the supermarket chain Yes Losses of 104.7 million euros were recorded in the first half of the year, only 0.1% less than in the same period of the previous year. Its net sales increased, yes, by 8.5% despite 4.3% fewer stores worldwide (5,733 establishments).
According to the results transmitted this Thursday to the National Stock Exchange Commission (CNMV), the company recorded positive growth in all the markets in which it operates, with growth in net sales in Argentina, Brazil and Spain and an increase in the weight of its own brand and franchise sales.
The raw score exploitation adjusted (ebitda) reached 51 million euros through June, 6.5% more than the same period of 2021. It also managed to maintain the margin at 1.5%, despite the fact that the result was affected by 40.9 million of additional energy and diesel costs, as well as 7.4 million linked to the store renovation program.
In the current context, the company points out that customers are going to the store more often but buying less. In concrete terms, there is a 5.7% increase in the number of tickets between January and June, compared to the same period in 2021, with a drop in the average basket of 2.9%.
“The first half of 2022 presented us with a complex economic scenario, marked by inflation and the rising cost of raw materials, fuel and energy. Despite this, the progress made up to June, the positive evaluation of our customers and franchisees, and the support shown by our shareholders during the ordinary general meeting held in June, indicate a clear turning point for the company”, said Dia Group Executive Chairman, Stéphane DuCharme.
By market, sales in Spain increased by 0.3% despite 3.9% fewer establishments open. For his part, the financial debt of the group increased by 71.9 million compared to December 2021 (+17.8%), reaching €476.1 million. According to the company, a large part is due to the 134.3 million euros invested during the semester, about half of which corresponds to the investments planned as part of the store renovation program that the company is carrying out.
“The execution and results of your plan allow us to affirm that we have entered the phase of consolidating these advances. Brazil and Portugal are working to develop their business models and are making significant progress which also brings them closer to completing their transformation projectDuCharme added.
At the end of the first half, the company had 1,775 establishments already operating under the new store model and representing 46% of its local network (excluding Maxi stores in Spain and Portugal, La Plaza and Clarel). By country, Spain has 1,297 stores operating under the new model, Argentina 366 and Portugal 112.