丸善CHIホールディングス reports higher interim profit, as its library support business and other operations offset the post-Expo revenue decline

Maruzen CHI Holdings released its interim results for the period from 1 February 2026 to 31 July 2026. Revenue was down 2.5% year on year at ¥90.224 billion, while operating profit was up 8.1% at ¥3.070 billion. Although some businesses posted lower revenue following the reversal of the special demand generated by the Expo, profitability improvements in several businesses contributed to higher profit.

By segment, the library support business posted higher revenue and profit, backed by an increase in the number of libraries under contract. The number reached 1,880 at the end of the period, comprising 630 public libraries, 263 university libraries and 987 school libraries and other facilities. With labor and utility costs continuing to rise, expansion of the contract library base and operational efficiency gains supported profit.

The store and online sales business saw revenue fall 9.5% and operating profit decline 42.6% following the reversal of the special demand at the official store in the Expo venue. Meanwhile, although book sales to universities and public libraries remained sluggish, the educational market sales business posted an 11.7% increase in operating profit, helped by the completion of design and construction projects. The publishing business also returned to profitability.

The three pillars of the medium-term management plan are “promoting the use of group assets,” “creating growth areas” and “transforming the earnings structure.” The company is pursuing measures including scaling back unprofitable operations, M&A and overseas expansion in response to challenges in the educational market and its store network. The full-year forecast for the fiscal year ending January 2027 remains unchanged. The year-end dividend is expected to be ¥6 per share.