come up through the ranks themselves often keep instructions clear and practical rather than overly formal. Growing from here is realistic if you stay a while. Many store managers and supervisors began in entry roles, and the company promotes internally when positions open. Skills picked up—handling cash, dealing with stock systems, working under pressure—transfer to other retail jobs or further study in supply chain or business. Some staff move into head-office support roles in Cape Town after a few years on the floor. This employer suits matric holders in Durban or Cape Town who want their first formal job with structure, a uniform, and a chance to learn while earning rather than waiting for the perfect role.

— ShiftMate · Clicks Group (Retail) worker

Clicks Group operates over 900 stores across South Africa and maintains a large head office presence in Cape Town and Durban. As a retail employer it offers relative stability in a tough sector, but employee feedback from platforms such as Indeed South Africa, HelloPeter and Glassdoor consistently describes the day-to-day experience as demanding and repetitive. Store staff report a fast-paced environment driven by high customer volumes, strict sales targets and frequent stock replenishment. Many reviews note that teams are often understaffed, especially during peak periods and weekends, leading to pressure on remaining employees. Management quality appears inconsistent; some store managers are described as supportive and fair, while others are criticised for poor communication and favouritism. Company culture is characterised as professional yet hierarchical, with limited input from floor staff on operational decisions. Work-life balance receives frequent criticism because of rotating shifts, late trading hours and limited flexibility for family responsibilities. Pay for entry-level roles such as cashiers, beauty advisors and shelf packers sits at or slightly above the retail minimum wage. Benefits typically include a staff discount, provident fund contributions and, for permanent employees, access to medical aid after a qualifying period. However, many reviewers state that take-home pay remains low relative to living costs in major cities, and overtime is not always paid promptly or at the correct rate. Performance bonuses tied to store targets are mentioned but described as difficult to achieve consistently. Career progression exists within the large store network, with pathways from assistant to supervisor or pharmacist assistant roles. The company runs internal training programmes, including learnerships and product knowledge courses. Employees who stay longer than two years often report gaining useful retail and customer-service skills, yet several reviews note that promotions can be slow and are sometimes awarded on tenure rather than merit. Clicks suits job seekers who want steady employment in a well-known national retailer, value the staff discount and medical-aid option, and are prepared for shift work and sales pressure. It is less suitable for those seeking above-average pay, predictable hours, strong work-life balance or rapid advancement without additional qualifications. Prospective applicants should verify current store staffing levels and management reputation before accepting an offer.