Sales growth in large appliances, HBC and apparel

「家電部　108.8％　アパレル部　104.7％　HBC部　106.7％」

「By product category, air conditioner sales grew significantly against the backdrop of the "2027 problem," while pet food, daily food products and processed foods, on which the company strengthened value-focused pricing, also performed well amid continued inflation. In contrast, rice sales declined due to the pullback from the strong sales of government reserve rice in the prior fiscal year.」

「Total-store sales reached a record high of ¥142,134 million, or 108.2% of the prior fiscal year. By product category, rice sales increased significantly as the company offered a broad range from new-crop rice to reserve rice amid socially problematic increases in rice prices.」

「Same-store sales were 101.9% of the prior-year level, exceeding the prior year for 17 consecutive months, while same-store customer traffic increased to 103.1% year on year for the seventh consecutive month.」

「As rising rice prices caused by supply shortages became a social issue, the company responded quickly to the government's emergency measure of releasing reserve rice and began selling reserve rice in June. By offering a broad range from branded rice to reserve rice, it significantly increased rice sales and also helped attract more customers. Sales of laundry detergent, pet food, kitchenware and processed foods grew following price-cutting campaigns in response to rising prices. Sales of products related to games also increased following the launch of Nintendo Switch 2.」

「Total-store sales reached a record high of ¥131,331 million, or 105.5% of the prior fiscal year. By product category, rice sales increased significantly as demand rose amid market shortages, with the company's proactive procurement efforts proving effective. Sales of laundry detergent, pet food and processed foods, on which the company emphasized value-focused pricing in response to growing consumer thrift, also remained strong.」

「Rice sales increased significantly as shortages in the market drove demand higher. Sales of laundry detergent, pet food and disposable diapers, on which the company actively emphasized value-focused pricing through app campaigns and other initiatives, remained strong. For private-label products, strengthening the product range in appliances, paper products and food resulted in sales of 114.6% of the prior-year level. Their share of sales increased by 1.7 percentage points from the prior-year period to 21.6%. In addition, heightened disaster awareness following earthquakes and typhoons during the period drove significant growth in disaster-prevention goods, emergency food and processed foods.」

「By product category, customers valued the "valuable low prices" offered on products such as laundry detergent, insecticides, disposable diapers and pet food, supported by app campaigns and value-focused pricing. Sales also grew in appliances, kitchenware and interior products, for which the company strengthened sales efforts to meet demand related to moving into a new home.」

「By product category, sales of beverages, instant noodles and pet supplies, on which the company emphasized EDLP, remained solid, reflecting increased consumer thrift amid rising prices. Private-label product sales reached 115.1% of the prior-year level as the company provided "valuable low prices" by consolidating production facilities and reviewing procurement.」

「By product category, food products such as rice, bread, bottled beverages and seasonings, on which the company emphasized EDLP, and pet supplies remained solid, reflecting stronger consumer thrift. Large appliances such as energy-efficient air conditioners and refrigerators also performed well as the company strengthened its product range. While sales of COVID-related products such as masks declined, cosmetics and shoes grew as opportunities to go out increased.」

「Although sales of profitable private-label products increased, the gross margin fell 1.1 percentage points due to lower sales of high-margin COVID-related products such as masks and test kits, as well as higher costs. As a result, gross profit was ¥13,837 million, or 97.4% of the prior fiscal year.」

「Against a backdrop of growing consumer thrift, customers valued MrMax's "valuable low prices," with sales of private-label products increasing 20% year on year. In addition, the company's ability to control product inventories helped improve the gross margin by 0.3 percentage points from the prior fiscal year to 22.7%.」

「Same-store sales for the first nine months of the fiscal year reached 101.5% of the prior-year level. The company consistently strengthened its EDLP strategy by freezing prices on private-label products from March to August and launching a price-cutting campaign covering 2,000 national-brand products from September. Amid continued inflation, customers valued the product range of the comprehensive discount stores, with sales increasing mainly in value-focused products. Appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners also performed well as consumers became more conscious of saving electricity.」

「By product category, appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines performed well by capturing stronger demand related to moving into a new home than in the prior year. Bicycles, carry-on bags and nonwoven masks also remained strong as opportunities to go out increased, while daily food products and fresh food were weak as stay-at-home consumption moderated.」

「By product category, appliances and apparel struggled, while the lifestyle division benefited from growth in pet supplies and gardening products as restrictions on going out continued. The food division remained solid, led by confectionery, liquor and seasonings. In addition, as opportunities to go out gradually increased, the HBC division remained resilient, supported by growth in nonwoven masks and oral-care products.」

「By product category, sales of hygiene-related products such as masks and air purifiers, which saw a sharp increase in demand last year, declined on a difficult comparison, while large 4K TVs, health and personal-care appliances, and pet supplies grew. From September onward, heating equipment such as air conditioners and food performed well.」

「By product category, sales declined mainly in higher-priced products such as appliances and interior goods, reflecting a pullback from last year's sharp increase in demand and the distribution of special cash benefits. In contrast, pet supplies and gardening products continued to outperform the prior year, while stay-at-home products that had gained popularity during the pandemic grew. Computer peripherals such as home printers also performed well.」

「By product category, sales of food and hygiene products, which had surged last year, declined on a difficult comparison, while sales of health-related products such as non-contact thermometers grew in appliances, in addition to air conditioners. Outdoor-related products such as bicycles and camping equipment also performed well, while demand remained strong for gardening and DIY products as people continued to spend more time at home. As a result, operating revenue for the first quarter was ¥30,566 million, down 6.8% year on year. Same-store sales were 92.9% of the prior-year level, and customer traffic was 88.5%.」

「As a result, same-store sales for the first nine months of the fiscal year reached 109.4% of the prior-year level, while customer traffic was 102.6%. By product category, appliances such as humidifiers and air purifiers performed particularly well, and outdoor goods also remained strong. In addition, stay-at-home products grew significantly, including kitchenware, interior products, liquor and food, as well as training equipment, as people spent more time at home.」

「As a result, same-store sales reached 113.6% of the prior-year level, while customer traffic was 104.2%. By product category, large appliances such as air conditioners and TVs performed particularly well, while products associated with stay-at-home consumption, including kitchenware, interior products, liquor and daily food products, grew significantly as people spent more time at home.」

「Although operating hours were reduced, all stores remained open, and same-store sales reached 113.0% of the prior-year level, while customer traffic was 106.9%. By product category, food sales rose significantly, led by processed foods and daily food products, while stay-at-home consumption increased demand for household necessities, supporting strong sales of appliances, interior and storage products, toys and pet supplies.」

「Food 40,580 104.1 HBC 24,741 103.4 Appliances 16,962 105.3 Lifestyle 15,601 101.8 Home living 11,123 100.6 Apparel 8,505 98.9」

「By product category, sales rose significantly in appliances, where refrigerators and washing machines captured front-loaded demand ahead of the consumption tax increase, while sales also increased in food, led by confectionery and liquor, and in lifestyle, led by pet supplies and toys.」

「During the first six months of the fiscal year, same-store sales performed well at 101.5% of the prior-year level, supported by customer acceptance of the "Power Price" product range focused on exceptionally low prices and bulk-buying campaigns ahead of the consumption tax increase in October. By product category, sales rose significantly in appliances, where refrigerators and washing machines captured front-loaded demand ahead of the tax increase, while sales also increased in food, led by confectionery and processed foods.」

「By product category, sales rose significantly in the food division, where confectionery and processed foods performed well, and in the appliances division, led by large appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines. The company also captured demand during the extended Golden Week holiday, resulting in same-store sales of 103.5% of the prior-year level.」

「Food: ¥38,969 million (102.8% year on year), HBC: ¥23,933 million (98.5%), Appliances: ¥16,112 million (97.5%), Lifestyle: ¥15,325 million (102.1%)」

「During the cumulative third quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year, sales were strong for original 4K-compatible televisions launched ahead of the start of 4K broadcasting in December 2018 and for rice, for which the range of popular varieties was expanded by region. Operating revenue for the cumulative third quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year (sales + rental income from real estate + other operating revenue) was ¥87,928 million, down 0.5% year on year. The food segment, including beverages and rice, increased sales, while there were reactionary declines in demand for disposable diapers and other products following the inbound tourism boom, as well as in toy sales following the launch of hit products in the previous year.」

「Operating revenue for the cumulative consolidated period (sales + rental income from real estate + other operating revenue) was ¥60,302 million, down 0.6% year on year. The food segment increased sales on strong performance in beverages and rice, while there were reactionary declines in demand for disposable diapers and other products following the inbound tourism boom, as well as in toy sales following the launch of hit products in the previous year.」

「Operating revenue for the cumulative consolidated period (sales + rental income from real estate + other operating revenue) was ¥28,392 million, down 2.2% year on year. The food segment increased sales on strong performance in rice and processed foods, while there were reactionary declines in demand for disposable diapers and other products following the inbound tourism boom, as well as in toy sales following the launch of hit products in the previous year.」

「Supported by strong same-store sales of 102.4% of the same period of the previous year, total-store sales were also 99.4% of the same period of the previous year.」

「During the cumulative third quarter of the current fiscal year, sales of original 4K-compatible televisions launched ahead of the start of 4K broadcasting in December 2018 and rice, for which the range of popular varieties was expanded by region, were strong. This offset the impact of the temporary closure of 2 stores in the Kumamoto area following the Kumamoto Earthquake of April 2016, and same-store sales, including stores that were temporarily closed, remained strong at 102.6% of the same period of the previous year. Despite the impact of 3 store closures compared with the same period of the previous year, total-store sales were 99.9% of the same period of the previous year, enabling us to secure sales broadly in line with the previous period.」

「Although there were effects including the temporary closure of 2 stores in the Kumamoto area following the Kumamoto Earthquake of April 2016, sales increased in the electrical appliances segment, which performed well on large appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners; the HBC (Health and Beauty Care) segment, which performed well on seasonal cosmetics and disposable diapers; and the apparel segment, which performed well on fashion accessories and shoes. As a result, net sales were 102.4% of the same period of the previous year.」