The Takealot Group has reported its first-ever profit, marking a significant milestone for South Africa’s largest online retailer, as adjusted earnings before interest and tax (aEBIT) moved into positive territory.
According to parent company Naspers’ financial results for the year ended 31 March 2026, the group delivered a strong operational performance, supported by revenue growth and improved margins.
Takealot Group revenue increased by 18% in local currency, excluding mergers and acquisitions, to US$1 billion (about R17.3 billion at average exchange rates). Naspers said the group continues to defend its market leadership despite increased competition following Amazon’s entry into the South African marketplace.
A key highlight of the results was the group’s shift into profitability, with full-year aEBIT moving from a $13 million loss (R220 million) to a $11 million profit (R190.35 million).
This turnaround was supported by a 60% increase in adjusted EBITDA to $78 million (R1.35 billion) and a 14% rise in gross merchandise value (GMV) to $2 billion (R34.6 billion). Naspers attributed the improved gross margins to changes in category mix, growth in retail media, and the expansion of the TakealotMORE subscription programme.
Takealot.com remained the largest contributor, generating $906 million (R15 billion) in revenue, an increase of 28% in US dollar terms and 19% in rand terms. The platform recorded aEBIT profit of $7 million (R121 million), supported by 15% GMV growth and 18% growth in orders. Naspers said TakealotMORE accounted for 27% of GMV, reflecting stronger customer engagement.
The group’s on-demand delivery arm, Mr D, also delivered growth, with revenue rising 18% in US dollars and 11% in rand terms to $138 million (R2.4 billion). GMV increased by 13%, while the business remained profitable, reporting a stable aEBIT of $4 million (R69.2 million).
Looking ahead to the 2027 financial year, Naspers said Takealot is expanding its Takealot Fulfilment Solutions (TFS) division into a standalone revenue stream. The initiative will leverage the company’s existing logistics infrastructure to serve external clients across South Africa.
The group said its integrated model combining Takealot.com, Mr D, TakealotMORE, and TFS aims to strengthen scale, improve efficiency, and enhance customer retention while converting operational capacity into additional revenue streams.
Naspers noted that aEBITDA and aEBIT are non-IFRS performance measures used internally to assess management performance and determine remuneration, as well as inform dividend decisions, though they are not directly comparable with standard financial reporting metrics.