Spinneys, a leading fresh food retailer, has seen its first-half (H1) profit rise 15.2% year-on-year to AED146 million ($40 million) as revenues reached a record high of AED1.6 billion ($440 million), increasing by 9.9% year-on-year. The net profit rise is despite the introduction of 9% Corporate Tax in the UAE. Spinneys’ net profit margin of 9.2% represented a 50 basis point improvement from the prior year.  

 

Gross profit increased by 12.3% year-on-year to reach AED659 million in H1. Spinneys’ gross profit margin was robust, at 41.3%, a 90 basis point improvement versus the prior year. Margin expansion was mainly due to the Group’s efficient sourcing and supply chain capabilities, and successful fresh premium offering and private label strategy. 

 

Adjusted EBITDA totalled AED304 million in the first six months of 2024, up 9.4% year-on-year with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 19%, despite the impact of one-off IPO related costs and pre-store opening expenses in Saudi Arabia. Profit before tax grew by 27.1% year-on-year to AED163 million. 

Spinneys will pay its first post-IPO interim dividend of AED102.6 million, equivalent to 2.85 fils per share and 70% of distributable profits, in August 2024.   

 

Robust demand

Sunil Kumar, Chief Executive Officer at Spinneys, commented: "We are delighted to report record revenues for H1 2024, reflecting robust and growing demand for our unique proposition. These results also mark a significant milestone as we announce our first post-IPO interim dividend, demonstrating our commitment to delivering value to our shareholders.

 

“During the first half of the year, we took a number of important steps in the execution of our strategy, expanding our footprint by opening four new stores including our new innovative foodhall concept, The Kitchen, by Spinneys. We also opened our first-ever store in Saudi Arabia, entering a compelling market where we see immense potential for growth. 

 

The La Strada Yard store in Riyadh has already experienced an exceptional response from customers, highlighting the strong demand that exists for our offering, with early performance reinforcing our already very positive outlook for Spinneys in the kingdom.

 

“Coupled with the successful upgrade of our ecommerce app, which now includes hyperlocal option Spinneys Swift, these achievements underscore our commitment both to growth and innovation and provide us with powerful momentum to carry into the second half of the year."

 

Revenue growth

Revenue grew in H1 driven by like-for-like sales growth of 9.8% supplemented by the H1 2024 opening of four new locations in Al Khawaneej (Dubai), Sobha (Dubai), The Kitchen, by Spinneys in Dubai Mall and the launch of Spinneys’ first store in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, having previously opened one new store at Damac Ventura (Dubai) in the second half of 2023.

 

Transaction growth was healthy, up by 9% year-on-year to 18.3 million for the H1 2024 period.

 

Average basket size was stable, up 0.6% year-on-year, supported by continued strength in customer demand.

 

Delivering on strategy

New store openings: Spinneys opened four new stores in H1 2024, adding 7.9% to its gross selling area (GSA), with the company operating a total of 79 stores as of June 30, 2024, having opened one new store in the second half of 2023. The new store openings were partially offset by the closure of two locations in the corresponding period of the previous year. 

 

Spinneys remains committed to expanding its store footprint, with a healthy pipeline of new locations planned in the UAE, as well as in Saudi Arabia following the highly successful opening of Spinneys at Riyadh’s La Strada Yard. The Kitchen, by Spinneys launched the Company’s first-ever foodhall concept in Dubai Mall during the second quarter, with margins well above grocery retail margins and further locations set to open in the UAE later this year.

 

Online sales and penetration: Spinneys’ ecommerce sales increased by 21.7% year-on-year, surpassing AED217 million for the H1 2024 period. Overall ecommerce sales as a percentage of revenue reached 13.6%, and Spinneys remains committed to enhancing its digital retail offering through the recent refresh of its app to include the Spinneys Swift hyperlocal delivery option, successfully piloting a 60-minute delivery service in four key locations with roll-out continuing across the UAE.--TradeArabia News Service