7-Eleven Malaysia says its net profit surged 29.4 per cent in the latest quarter as internal reorganisation began to pay off. Net sales inched up by just 0.4 per cent during the same time.

Incoming CEO Colin Harvey – into the role just two weeks – said while the result was satisfying there is still room for improvement on key metrics.

“I am confident that a strategy roadmap focussed on strengthening the key areas of assortment, supply chain, operational excellence, store base, and digitally enabling the organisation will bear fruit in terms of financial performance, and overall customer shopping experience,” he said.

Revenue for the quarter reached RM557.6 million (US$135 million) on the back of new stores and improved consumer promotion strategies. Post-tax profit reached RM13.1 million, up (US$3.17 million).

Revenue for the first half reached RM1.09 billion, 1.4 per cent against the same time last year, while post-tax profit was up 21.6 per cent to RM3.9 million.

The company’s board expects trading conditions during the next quarter to improve, with anticipated heightened consumer sentiment. “We expect to see further improvements in the next quarter by pursuing our core strategy pillars of operations excellence, cost management and commercial innovation.”

At the end of the second half, 7-Eleven Malaysia operated 2241 stores.

Inside Retail Asia