Saltzman Family Of South Africa Sees 28.2 Million Drop In Dis-chem Stake

Saltzman familys Dis-Chem stake drops 28.2 million in value over a few weeks amid pressure on South African retail stocks.

Dis-Chem shares fall 14.13 year-to-date, turning a 100,000 January investment into 85,870a 14,130 loss.

Saltzmans retain 29.3 stake worth 433.3 million, showing no sign of exiting despite recent market declines.

In a sharp and costly turn, South Africas Saltzman familyfounders and controlling shareholders of Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limitedhave seen 28.24 million wiped off the value of their stake in just one month. The loss follows a broader slide in South African retail stocks, with Dis-Chems shares coming under sustained pressure on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

The Saltzman family, founders of the Dis-Chem pharmacy chain, hold a 29.3 percent stake in the companyamounting to over 252 million shares. That stake was valued at R8.32 billion 461.56 million as of July 3, but today, it is worth R7.81 billion 433.32 million, wiping out R509.17 million 28.24 million in market value in just a few weeks.

Its a sharp drop that dents the familys fortune and takes back recent progress. Between May 8 and June 1, the value of their stake had climbed by 28.63 milliona gain thats now been completely reversed. The quick swing underscores just how sensitive the market can be, especially in an uncertain economy where confidence shifts fast.

Dis-Chem, like many players in South Africas retail and consumer space, is feeling the weight of weaker spending, high inflation, and broader uncertainty. Over the past month, its shares have slipped 6.12 percentfrom R33.02 1.83 to R31 1.72 per share. Even with its strong brand and wide footprintincluding prescription services, clinics, and wellness productsthe company has not been immune to investor caution.

The business began over 40 years ago as a single pharmacy, founded by Lynette and Ivan Saltzman. Since then, its grown into one of the countrys largest health retail groups, with the familys leadership playing a central role in its expansion. Their long-standing ownership remains one of their most valuable financial assets.