Cashbuild’s African sales fall 11% as existing stores weaken

**Staff Writer **

Cashbuild’s sales across its African markets, including Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini and Lesotho, declined by 11% in the first quarter of its 2027 financial year, reflecting weaker revenue from existing stores.

The South African building materials retailer reported a 16% decline in revenue from existing stores in its Rest of Africa segment for the quarter ended September 2026, while new stores contributed 5% growth.

The Rest of Africa segment accounted for 10% of the group’s total sales during the quarter.

Malawi was included in the comparative regional footprint until its disposal on 29 December 2025.

Cashbuild operates several stores across Namibia, with locations in key towns including Windhoek, Ondangwa, Oshakati, Outapi, Swakopmund, Rundu, Tsumeb, and Oshikango.

At group level, revenue increased by 1% compared with the first quarter of the previous financial year.

However, revenue from 304 existing stores declined by 4%, while 14 new stores contributed 5% growth.

Cashbuild said transactions through its tills fell by 3% across the group, with existing stores recording a 4% decline. New stores contributed 1% growth in transactions.

Selling inflation stood at 3.1% at the end of September 2026 compared with September 2025.

The group’s South African Cashbuild operations, which accounted for 81% of total sales, recorded a 2% revenue decline.

Revenue from existing stores in that segment fell by 3%, while new stores contributed 1% growth.

The Rest of South Africa segment, comprising P&L Hardware and Amper Alles, recorded 56% revenue growth, supported by 49% growth from new stores and 7% from existing stores.

The segment contributed 9% of total group sales.

During the quarter, Cashbuild opened two stores, closed one and refurbished three, bringing its total store count to 318 at the end of September.

The company released the operational update on 22 October 2026, noting that the information had not been reviewed or reported on by its auditors.