Philippines’ Metro Retail profit jumps 45% in H1 as margins widen

Its retail network expanded to 84 stores.

Philippines' Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. (MRSGI) grew first-half net income after tax (NIAT) by 45% as store expansion, renovations and sharper assortment curation supported sales and margins. Second-quarter NIAT rose 40.3% year on year.

Consolidated net sales for the six months ended June increased 3.1% to $315.34m (P19.36b), whilst comparative store sales grew 0.2%. Food retail sales rose 3.8%, whilst general merchandise increased 1.2%.

Gross profit margin improved to 22.6% from 21.8% a year earlier, driven by margin gains in both food retail and general merchandise and an improved sales mix.

Operating expenses increased 4.8%, reflecting inflationary overhead and costs related to new store openings. Operating income consequently rose 22.8% to $5.53m (P339.4m).

MRSGI has expanded its Visayas footprint with new locations in Naval, Biliran, as well as Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue City in Cebu. The retailer now operates 84 stores across Luzon and the Visayas.

The company is also upgrading its larger stores and hypermarkets. In July, it relaunched its pioneer Metro Colon store in downtown Cebu following renovations aimed at modernising the shopping experience.

“Our strong performance in the first half of 2026 demonstrates the effectiveness of our strategic growth initiatives and the resilience of our core business,” said president & COO Joselito Orense. “As we move into the second half of the year, we remain committed to bringing goods closer to communities, creating local jobs, and continuing operational efficiency to deliver sustained value to our customers and shareholders.”

The company operates Metro Supermarket, Metro Department Store, Super Metro Hypermarket, Metro Value Mart, and Metro Home Improvement and Lifestyle formats.