Lenta Ltd, one of the largest retail chains in Russia, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, announced its reviewed consolidated IFRS results for the half year ending 30 June 2019. In the reported period, total sales grew 3.1 per cent, including retail sales growth of 7.2 per cent and wholesale decline of 62.2 per cent. Gross margin of 22.5 per cent increased as a share of low-margin wholesales business declined in total sales, and retail margin remained almost flat. SG&A rose to 19.1 per cent of sales.
Net interest expenses were Rub 4.7bn, an increase of 1.8 per cent compared to 1H 2018; net loss was Rub 4.5bn with negative Net Profit margin of 2.2% compared to Net Profit of Rub 5.2bn in 1H 2018 with Net Profit margin of 2.7%. Net cash generated from operating activities before net interest and income taxes was Rub 6.1bn compared to Rub 5.1bn in 1H 2018 with an increase of 20.8%.
As of 30 June 2019, Lenta’s capital expenditures were Rub 5.6bn, a decrease of 46.7% compared to 1H 2018 (Rub 10.5bn), and net debt was Rub 99.3bn, compared to Rub 93.3bn at the end of 2018.
In the first half of 2019, a combined total of 78.73% of Lenta’s issued and outstanding voting shares were purchased by Severgroup LLC from TPG, EBRD and minority shareholders. The four vacated seats on the Board were filled in with the nominees of Severgroup.