Auchan has posted its 2012 results, announcing a fall in profits while sales increased. The France-based retailer reported a 16.1 per cent fall in net profits to €719 million, coupled with a 14 per cent drop in operating income to €1,245 million, due to non-recurring charges. However, revenues increased 5.8 per cent to €46.9 billion during the year and EBITDA climbed 6.9 per cent to €2.54 billion.
The retailer said its international business now makes up 57 per cent of sales with its domestic market generating the other 43 per cent. France saw sales growth of 2.2 per cent while western Europe saw a slight decline of 0.7 per cent. Central and east Europe and Asia were the main drivers of growth, with sales rising 16.8 per cent. Auchan’s hypermarket division, which represents some 80 per cent of business, delivered growth of 5.4 per cent, totalling €37.3 billion. Its online offering achieved sales of €1.1billion in France, an increase of 21.1 per cent.
Group chairman Vianney Mulliez said, "Despite continued economic strife in Europe in 2012, the Auchan Group succeeded in recording good revenue growth, notably underpinned by the supermarkets and the growth drivers provided by Russia, China and the Drive formats." However, he was cautious about the year ahead, adding, "2013 is set to be another difficult year." (22 March)
