STRONGER sales and improved gross margins lifted Puregold Price Club Inc.’s net income by 10.8 percent in the first half of 2026, despite higher operating expenses.
The company on Thursday said consolidated net income reached P5.87 billion in the January-to-June period, rising from P5.30 billion a year earlier, while consolidated revenues gained 10.6 percent to P121.48 billion from P109.88 billion.The grocery retailer posted positive same-store sales growth during the period, with Puregold stores registering a 3.7-percent increase driven by higher basket size, while S&R warehouse clubs recorded a 12.9-percent increase on stronger customer traffic.Gross profit climbed 12.9 percent to P23.66 billion from P20.95 billion a year earlier, raising the gross margin to 19.5 percent from 19.1 percent, bolstered as well by continued supplier support.Gross operating income, which includes other operating income, increased 12.4 percent to P25.63 billion from P22.81 billion, equivalent to a 21.1-percent gross operating margin.Operating expenses, however, rose 11.7 percent to P16.74 billion from P14.99 billion.Other operating income increased 5.9 percent to P1.97 billion, while other expenses, net of other income, increased to P1.24 billion from P966 million a year earlier.Net income before tax reached P7.65 billion, up 11.5 percent from P6.86 billion in the first half of 2025.Despite the higher expenses, Puregold maintained a net margin of 4.8 percent, unchanged from the year-earlier period.As of end-June, Puregold operated 794 stores nationwide, consisting of 688 Puregold stores, 33 S&R Membership Shopping warehouses and 73 S&R New York Style stores.The company’s store network increased its reach as it continued to expand both its grocery and warehouse club formats.Puregold shares on Thursday were down P0.05, or 0.12 percent, closing at P41.00 each.
