Metro Retail bets P396M on evolution

*_{MRSGI is using the quarantine setbacks as a leverage to propel it to profitability under the new normal. / Photograph courtesy of MRSGI}*

Cebu-based retailer Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. (MRSGI) is investing heavily on reorienting its operations to the digital platform and training of its personnel to respond to the drastic market shifts and to position the company for the ‘next normal’, MRSGI president and chief operating officer Manuel Alberto said.

Alberto noted the retailer will not only focus on stabilizing the business but on making the right investments that will allow the company to be more competitive in the future.

“Given the changes in the retail landscape, we will head towards transforming MRSGI into an organization that is resilient, relevant, and responsive to the changing consumer dynamics,” Alberto said.

Over the next 12 months, transformation efforts will include increasing market reach in both digital and physical channels, optimizing costs by streamlining operations, rationalizing store network and undertaking a workforce rationalization and rightsizing program. These moves are intended to improve profitability and merchandise reach.

The company recognized provisions pertaining to estimated non-recurring expenses in connection with its streamlining of operations and rationalization of stores and workforce amounting to P396.4 million.

As a result, net income after tax decreased by 206 percent over the same period last year. Nonetheless, the company’s liquid position allowed it to declare cash dividends of P205.76 million last May 2020.

9-month P422-M loss
MRSGI posted a net loss of P421.87 million in the nine months of 2020, a reversal of the P398.19 million net income a year ago.

The net loss is driven by the 12.1 percent decline in revenue to P22.22 billion from the previous P25.28 billion as MRSGI’s general merchandise business dipped by 47.1 percent against the same period last year, reeling from the impact of pandemic-related disruptions on consumer spending and customer traffic.

In addition, the company booked one-time cost provisions for store network and manpower rationalization programs, as roadmaps to better

profitability.

Blended same store sales likewise contracted by 16.6 percent over the same period last year due to the decline in sales of the general merchandise business.

EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation & amortization) as of end-September remained solid, however, at P1.1 billion.

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Article and Photo originally posted by Tribune last November 14, 2020 3:00am and written by Jun Yap.