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During the second half of March, in Chile, the e-commerce of its retailers registered an increase of 48%. They already have 20,000 users in their Fazil application.
Despite the health crisis that began to be seen since in March in Chile and other countries in the region, sales of the Falabella group during the first quarter totaled US $ 2,628 million, a decrease of only 0.6% compared to the same period of the previous year, mainly explained by the deterioration of the retail and real estate businesses and partially offset by the appreciation of the Peruvian sol against the Chilean peso.
In the retail segment, measured in local currency of each country, department store sales showed declines in Peru (-20.5%), Chile (-15.6%) and Colombia (-5.5%); while that of home improvement had less pronounced declines in Peru (-14.4%), Chile (-7.6%), Colombia (-3.2%) and Brazil (-0.3%). In Argentina, both added revenues, with 24.3% and 2.7%, respectively.
The supermarket segment, present in Chile and Peru, It was more stable with no variation in the national territory and an expansion of 11.2% in the Inca country, measured in local currency.
In the financial business, “Banco Falabella presented revenues that grew 1.7% in the quarter, mainly derived from the 5.3% annual increase in the loan portfolio,” the company detailed.
The Falabella group reported a net profit of US $ 20 million and an Ebitda of US $ 248 million, which represents a drop of 76% and 24%, respectively, compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
The company’s general manager, Gaston Bottazzini, noted that “Our quarterly results were affected by the health crisis that impacted our operation during the last three weeks of March. The restrictions imposed by the quarantines were partially offset by unprecedented growth in digital channels. In this context, our main priority has been to ensure our operational continuity, taking care of the health and well-being of our clients and collaborators “.
The expansion of the online business and the first users of Fazil
The company’s great commitment has been to move from a strong business in physical stores to a digital one. Thus, during the first quarters Online product sales reached US $ 281 million, an increase of 24%. “The aforementioned was especially driven by a 97% increase in the sale of third-party products, through their Marketplace and a 10% increase in the sale of their own merchandise,” he explained.
This expansion was seen more prominently since the second half of March. The company explained that in Chile, online sales of Falabella retailers registered an increase of 48%, in that period, the one that coincides with the first strict quarantine measures. In April and so far in May this same trend continues.
“This is in contrast to the performance of total sales of retail businesses that fell, during the same period, 54% in all the countries where the company operates,” the company explained.
In addition, the company launched the Fazil application in Chile in March, with which it will compete with Cornershop and others in the segment. “This (app) will allow users to access the stock of products available in Tottus stores and other stores during the day, as well as schedule dispatches according to their convenience, monitor in real time the status of their order and interact with the person in charge of make and deliver the purchase. To date and in its pilot version, Fazil already has approximately 20,000 users “, said.
MallPlaza profits fall 26%, strategy continues for gradual opening
On the side of its shopping center operator, Mallplaza detailed to the regulator that it decreased its sales by 4%, generating $ 74,415 million as of March. The firm indicated that this is mainly due to lower rental income for days closed due to the health emergency. Without that, they would have expanded 5.4%.
Meanwhile, regarding the profits attributable to the owners of the parent, it also showed a drop. If in 2019 they achieved $ 30,749 million, in 2020 it was $ 22,614 million, which concludes with a decrease of 26%.
Meanwhile, Ebitda registered a decrease of 7%, totaling $ 58.399 million in the first three months of 2020, which compares to $ 62.891 million in 2019.
As they pointed out at its shareholders’ meeting, Mallplaza is working on a gradual strategy to begin opening in its shopping centers. So far, the company has maintained its centers operating since March 19 with an average 25% of the leasable area in the region, which is intended to supply basic products and services, such as supermarkets, health centers , services, among others.
Meanwhile, 70% of its shopping centers, specifically in Chile and Colombia, operate gastronomic commercial partners under the delivery modality.
“Today we are implementing a gradual, safe, coordinated and sustainable opening, with reduced hours and in coordination with the authorities and business partners. We seek to provide a safe visit experience to our visitors and collaborators,” explained Pablo Cortés, Manager in the report. Corporate Administration and Finance.
Regarding upcoming openings, he specified that the conditions to enable new services and shops are evaluated day by day. “We are working with the authorities and coordinating with our commercial partners the required conditions so that they can open their stores to the extent that they can guarantee all the preventive measures that we request as a commercial center,” he said.
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