CU operator BGF Retail reported stronger second-quarter earnings as heat-driven demand, higher foreign tourist spending and improved consumer sentiment offset one-off logistics strike costs and lifted margins.
BGF Retail, the operator of convenience store chain CU, reported second-quarter earnings that exceeded market expectations. Consolidated revenue rose 6.0% year-on-year to ₩2.43 trillion, operating profit increased 22.3% to ₩84.9 billion, and net profit climbed 7.6% to ₩56.8 billion. For the first half, revenue rose 5.6% to ₩4.55 trillion, operating profit surged 33.7% to ₩123 billion, and net profit increased 30.1% to ₩86.1 billion. The company attributed the performance to fewer rainy days and higher temperatures that boosted demand for high-margin summer categories such as beverages and ice cream, a better sales mix supported by improving consumer sentiment and government relief measures, and a 60.1% increase in revenue from foreign customers. Gross profit rose 8% to ₩463.8 billion, lifting the gross margin to 19.1% from 18.7%, while the selling, general and administrative expense ratio edged down to 15.6% from 15.7%. BGF Retail said these gains offset one-off costs tied to a logistics strike. Differentiated products including the "Crack-and-Eat Dessert" series and the private-brand home meal replacement line "PBICK The Kitchen" performed strongly, while the company is expanding its customer-segmented store strategy through "Smart Grocery" formats and more tourist-focused and international food stores.