Belc CO.,LTD.

The Belc Group is a corporate group operating supermarkets in Japan. As of 31 August 2026, it had 151 stores in total, comprising 147 Belc stores and 4 Kurve stores. During the interim consolidated accounting period, the Group pursued its management strategy under the slogan “Better Quality & Lower Price,” promoting the sale of tastier, fresher products, price competitiveness, and the development of stores supported and trusted by customers. It expanded its range of in-house-developed products, including the private brand “くらしにベルク kurabelc（クラベルク）.” Based on a standardised corporate structure, the Group reviewed appropriate staffing levels and the use of labour-saving equipment, and implemented measures to improve the productivity of its chain operations. In logistics, it leveraged bulk procurement from production areas and manufacturers to improve the efficiency of its in-house logistics operations. As group companies, Home Delica Co., Ltd. strengthened its product supply system and worked to provide products offering value at its newly opened Home Delica Third Factory, while Joytech Co., Ltd. worked to strengthen the Group’s service operations, including the supply and development of fixtures, consumables and materials for sale. In April 2026, the Group opened the new Kawasaki-Shimosakunobe store in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, and in May opened the Ariake store in Koto-ku, Tokyo. Meanwhile, it closed the Green Walk store in Hachioji, Tokyo, in May and the Harbor City store in Chiba, Chiba Prefecture, in July. As of the end of August 2026, the Group had 151 stores in total, comprising 147 Belc stores and 4 Kurve stores. In logistics, the Group continued to improve delivery efficiency by leveraging its in-house logistics operations and to review its delivery system in line with store operations. Net sales increased to 102.8% of the prior-year level, while operating profit was 77.8% and interim net income was 74.6% of the prior-year levels, resulting in higher sales but lower profit. Rising raw material prices and higher product manufacturing costs affected product purchase prices, resulting in a gross profit margin of 26.4%, down 0.1 percentage point year on year, and an SG&A ratio of 24.9%, up 1.0 percentage point year on year. From the third quarter onward, the Group plans to focus on securing customer traffic.