Earnings Release • Oct 28, 2020
Earnings Release
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Alexandre Bompard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, declared: "Amid the continuing crisis linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain extremely vigilant regarding the safety of our teams and our customers, and we are constantly adapting our governance as well as our commercial and operational models to the evolution of the health situation, in all our countries.
Carrefour's sales in the third quarter reflect the excellent momentum underway in the Group, confirming the success of the Carrefour 2022 transformation plan. Our initiatives in favor of customer satisfaction are bearing fruit: They are reflected in a marked improvement in the NPS®, record like-for-like growth and outperformance in the organic and e-commerce segments. The exceptional growth in Brazil, solid activity in Spain and better momentum in France attest to the strength of our multi-format and omnichannel model. We remain mobilized to keep gaining commercial ground."
| Third-quarter 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total variation (3) | ||||||||
| Sales inc. VAT (€m) |
LFL (2) | At current exchange rates |
At constant exchange rates |
|||||
| France | 9,676 | +3.8% | -0.9% | -0.9% | ||||
| Europe | 5,813 | +1.9% | -0.3% | +0.2% | ||||
| Latin America (pre-IAS 29) |
3,614 | +28.4% | -10.2% | +29.5% | ||||
| Asia | 587 | +0.6% | +2.3% | +1.4% | ||||
| Group (pre-IAS 29) | 19,690 | +8.4% | -2.5% | +5.5% | ||||
| IAS 29 (4) | -49 | |||||||
| Group (post-IAS 29) | 19,641 |
Notes: (1) end-September vs. end-June 2020; (2) excluding petrol and calendar effects and at constant exchange rates; (3) variations presented relative to 2019 sales restated for IFRS 5; (4) hyperinflation and foreign exchange in Argentina
Thanks to the transformation of its commercial model over more than two years, Carrefour is now able to capture buoyant market growth in its main countries. The market has benefited from a shift from out-of-home consumption towards consumption at home, particularly in view of the increase in home working.
Third-quarter gross sales up 8.4% on a like-for-like basis. The Group's gross sales came to €19,690m pre-IAS 29, an increase of +5.5% at constant exchange rates. This increase includes an unfavorable petrol effect of -2.9%. After taking into account an unfavorable exchange rate effect of -8.0%, mainly due to the depreciation of the Brazilian Real and the Argentine Peso, the total variation in sales at current exchange rates amounts to -2.5 %. The impact of the application of IAS 29 is -€49m.
In France, Q3 sales were up +3.8% LFL (+2.9% LFL in food and +9.9% LFL in non-food). Customers reacted quickly and positively to all initiatives aiming at improving purchasing experience and customer satisfaction. NPS® increased rapidly in all formats and growth accelerated.
In Europe, LFL growth reached +1.9% in the quarter.
Commercial momentum accelerated in Latin America (+28.4% LFL).
In Taiwan (Asia), sales rose +1.4% at constant exchange rates and +0.6% LFL in Q3. Carrefour achieved a solid commercial performance in an uncertain geopolitical environment.
The initiatives of the Carrefour 2022 transformation plan confirm their relevance quarter after quarter. A winning commercial model is gradually being put in place. It is based on a culture of customer service, seamless operational and commercial execution, enhanced price competitiveness, an efficient omnichannel offer and a dynamic assortment matching customer expectations.
Thus, countries or regions which two years ago faced major challenges have now reached a winning position. This is notably the case of Brazil and Spain, where the pace of growth continues to be higher than the market's. France, for its part, is showing signs of acceleration.
In 2020, Carrefour adopted a customer orientation that is unprecedented in its history, with an emphasis on winning back traffic and accelerating LFL growth, in particular through the deployment of the 5/5/5 method. This method is based on the individual and collective commitment of employees, at headquarters and in stores, around a common priority - customer satisfaction - through 15 commitments divided into three categories (trust, service, experience). Since 2018, it has contributed to the commercial success of Argentina, Spain, Taiwan and Poland. The 5/5/5 is now generalized in all Group countries.
The improvement in customer satisfaction is reflected in an increase of +4 points in Group NPS® since end-June, after an increase of +3 points in the first six months of the year.
In France, Carrefour rapidly deployed the 5/5/5 since the beginning of the summer. The NPS® increased by +7 points in the last three months. All formats improved, particularly hypermarkets. This improvement reflects the first benefits of the method and supports the acceleration of LFL growth (+3.8%).
Since 2018, Carrefour has made significant investments in the competitiveness of its offer. Good levels of price competitiveness have been achieved in many countries, notably in Latin America, Spain and Eastern Europe. These investments contributed to the strong commercial momentum in the quarter.
In Q3, the Group continued to invest in prices in most countries, in particular:
The Group intends to continue strengthening its competitiveness, particularly in France.
Particular attention is paid to Carrefour-branded products, which contribute to purchasing power and price perception. The penetration of Carrefour-branded products increased by +2 points at the end of September 2020 (vs. end of September 2019) to 29% of sales.
Food e-commerce has significantly accelerated in recent months and grew by more than +65% at Group level in the third quarter.
In order to meet the increase in demand, Carrefour continues to increase order preparation and delivery capacities in all geographies:
Carrefour continues to work on improving its productivity. The high growth allows better absorption of fixed costs. Thus, e-commerce has already contributed to the growth in recurring operating income during the first half of the year.
Carrefour continues to outperform the organic product market1 , with sales growth of + 20% over the first nine months.
On September 21, Carrefour strengthened its support for French organic products by forging new partnerships with 6 French cooperatives and 3 industrialists for its Carrefour Bio brand.
On October 13, Carrefour announced the acquisition of Bioazur by its subsidiary So.bio. Bioazur is a network of 5 stores specializing in the distribution of organic products, in the South West of France. The So.bio network is now deployed in 23 points of sale compared to 8 at the time of acquisition and should exceed 30 points of sale by the end of 2020.
On October 19, Carrefour launched the personalized INNIT nutritional score. After the food blockchain and the affixing of Nutriscore, this new service is one more step in the Act for Food program to allow consumers to be better informed and make smarter choices for a healthy diet.
Since the launch of the Carrefour 2022 plan, the Group has developed a culture of financial discipline:
Since 2018, Carrefour has demonstrated great financial discipline and has strengthened its balance sheet and liquidity. It has one of the strongest balance sheets in the industry. This is an important asset in the current context, marked by rapid changes in food distribution and the COVID-19 pandemic.
1 Source: Nielsen for France and Belgium
Bolstered by its balance sheet, its further strengthened know-how and its solid market positions, Carrefour is positioned as a natural consolidator in the regions in which it is present. The Group is more attentive than ever to opportunities for moderate-sized acquisition opportunities, offering perfect complementarity with its existing activities. The acquisitions of Makro in Brazil, Wellcome in Taiwan and more recently Supersol in Spain, carried out under attractive financial conditions, are perfect illustrations of this strategy.
While remaining very selective, this policy of targeted acquisitions can, over time, be an opportunity for additional profitable growth.
Carrefour continues to build a model that creates sustainable value for all of its stakeholders.
Leader in the food transition for all: On track to achieve the 2020 objectives of the "CSR and Food Transition" index
Our progress on the main indicators of the "CSR and Food Transition" index reinforces our confidence in reaching the 2020 objectives. Carrefour has made particular progress on the following indicators:
Faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, Carrefour teams have demonstrated exceptional responsiveness to ensure the continuity of food distribution, then meet new consumer expectations in a complex and rapidly-changing environment.
The Group immediately implemented strong measures to protect the health of employees and customers. Carrefour continues to adapt to the new sanitary provisions and rules recommended by public authorities in each country.
Carrefour remains attentive to the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact.
At this stage, Carrefour anticipates for 2020 sustained commercial momentum and an improvement in the operating leverage of retail activities. They benefit from the success of the Carrefour 2022 plan in a resilient market context. Carrefour's omnichannel and multi-format positioning and its commitment to the food transition are perfectly in line with current consumer trends.
Due to the crisis, financial services, other services and B2B sales in Europe should however weigh on full-year 2020 results.
The Group reiterates the orientations of the Carrefour 2022 strategic plan and confirms all of its objectives.
Operational objectives :
| End-September | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| End-2019 | 2020 | Objective | ||||
| Operational objectives | ||||||
| Improvement in the Group NPS® | +8 points | +15 points | +23 points by 2022 | |||
| Reduction of hypermarket sales area | 115,000 sq. m | 133,000 sq. m | 350,000 sq. m by 2022 | |||
| Reduction in assortments | -10% | -12% | -15% by 2020 | |||
| Sales of Carrefour-branded products | 27% of sales +2 points yoy |
29% of sales 1/3 of sales by 2022 +2 points yoy |
||||
| Convenience store openings | +1,042 | +1,697 | +2,700 by 2022 |
Financial objectives :
Fourth-quarter 2020 sales and full year 2020 results: February 18, 2021
| Investor Relations | |
|---|---|
| Selma Bekhechi, Anthony Guglielmo and Antoine Parison | Tel : +33 (0)1 64 50 82 57 |
| Shareholder Relations | Tel : 0 805 902 902 (toll-free in France) |
| Group Communication | Tel : +33 (0)1 58 47 88 80 |
The Group's sales amounted to €19,690m pre-IAS 29. Foreign exchange had an unfavorable impact in the third quarter of -8.0%, largely due to the depreciation of the Brazilian Real and the Argentine Peso. Petrol had an unfavorable impact of -2.9%. The calendar effect was an unfavorable -0.2%. Openings contributed for +1.1%. The impact of the application of IAS 29 was -€49m.
| Sales | Variation ex petrol ex calendar |
Total variation inc. petrol |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| inc. VAT (€m) |
LFL | Organic | at current exchange rates |
at constant exchange rates |
||
| France | 9,676 | +3.8% | +3.2% | -0.9% | -0.9% | |
| Hypermarkets | 4,876 | +2.5% | +2.1% | -1.3% | -1.3% | |
| Supermarkets | 3,226 | +4.9% | +3.8% | +0.2% | +0.2% | |
| Convenience /other formats | 1,575 | +5.4% | +5.3% | -2.0% | -2.0% | |
| Other European countries | 5,813 | +1.9% | +1.9% | -0.3% | +0.2% | |
| Spain | 2,581 | +6.3% | +6.3% | +2.7% | +2.7% | |
| Italy | 1,101 | -8.0% | -9.5% | -9.8% | -9.8% | |
| Belgium | 1,064 | +5.4% | +5.6% | +4.8% | +4.8% | |
| Poland | 498 | -1.4% | -1.6% | -4.7% | -2.0% | |
| Romania | 570 | +0.0% | +3.9% | +1.5% | +3.9% | |
| Latin America (pre-IAS 29) | 3,614 | +28.4% | +31.8% | -10.2% | +29.5% | |
| Brazil | 3,070 | +26.0% | +30.0% | -10.7% | +27.3% | |
| Argentina (pre-IAS 29) | 544 | +41.4% | +41.5% | -7.8% | +42.0% | |
| Asia | 587 | +0.6% | +3.5% | +2.3% | +1.4% | |
| Taiwan | 587 | +0.6% | +3.5% | +2.3% | +1.4% | |
| Group total (pre-IAS 29) | 19,690 | +8.4% | +8.9% | -2.5% | +5.5% | |
| IAS 29(1) | -49 | |||||
| Group total (post-IAS 29) | 19,641 |
Note : (1) hyperinflation and currencies
The Group's sales amounted to €57,845m pre-IAS 29. Foreign exchange had an unfavorable impact of -6.3% in the first nine months of the year, largely due to the depreciation of the Argentine Peso and the Brazilian Real. Petrol had an unfavorable impact of -3.5%. The calendar effect was a favorable +0.1%. Openings contributed for +1.2%. The impact of the application of IAS 29 was -€125m.
| Sales | Variation ex petrol ex calendar |
Total variation inc. petrol |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| inc. VAT (€m) |
LFL | Organic | LFL | Organic | ||
| France | 27,864 | +2.9% | +2.2% | -2.3% | -2.3% | |
| Hypermarkets | 13,827 | -0.1% | -0.6% | -5.0% | -5.0% | |
| Supermarkets | 9,461 | +5.7% | +4.2% | -0.2% | -0.2% | |
| Convenience /other formats | 4,576 | +6.2% | +6.6% | +2.0% | +2.0% | |
| Other European countries | 17,177 | +4.2% | +4.0% | +1.6% | +2.0% | |
| Spain | 7,217 | +7.5% | +7.5% | +3.2% | +3.2% | |
| Italy | 3,477 | -4.4% | -5.9% | -6.8% | -6.8% | |
| Belgium | 3,310 | +9.2% | +9.2% | +9.3% | +9.3% | |
| Poland | 1,503 | +0.9% | +0.5% | -3.1% | -0.4% | |
| Romania | 1,671 | +2.3% | +5.3% | +3.6% | +5.6% | |
| Latin America (pre-IAS 29) | 11,077 | +22.2% | +25.4% | -7.5% | +23.7% | |
| Brazil | 9,294 | +16.4% | +20.3% | -9.0% | +18.4% | |
| Argentina (pre-IAS 29) | 1,783 | +53.9% | +53.3% | +1.4% | +53.7% | |
| Asia | 1,727 | +1.6% | +5.7% | +8.6% | +4.3% | |
| Taiwan | 1,727 | +1.6% | +5.7% | +8.6% | +4.3% | |
| Group total (pre-IAS 29) | 57,845 | +7.5% | +7.8% | -1.9% | +4.4% | |
| IAS 29(1) | -125 | |||||
| Group total (post-IAS 29) | 57,720 |
Note : (1) hyperinflation and currencies
The impact on Q3 2020 sales is presented in the table below:
| Sales incl. VAT (€m) | 2019 pre-IAS 29(1) |
LFL(2) | Calendar | Openings | Scope and others(3) |
Petrol | 2020 at constant rates pre-IAS 29 |
Forex | 2020 at current rates pre IAS29 |
IAS 29(4) | 2020 at current rates post-IAS 29 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 18,819 | +7.8% | +0.9% | +1.3% | -0.8% | -1.5% | +7.5% | -4.2% | 19,445 | -10 | 19,435 |
| Q2 | 19,974 | +6.3% | -0.4% | +1.2% | -1.0% | -5.8% | +0.3% | -6.7% | 18,710 | -66 | 18,644 |
| H1 | 38,793 | +7.0% | +0.2% | +1.3% | -0.9% | -3.7% | +3.8% | -5.5% | 38,155 | -76 | 38,079 |
| Q3 | 20,199 | +8.4% | -0.2% | +1.1% | -0.9% | -2.9% | +5.5% | -8.0% | 19,690 | -49 | 19,641 |
| 9M | 58,992 | +7.5% | +0.1% | +1.2% | -0.9% | -3.5% | +4.4% | -6.3% | 57,845 | -125 | 57,720 |
Notes: (1) restated for IFRS 5; (2) excluding petrol and calendar effects and at constant exchange rates; (3) including transfers; (4) hyperinflation and currencies
| Thousands of sq. m | Dec 31. 2019 |
June 30 2020 |
Openings/ Store enlargements |
Acquisitions | Closures/ Store reductions |
Total Q3 2020 change |
Sept. 30 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 5,475 | 5,466 | +14 | +2 | -14 | +2 | 5,469 |
| Europe (ex France) | 5,596 | 6,082 | +57 | - | -33 | +24 | 6,106 |
| Latin America | 2,616 | 2,640 | +10 | - | -2 | +8 | 2,648 |
| Asia | 1,050 | 1,045 | - | - | -13 | -13 | 1,032 |
| Others1 | 1,379 | 1,403 | +19 | - | - | +19 | 1,422 |
| Group | 16,116 | 16,637 | +101 | +2 | -62 | +40 | 16,677 |
| N° of stores | Dec. 31 2019 |
June 30 2020 |
Openings | Acquisitions | Closures/ Disposals |
Transfers | Total Q3 2020 change |
Sept. 30 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hypermarkets | 1,207 | 1,207 | +2 | - | -3 | -1 | -2 | 1,205 |
| France | 248 | 248 | - | - | - | - | - | 248 |
| Europe (ex France) | 455 | 455 | +1 | - | -1 | -1 | -1 | 454 |
| Latin America | 188 | 185 | - | - | - | - | - | 185 |
| Asia | 175 | 174 | - | - | -2 | - | -2 | 172 |
| Others1 | 141 | 145 | +1 | - | - | - | +1 | 146 |
| Supermarkets | 3,344 | 3,375 | +50 | +1 | -14 | +1 | +38 | 3,413 |
| France | 1,071 | 1,073 | +4 | +1 | -4 | - | +1 | 1,074 |
| Europe (ex France) | 1,798 | 1,823 | +35 | - | -9 | +1 | +27 | 1,850 |
| Latin America | 150 | 151 | - | - | -1 | - | -1 | 150 |
| Asia | 9 | 9 | - | - | - | - | - | 9 |
| Others1 | 316 | 319 | +11 | - | - | - | +11 | 330 |
| Convenience stores | 7,261 | 7,665 | +134 | +8 | -78 | - | +64 | 7,729 |
| France | 3,959 | 3,933 | +56 | +8 | -27 | - | +37 | 3,970 |
| Europe (ex France) | 2,646 | 3,078 | +76 | - | -41 | - | +35 | 3,113 |
| Latin America | 530 | 528 | +2 | - | -6 | - | -4 | 524 |
| Asia | 68 | 69 | - | - | -4 | - | -4 | 65 |
| Others1 | 58 | 57 | - | - | - | - | - | 57 |
| Cash & carry | 413 | 422 | +6 | - | - | +6 | 428 | |
| France | 146 | 146 | +1 | - | - | - | +1 | 147 |
| Europe (ex France) | 60 | 62 | +3 | - | - | - | +3 | 65 |
| Latin America | 193 | 200 | +2 | - | - | - | +2 | 202 |
| Asia | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Others1 | 14 | 14 | - | - | - | - | - | 14 |
| Group | 12,225 | 12,669 | +192 | +9 | -95 | - | +106 | 12,775 |
| France | 5,424 | 5,400 | +61 | +9 | -31 | - | +39 | 5,439 |
| Europe (ex France) | 4,959 | 5,418 | +115 | - | -51 | - | +64 | 5,482 |
| Latin America | 1,061 | 1,064 | +4 | - | -7 | - | -3 | 1,061 |
| Asia | 252 | 252 | - | - | -6 | - | -6 | 246 |
| Others1 | 529 | 535 | +12 | - | - | - | +12 | 547 |
1 Africa, Middle East and Dominican Republic.
Free cash flow corresponds to cash flow from operating activities before net finance costs and net interests related to lease commitment, after the change in working capital, less net cash from/(used in) investing activities.
Net free cash flow corresponds to free cash flow after net finance costs and net lease payments.
Sales generated by stores opened for at least twelve months, excluding temporary store closures, at constant exchange rates, excluding petrol and calendar effects and excluding IAS 29 impact.
Like for like sales growth plus net openings over the past twelve months, including temporary store closures, at constant exchange rates.
Gross margin corresponds to the sum of net sales and other income, reduced by loyalty program costs and cost of goods sold. Cost of sales comprise purchase costs, changes in inventory, the cost of products sold by the financial services companies, discounting revenue and exchange rate gains and losses on goods purchased.
Recurring Operating Income corresponds to the gross margin lowered by sales, general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization.
Recurring Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) also excludes depreciation and amortization from supply chain activities which is booked in cost of goods sold.
Operating Income (EBIT) corresponds to the recurring operating income after income from associates and joint ventures and non-recurring income and expenses. This latter classification is applied to certain material items of income and expense that are unusual in terms of their nature and frequency, such as impairment of non-current assets, gains and losses on sales of non-current assets, restructuring costs and provisions recorded to reflect revised estimates of risks provided for in prior periods, based on information that came to the Group's attention during the reporting year.
® Net Promoter, Net Promoter System, Net Promoter Score, NPS and the NPS-related emoticons are registered trademarks of Bain & Company, Inc., Fred Reichheld and Satmetrix Systems, Inc
This press release contains both historical and forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Carrefour management's current views and assumptions. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance of the Group. Actual results or performances may differ materially from those in such forward looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the risks described in the documents filed with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers as part of the regulated information disclosure requirements and available on Carrefour's website (www.carrefour.com), and in particular the Annual Report (Document de Référence). These documents are also available in English on the company's website. Investors may obtain a copy of these documents from Carrefour free of charge. Carrefour does not assume any obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements in the future.
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