E-Mart achieved a first-quarter operating profit of 178.3 billion won, marking an 11.9% increase from the previous year and the highest level since the first quarter of 2012. This figure surpasses the prior peak of 190.5 billion won, representing the strongest performance in 14 years.
Revenue Trends and Core Business Strength
Total sales dipped 1.3% to 7.1234 trillion won. However, separate sales rose 1.9% to 4.7152 trillion won, while operating profit climbed 9.7% to 146.3 billion won. The company credits this to enhanced core operations focused on price, product, and space innovations that boosted customer engagement in groceries, processed foods, and public offerings.
Store renewals, including Starfield Market, played a key role. Renovated Staple Food Market at Ilsan saw sales jump 75.1% year-over-year, with Dongtan and Gyeongshan stores increasing by 12.1% and 18.5%, respectively. One location reported a 104.3% sales surge.
Subsidiary Highlights
Traders recorded its highest-ever first-quarter sales, up 9.7% to 1.601 trillion won, with operating profit rising 12.4% to 47.8 billion won. Growth stemmed from large-volume, value-driven products amid high prices and favorable exchange rates on imports. The private brand T Standard saw sales grow 40%, and T Cafe sales increased 24% through external collaborations, with overall sales volume up 3%.
Jo Sun Hotel & Resorts expanded into tourism, posting sales of 168.5 billion won, a 2.4% rise, and operating profit soaring 116.7% to 3.9 billion won. SCK Company boosted fresh food sales 7.3% to 817.9 billion won.
Gmarket’s Recovery
Gmarket reported an operating loss but saw gross merchandise value (GMV) rebound after four years. Over the last three months, GMV and average order value grew 12% and 10%, respectively, with direct app sales up 13%. Full-year figures showed 10% and 12% increases.
Leadership Insights
An E-Mart executive stated, “The strong first-quarter results reflect robust customer interest in our fresh food platform starting from the new year. As we release these figures, we plan to expand into new ventures like AI data center operations.”
Vice Chairman Jung Yong-jin emphasized a “platform shift” to address evolving market dynamics. He noted, “Over the past two to three years, group company performance rankings have risen again. Those that matched the momentum will pull ahead.”
