Proposed an interim dividend of HK8.0 cents per share

Highlights:

• Revenue increased by 20.0% to approximately HK$1,237.8 million.
• Gross profit increased by 22.4% to approximately HK$446.3 million, gross profit margin increased by 0.8 percentage points to 36.1%.
• Profit attributable to ownersof the Company increased by 34.8% to approximately HK$110.6 million.
• As at 30 September 2023, the Group operated a total of 165 chain retail stores, representing an increase of 21 stores as compared with the Corresponding Period Last Year
• Basic earnings per share was HK11.1 cents. The Board recommended the payment of interim dividend of HK8.0 cents per share.

Financial Highlights:

For the 6 months ended 30 Sep
HK$'000	2023	2022	Change
Revenue	1,237,781	1,031,896	+20.0%
Gross profit	446,265	364,712	+22.4%
Gross profit margin	36.1%	35.3%	+0.8 p.p.
Profit attributable to owners of the Company	110,636	82,049	+34.8%
Basic earnings per share (HK cents)	11.1	8.2	+34.8%
Interim dividend per share (HK cents)	8.0	8.0	-

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 28 November 2023 - Best Mart 360 Holdings Limited ("Best Mart 360" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"; stock code: 2360.HK), a leading leisure food retailer in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("Hong Kong"), announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2023 ("the Period under Review"). During the Period under Review, the revenue recorded by the Group amounted to approximately HK$1,237,781,000 representing an increase of approximately 20.0% as compared to approximately HK$1,031,896,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2022 (the "Corresponding Period Last Year"). Profit attributable to owners of the Company amounted to approximately HK$110,636,000 during the Period under Review (for the six-month period ended 30 September 2022: approximately HK$82,049,000), representing the period-on-period increase of approximately 34.8%. During the Period under Review, gross profit and gross profit margin of the Group were approximately HK$446,265,000 and 36.1%, representing an increase of 22.4% and 0.8 percentage points as compared to gross profits of approximately HK$364,712,000 and gross profit margin of approximately 35.3% for the Corresponding Period Last Year, respectively. The increase was underpinned by the Group's steady expansion strategy, increase presence in strategic store locations, apt adjustment of sales tactics coupled with the optimization of product mix during the Period under Review. During the Period under Review, basic earnings per share of the Group was approximately HK11.1 cents (for the six months ended 30 September 2022: HK8.2 cents). The Board recommended the payment of interim dividend of HK8.0 cents per share. BUSINESS REVIEWCHAIN RETAIL STORES As at 30 September 2023, the Group operated a total of 165 chain retail stores (30 September 2022: 144 stores), including 156 chain retail stores, 7 chain retail stores and 2 chain retail stores in Hong Kong, Macau Special Administrative Region ("Macau") and the People's Republic of China (the "PRC") , respectively (30 September 2022: 136 stores, 6 stores and 2 stores, respectively). During the Period under Review, the Group followed our store optimisation strategies, which include expanding store spaces, providing better shopping environment, and incorporating the in-store display with our diversified product mix to enhance the brand image. The Group is persevering its search for stores in various districts to extend its retail coverage. The Group launched a new global wine and food shop "FoodVille" in 2021, which focuses on medium-to-high-end global quality food products, including fine wines from around the world, premium chocolates, health food, frozen food, western sauces and ingredients, etc., in order to cater to the market's pursuit of a high quality of life and to broaden the Company's customer bases. As at 30 September 2023, the Group operated 6 shops (30 September 2022: 3 shops) under the relevant retail brands. For the six months ended 30 September 2023, the ratio of rental expense (on cash basis) to sales revenue of the Group's retail stores was approximately 9.8% (for the six months ended 30 September 2022: approximately 10.4%), representing a decrease of approximately 0.6 percentage point as compared with the Corresponding Period Last Year. THE PRODUCTS During the Period under Review, the Group adhered to its global procurement policy by sourcing a broad spectrum of products worldwide to provide a diversified range of choices for customers. For the six months ended 30 September 2023, the Group has sold more...