In January–June, the retail sales before taxes of S Group’s supermarket trade totalled EUR 5,218.8 million. Compared to the corresponding period in the previous year, sales grew by 2.9 per cent. In the supermarket trade, sales of both the grocery and consumer goods segments in Finland continued to grow faster than the rest of the market.

The varying weather in the second quarter was clearly reflected in the demand of the supermarket trade: The hot weather in May after the chilly April boosted sales of seasonal products in particular, increasing sales in product groups such as yard and gardening, home appliances and bicycling. S Group’s grocery stores, meanwhile, saw increased demand for barbecue products, ice cream and beverages during the hot weather.

“One notable event in this period was the addition of alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of up to 8% to our product ranges in mid-June. The products have garnered attention from a wide variety of customers in our grocery store chains. Wines and stronger beers in particular have been interesting to customers. Sparkling wines, white wines and products with small package sizes have been popular products in the first weeks of sales, for example,” says Hannu Krook, CEO of SOK.

Electric charging sales doubled due to expansion of ABC charging network

S Group’s service station store and fuel sales in January–June amounted to EUR 1,008.8 million. Sales in euros decreased by three per cent from the previous year’s level because of the fall in the world market prices of fuels. The chilly weather and labour action in the early year reduced road traffic compared to the previous year. However, traffic volumes started increasing again in May, increasing demand for the services of ABC service stations.

“When we take the fluctuations in road traffic volumes into account, sales in the first half of the year were good in S Group’s service station store and fuel sales. The development has also been positive in car wash services and ABC service stations’ restaurants and stores. Electric charging sales increased to approximately double the level in the previous year, and sales continue to grow in the summer as the holiday season has kicked off and people are travelling within Finland,” says Hannu Krook.

Department stores and speciality stores outperforming the market

S Group’s department store and speciality store trade’s sales growth outperformed the market in the first half of the year, amounting to EUR 124.4 million in January–June. This represents an increase of 1.7 per cent compared to the previous year. Sales in the Sokos and Emotion chains were boosted by highly successful campaigns. For example, the 3+1 Days campaign that took place at the start of Q2 broke sales records.

In April, the Sokos chain expanded with the addition of a new store as KPO Cooperative Society opened a new department store in Vaasa, making it the chain’s 21st location. In addition to brick-and-mortar stores, the sales growth of the Sokos.fi online store continued to be strong, outperforming the previous year’s level each month in January–June.

Sales in the travel industry and hospitality business remained at the previous year’s level

Sales in S Group’s travel industry and hospitality business amounted to EUR 382.7 million in January–June. Sales remained at the same level as in the previous year. In Q2, the hot weather in May and the holiday season starting in June boosted sales in hotels and restaurants.

“The difficult economic situation was reflected in service demand in the first half of the year. Considering the challenging situation, however, S Group’s hotels and restaurants have performed well. We’ve carried out long-term investments in our network and services, and we’re entering the summer season in good condition,” says Hannu Krook.

The retail sales before taxes of regional cooperative enterprises, SOK and their subsidiaries 1–6/2024

Supermarket trade includes S Group’s grocery trade and Prisma consumer goods trade.

*Includes sales in Estonia.

S Group and SOK Corporation’s interim reports will be published on Tuesday 27 August 2024.