Grupo DIA closes 2020 with an increase in sales despite the fall in the fourth quarter
MADRID
Updated:
save
Grupo Dia achieved net sales of 1,688 million euros in the fourth quarter of 2020, which represents a decrease of 5.6% compared to the same period of 2019 due to billing crashes in Argentina and Brazil. In the whole of the year, The company, which will present its accounts on February 26, achieved net sales of 6,882.4 million euros, 0.2% more, with a 7.6% increase in comparable sales, as reported this Thursday to the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV).
At the end of the fourth quarter, the group had a total of 6,169 stores in the four countries in which it operates, representing a decrease of 6.9% compared to the 6,626 units with which it had a year earlier.
Between October and December, Dia improved its turnover in Spain by 9%, to 1,143.2 million, and its revenues in Portugal grew another 7.6%, to 157.7 million. However, in Brazil, net sales stood at 212.9 million euros, 33.3% less than in the same period in 2019, and in Argentina they fell more than 36%, to 174.2 million. The supermarket chain has blamed the impact on their accounts of the devaluation of the Brazilian real and the Argentine peso, which only in the last quarter depreciated about 30% against the euro.
Grupo Dia's CEO, Stephan DuCharme, highlighted that the positive performance of comparable sales during the fourth quarter of 2020 has meant a continuation of the trend already observed throughout the year and which was due to the impact of continuous operational improvements, as well as an improved fresh supply that the group offers to its customers when they need it most. «Spain and Portugal have maintained their positive trend in net sales, while the strategic rationalization of our store network, with 7% fewer stores in the year and the currency effect in Brazil and Argentina, affected the general performance of net sales of our group, "he said in the press release.
As the new year begins, as he explained, the company's "tireless effort" in addressing areas for improvement throughout the operational chain will be reinforced by the continuous deployment of its improved franchise model, the development of its 'online' capabilities, the expansion of its own brand offering, as well as the launch of an "interesting" new store model.
Specifically, in Spain the "strong" positive trend in net sales continues, despite having 8% fewer stores in the year. “As we begin the new year, our relentless efforts to address areas for improvement across the entire operational chain will be reinforced by the continued rollout of our enhanced franchise model, the development of our online capabilities, the expansion of our brand offering own, as well as the launch of an interesting new store model.
Likewise, the firm has highlighted the continuous expansion of 'online' services and express delivery to meet customer needs. The express delivery service covers 90% of the population in cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants through its own channels and partnerships.
