SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest retailer E-Mart reported a sharp improvement in profitability last year despite inflationary pressures and sluggish consumer spending.
In a regulatory filing Wednesday, the company said consolidated revenue for 2025 slipped 0.2 percent from a year earlier to 28.97 trillion won ($21.7 billion), while operating profit surged 584.8 percent to 322.5 billion won.
E-Mart attributed the turnaround largely to cost savings achieved through integrated purchasing, which strengthened price competitiveness and helped draw more shoppers. The company said price-focused promotions that consumers could directly feel helped increase store traffic and sales.
For instance, its flagship discount event, “Whale Eat Festa,” attracted 23 million participants last year, with sales during the campaign rising 28.1 percent compared with the same period a year earlier.
The company said three Starfield Market stores reopened after renovations last year, recording stronger traffic and sales. Visitor numbers at the Ilsan branch rose 61.3 percent after reopening, while sales climbed 74 percent. Customer traffic increased 7.3 percent at Dongtan and 32.4 percent at Gyeongsan, with sales rising 16.5 percent and 19.3 percent, respectively.
Warehouse club chain Traders also posted growth, with annual gross sales rising 8.5 percent to 3.85 trillion won and operating profit climbing 39.9 percent to 129.3 billion won.
Other offline affiliates also delivered solid results. Shinsegae Property reported revenue rising 27.2 percent to 470.8 billion won on stronger Starfield mall operations and development projects, while operating profit increased by 96.7 billion won to 174 billion won.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.