Improving Chain-Store Business Profitability Through Enhanced Proficiency
First written in FY2017-Q2. 11 of 40 entries say "Advanced", first in FY2024-Q3. Latest entry: FY2027-H1.
The whole theme swung hardest in 2025: 3 of 31 companies on the "Worse" side.
22 other companies' latest entry also says "Advanced".
- FY2027-H1AdvancedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, the number of new-build and renovation projects increased mainly in the food-service and specialty-store areas, so both net sales and segment profit exceeded the same period of the previous year. As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥13,743 million, up 15.6% year on year, and segment profit was ¥1,429 million, up 63.4%.」
An increase in new-build and renovation projects in the food-service and specialty-store areas resulted in net sales growth of 15.6% and segment profit growth of 63.4%. - FY2026AdvancedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, new-build and renovation projects remained solid mainly in the food-service and other specialty-store areas. However, net sales fell below the previous fiscal year because the number of large flagship stores declined from the previous fiscal year, while segment profit exceeded the previous fiscal year due to initiatives to improve profitability and other factors. As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥25,619 million, down 5.4% from the previous fiscal year, and segment profit was ¥1,984 million, up 8.5%.」
Although net sales declined due to the decrease in large flagship stores, segment profit increased 8.5% as a result of initiatives to improve profitability. - FY2026-H1Slight profit growth despite lower salesAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, the number of new-build and renovation projects increased mainly in the food-service area and at some core apparel stores, and net sales and segment profit both remained solid. As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥11,888 million, down 4.5% year on year, and segment profit was ¥874 million, up 0.4%.」
Although the number of new-build and renovation projects at some core stores in the food-service and apparel areas increased, net sales declined 4.5% and segment profit edged up 0.4%. - FY2025AdvancedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, demand for new-build and renovation projects increased in the food-service and other specialty-store areas as demand recovered, resulting in net sales and segment profit both exceeding the previous fiscal year.」
An increase in demand for new-build and renovation projects in the food-service and other specialty-store areas resulted in full-year net sales growth of 16.3% and segment profit growth of 62.4%. - FY2025-H1AdvancedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, the number of new-build and renovation projects increased mainly in the food-service and other specialty-store areas, so both net sales and segment profit exceeded the same period of the previous year. As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥12,448 million, up 13.2% year on year, and segment profit was ¥871 million, up 86.3%.」
An increase in new-build and renovation projects in the food-service and other specialty-store areas resulted in net sales growth of 13.2% and segment profit growth of 86.3%, marking further progress in higher sales and profit. - FY2025-Q1AdvancedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, demand recovered from the same quarter of the previous year, and the number of new-build and renovation projects increased mainly in the food-service and other specialty-store areas, resulting in higher net sales and segment profit than in the same quarter of the previous year.」
An increase in new-build and renovation projects in the food-service and other specialty-store areas resulted in net sales growth of 20.3% and segment profit growth of 81.5%, marking further progress in higher sales and profit. - FY2024-Q3AdvancedAnnual report
「As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥17,301 million, up 27.5% year on year, and segment profit was ¥739 million, up 166.2%.」
The recovery in demand and increase in new-build and renovation projects in the food-service and other specialty-store areas resulted in net sales growth of 27.5% and segment profit growth of 166.2%. - FY2024-Q2MitigatedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, demand recovered as restrictions on economic activity were eased. The number of new-build and renovation projects increased mainly in the food-service and other specialty-store areas, resulting in higher net sales and segment profit than in the same quarter of the previous year.」
From higher net sales but lower profit in the first quarter, cumulative second-quarter net sales increased 14.9% and segment profit increased 15.9%, improving to higher sales and profit. - FY2024-Q1MitigatedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, demand recovered from the same quarter of the previous year as restrictions on economic activity related to COVID-19 were eased, and net sales exceeded the same quarter of the previous year. However, segment profit fell below the same quarter of the previous year, partly because the challenging order environment continued.」
From full-year declines of 7.4% in net sales and 42.2% in segment profit, the first quarter saw net sales recover to a 11.9% increase and the decline in segment profit narrow to 15.8%. However, profit remained below the same period of the previous year. - FY2023WorsenedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, net sales and segment profit both fell below the previous fiscal year due to lower demand resulting from restrained capital investment and cancelled store-opening plans caused by higher energy and raw-material prices, as well as intensified price competition.」
Restrained capital investment due to higher energy and raw-material prices, cancelled store-opening plans and intensified price competition resulted in net sales declining 7.4% and segment profit declining 42.2%. - FY2023-Q3WorsenedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, net sales and segment profit both fell below the same quarter of the previous year due to lower demand resulting from restrained capital investment and cancelled store-opening plans amid higher prices caused by the yen’s depreciation, as well as intensified price competition.」
From higher sales and profit on a cumulative second-quarter basis, the business turned to declines of 2.5% in net sales and 22.5% in segment profit due to restrained capital investment, cancelled store-opening plans and intensified price competition resulting from the yen’s depreciation and higher prices. - FY2023-Q2Continued revenue and profit growth, with a narrower increaseAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, demand recovered as restrictions on economic activity related to COVID-19 were eased. The number of new-build and renovation projects increased mainly in the food-service and other specialty-store areas, resulting in higher net sales and segment profit than in the same quarter of the previous year. As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥9,565 million, up 2.8% year on year, and segment profit was ¥403 million, up 67.3%.」
Higher demand and an increase in new-build and renovation projects in the food-service and other specialty-store areas continued to drive higher net sales and profit, although the year-on-year growth rates narrowed from the previous report. - FY2023-Q1MitigatedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, demand recovered from the same quarter of the previous year as restrictions on economic activity related to COVID-19 were gradually eased. The number of new-build and renovation projects increased mainly in the food-service and other specialty-store areas, resulting in higher net sales and segment profit than in the same quarter of the previous year.」
The business improved from lower profit despite higher sales in the previous full fiscal year to net sales growth of 8.5% and segment profit growth of 152.3%, driven by an increase in new-build and renovation projects in the food-service and other specialty-store areas. - FY2022Wider earnings decline despite revenue growthAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, net sales were roughly unchanged from the previous fiscal year, but segment profit fell below the previous fiscal year due to intensified price competition and other factors resulting from changes in market conditions caused by the spread of COVID-19.」
Full-year net sales increased 0.7%, while segment profit declined 38.0% due to intensified price competition and other factors. - FY2022-Q3MitigatedAnnual report
「As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥13,918 million, down 10.5% year on year, and segment profit was ¥358 million, down 60.8%.」
Although net sales and profit continued to decline, the magnitude of the declines narrowed from 13.2% for net sales and 64.3% for segment profit on a cumulative previous-quarter basis to 10.5% and 60.8%, respectively. - FY2022-Q2MitigatedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, net sales and segment profit both fell below the same quarter of the previous year due to the deterioration in market conditions and other factors resulting from the prolonged impact of the spread of COVID-19. As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥9,304 million, down 13.2% year on year, and segment profit was ¥241 million, down 64.3%.」
Although the declines in net sales and profit continued, the magnitude of the declines narrowed from 26.0% for net sales and 70.5% for segment profit in the previous quarter to 13.2% and 64.3%, respectively. - FY2022-Q1WorsenedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, net sales and segment profit both fell below the same quarter of the previous year due to the deterioration in market conditions and other factors resulting from the prolonged impact of the spread of COVID-19. As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥4,640 million, down 26.0% year on year, and segment profit was ¥139 million, down 70.5%.」
From full-year declines of 8.8% in net sales and 23.9% in segment profit, the first quarter saw declines widen to 26.0% and 70.5%, respectively, as market conditions deteriorated due to the prolonged impact of the infection. - FY2021WorsenedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, net sales and segment profit both fell below the previous fiscal year due to the deterioration in market conditions and other factors resulting from the spread of COVID-19. As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥19,598 million, down 8.8% from the previous fiscal year, and segment profit was ¥939 million, down 23.9%.」
The business moved from lower net sales and profit due to a decline in large-scale projects on a cumulative third-quarter basis to full-year declines of 8.8% in net sales and 23.9% in segment profit. - FY2021-Q3WorsenedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, the number of large-scale projects declined mainly in the food-service and other specialty-store areas, so both net sales and segment profit fell below the same quarter of the previous year. As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥15,554 million, down 5.2% year on year, and segment profit was ¥915 million, down 21.0%.」
Although cumulative net sales and segment profit for the second quarter were up 8.9% and 14.0%, respectively, cumulative net sales and segment profit for the third quarter turned down as the number of large-scale projects declined. - FY2021-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, the number of large-scale projects increased mainly in the food-service and other specialty-store areas, so both net sales and segment profit exceeded the same quarter of the previous year. As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥10,716 million, up 8.9% year on year, and segment profit was ¥674 million, up 14.0%.」
The increase in large-scale projects in the food-service and other specialty-store areas continued to support higher net sales and segment profit than in the same period of the previous year. - FY2021-Q1MitigatedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, despite the impact of suspended construction and changes to construction schedules resulting from the spread of COVID-19, net sales and segment profit both exceeded the same quarter of the previous year, mainly because the number of large-scale projects increased in the food-service and other specialty-store areas. As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥6,269 million, up 13.6% year on year, and segment profit was ¥471 million, up 17.1%.」
From a decline in profit in the previous full fiscal year, both net sales and segment profit increased year on year due to an increase in large-scale projects in the food-service and other specialty-store areas. - FY2020WorsenedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, the food-service and other specialty-store areas continued to perform solidly, and net sales exceeded the previous fiscal year. However, profit fell below the previous fiscal year because profitability was insufficient.」
Although the food-service and other specialty-store areas generated higher sales, operating profit declined 16.8% year on year, marking a shift from improved profitability to lower profit. - FY2020-Q3MitigatedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, the food-service and other specialty-store areas remained solid, so both net sales and operating profit exceeded the same quarter of the previous year.」
The business improved from higher food-service sales accompanied by a 6.8% decline in operating profit in the previous quarter to higher net sales and operating profit, supported by the solid performance of the food-service and other specialty-store areas. - FY2020-Q2Profit declined despite higher food-service sales.Annual report
「In the chain-store business, net sales exceeded the same quarter of the previous year as the food-service area remained solid, but operating profit fell below the same quarter of the previous year. As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥9,840 million, up 0.6% year on year, and operating profit was ¥592 million, down 6.8%.」
The explanation shifted from previous references to lower apparel sales and carried-forward projects. This quarter, the food-service area’s strength led to higher net sales, while operating profit declined 6.8%. - FY2020-Q1The factor behind the decline in profit changed to a decrease in apparel sales.Annual report
「In the chain-store business, sales in the apparel area declined from the same quarter of the previous year, resulting in lower operating profit as well. Net sales in the chain-store business were ¥5,521 million, down 6.3% year on year, and operating profit was ¥402 million, down 14.7%.」
Although the declines in net sales and operating profit continued, the main factor cited this quarter changed from the carryover of long-term and large-scale projects to a decline in sales in the apparel area. - FY2019-Q3WorsenedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, order trends remained solid in both the apparel and food-service areas, but some long-term and large-scale projects were carried forward to the following quarter or later. As a result, both net sales and operating profit fell below the same quarter of the previous year. Net sales in the chain-store business were ¥15,338 million, down 3.3% year on year, and operating profit was ¥995 million, down 17.0%.」
Although order trends were described as solid, the carryover of long-term and large-scale projects resulted in net sales declining 3.3% and operating profit declining 17.0%, with the declines in both continuing. - FY2019-Q2WorsenedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, some projects in both the apparel and food-service areas became longer-term and larger in scale, increasing the number of projects carried forward. As a result, both net sales and operating profit fell below the same quarter of the previous year. Net sales in the chain-store business were ¥9,781 million, down 11.5% year on year, and operating profit was ¥635 million, down 24.7%.」
Net sales and operating profit remained below the same period of the previous year, as in the first quarter of the previous fiscal year, with the declines widening to 11.5% for net sales and 24.7% for operating profit. Longer project durations, larger projects and an increase in projects carried forward were cited as factors. - FY2019-Q1SoftenedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, profitability was maintained, but net sales in both the apparel and food-service areas declined from the same quarter of the previous year, resulting in lower operating profit as well. As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥5,891 million, down 10.5% year on year, and operating profit was ¥472 million, down 13.2%.」
The explanation that profitability was maintained remains, but improved proficiency is no longer explicitly identified as the reason for maintaining profitability. Net sales declined 10.5% and operating profit declined 13.2%. - FY2018RestatedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, all three areas, apparel, food service and other specialty stores, remained solid. Proficiency increased and profitability was also maintained, so both net sales and operating profit exceeded the previous fiscal year.」
The explanation that profitability was maintained through increased proficiency continued, with full-year net sales up 20.0% and operating profit up 19.8%. - FY2018-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, all three areas, apparel, food service and other specialty stores, remained solid. Profitability was also maintained as proficiency increased, so both net sales and operating profit exceeded the same quarter of the previous year.」
The explanation that profitability was maintained through improved proficiency continued, with net sales up 19.0% and operating profit up 16.9%. - FY2018-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, all three areas, apparel, food service and other specialty stores, remained solid. Profitability was also maintained as proficiency increased, so both net sales and operating profit exceeded the same quarter of the previous year.」
The explanation that profitability was maintained through improved proficiency continued from the previous quarter, and both net sales and operating profit exceeded the same period of the previous year. - FY2018-Q1SoftenedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, all three areas, apparel, food service and other specialty stores, remained solid. Profitability was also maintained as proficiency increased, so both net sales and operating profit exceeded the same quarter of the previous year. As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥6,581 million, up 26.9% year on year, and operating profit was ¥544 million, up 13.6%.」
The wording changed this quarter from the previous explanation, which cited improved proficiency as a factor behind higher profitability, to an explanation that profitability was “maintained.” However, net sales and operating profit both exceeded the same period of the previous year. - FY2017RestatedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, all three areas, apparel, food service and other specialty stores, remained solid. Proficiency increased and profitability also improved, so both net sales and operating profit exceeded the previous fiscal year.」
The explanation continues to identify increased proficiency as a factor behind higher profitability, with full-year net sales up 5.8% and operating profit up 53.4%. - FY2017-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, all three areas, apparel, food service and other specialty stores, remained solid. Profitability also improved as proficiency increased, so both net sales and operating profit exceeded the same quarter of the previous year. As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥13,337 million, up 22.8% year on year, and operating profit was ¥1,025 million, up 157.5%.」
The explanation continues to identify improved proficiency as a factor behind higher profitability, with net sales up 22.8% and operating profit up 157.5%. - FY2017-Q2First statedAnnual report
「In the chain-store business, all three areas, apparel, food service and other specialty stores, remained solid. Profitability also improved as proficiency increased, so both net sales and operating profit exceeded the same quarter of the previous year. As a result, net sales in the chain-store business were ¥8,745 million, up 16.3% year on year, and operating profit was ¥669 million, up 92.8%.」
The explanation identifies improved proficiency as a means of raising profitability and presents year-on-year results for net sales and operating profit.