SÃO PAULO, Aug. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Assaí Atacadista
(ASAI), one of Brazil's leading
cash & carry chains, closed the first half of 2024 with net
sales of BRL 35.1 billion, marking a
12.9% year-over-year increase and an additional BRL 4 billion compared to the second half of
2023. This strong performance reflects the maturation of newly
converted stores and a 2.9% increase in same-store sales. Quarterly
net sales reached BRL 17.8 billion,
up 11.8% year-over-year, contributing to a reduction in leverage to
3.65x. Assaí operates under the cash & carry model, similar to
Costco, where "everyone shops, regardless of social class," but
without requiring membership.
Since 2021, Assaí has expanded its business by acquiring
strategic locations in densely populated areas of major cities from
another Brazilian retailer. This strategy has reshaped Brazil's food retail landscape, increasing the
number of stores from 212 at the end of 2021 to 293 today. A
pioneering move in Brazil's cash
& carry sector has been the addition of services such as
butcheries, delis, and wine cellars, which now feature in 80% of
Assaí's stores.
"We closed June with new units, improved profitability, and
reduced leverage, further solidifying our presence
nationwide. Assaí is now present in 1 out of every 4
Brazilian households, and we plan to continue offering competitive
prices with modern and innovative stores, strengthening our
leadership in Brazil's cash &
carry market," said Belmiro Gomes,
CEO of Assaí. In the second half of 2024, Assaí plans to open 10
more stores, reaching 300 by year-end, while focusing on
reducing leverage to below 3.2x, reinforcing it's commitment to
sustainable growth and value creation for shareholders.
The company will continue investing in its "Meu Assaí" app,
which already has 14 million registered users—an increase of 1
million in the last quarter. Additionally, Assaí is launching
marketing campaigns to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
About Assaí
Founded in 1974, Assaí operates under the cash & carry
model, similar to Costco, where "everyone shops, regardless of
social class," but without requiring membership. The company serves
small and medium-sized businesses, as well as end consumers,
offering products in large volumes at competitive prices. With over
290 stores in Brazil, Assaí serves
more than 35 million customers and holds a market share exceeding
30% in the segment.
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