Takealot set for first profit 15 years after launching

The Takealot Group is on track to achieve its first-ever full-year profit in the 2026 financial year, marking a milestone 15 years after its launch. Takealot, South Africa’s largest e-commerce company, began in the early 2010s after Kim Reid and Tiger Global Management acquired the business Take2, rebranding it as takealot.com in June 2011.

The company expanded in 2014 by launching Mr Delivery (now Mr D) and the fashion retailer Superbalist, then merged with Kalahari in 2015, when Naspers  acquired a 46.5% stake for R1.2 billion, eventually increasing its holding to over 95% by 2018.

While Takealot prioritized growth over profits for much of the past decade, it reported a R68 million EBIT loss in the first half of the 2026 financial year (ending September 2025).

However, the company expects profitability in the second half, boosted by the critical retail period of Black Friday and the Christmas season.

Takealot CFO Tessa Ackermann expressed cautious optimism, noting that the higher sales from October to December 2025 should push the group into the black, though the next 60 days remain crucial for reaching this goal.

Mr D, the delivery arm of the Takealot Group, has already reached profitability in FY2024 and continues to perform strongly, with 12% revenue growth to approximately R1.1 billion and 14% gross merchandise value growth in the first half of FY2026.

Takealot.com itself grew revenue by 20% and GMV by 17% in the same period, driven by increased active shoppers and marketplace sellers contributing significantly to sales.

The group’s diversified e-commerce ecosystem and ongoing loyalty programs contribute towards this solid financial trajectory, demonstrating promise for Takealot’s sustainable profitability in the near future.