Emart delivered its best first-quarter performance in 14 years. Emart said on Tuesday it posted first-quarter consolidated revenue of 7.12 trillion won and operating profit of 178.3 billion won. Operating profit rose 11.9 percent from a year earlier, the highest first-quarter level in 14 years since 2012 (190.5 billion won).

Separate operating profit also rose 9.7 percent from a year earlier to 146.3 billion won. It was the highest first-quarter figure in 8 years since 2018. Separate total sales increased 1.9 percent to 4.72 trillion won.

Traders led the improvement. First-quarter total sales came to 1.06 trillion won, a record quarterly high, and operating profit rose 12.4 percent from a year earlier to 47.8 billion won. The company said a product strategy focused on large-volume and value-for-money items lifted customer demand in a high-inflation environment.

Sales of Traders' private-label brand T Standard rose 40 percent from a year earlier. Sales at T Cafe, which offers dining-out products at reasonable prices, rose 24 percent, and the number of visiting customers increased 3 percent. The company said it will continue product innovation this year, aiming to replace more than 50 percent of its total operating product lineup.

Emart's discount stores also confirmed the impact of space innovation in the numbers. Sales at the Ilsan store, renovated into a Starfield Market, jumped 75.1 percent from a year earlier, and the number of visiting customers surged 104.3 percent. Sales at the Dongtan and Gyeongsan stores rose 12.1 percent and 18.5 percent, respectively. At the three renovated stores, the share of customers staying at least 3 hours rose an average 87.1 percent, as experience-based spaces led to changes in consumption patterns.

Price competitiveness also contributed to attracting customers. Sales and customer numbers at Emart's flagship discount event, the Goraeit Festa, rose 3.5 percent and 6.0 percent, respectively, from a year earlier. The company said a virtuous cycle has taken hold, linking cost improvements based on integrated purchasing to reinvestment in prices.

Total sales in April, based on disclosure standards, rose 4.0 percent from a year earlier to 1.42 trillion won. Traders' April sales increased 10.5 percent to 305.8 billion won, and Everyday's rose 7.9 percent to 125.4 billion won. Cumulative sales from January to April grew 3.4 percent from a year earlier to 5.72 trillion won.

Major subsidiaries also joined the growth trend. Josun Hotel & Resort posted net sales of 168.5 billion won, up 2.4 percent, and operating profit of 3.9 billion won, up 116.7 percent, on higher occupancy and improved average room rates driven by an increase in tourists. SCK Company achieved net sales of 817.9 billion won, up 7.3 percent from a year earlier, on the effect of new store openings.

Gmarket is seeking a rebound in scale by carrying out aggressive price investment after launching a joint venture with AliExpress. Operating profit and loss remained in the red, but gross merchandise value returned to growth for the first time in 4 years. March GMV and average spending per customer rose 12 percent and 10 percent, respectively, and it maintained double-digit growth in April as well.

Emart said, "As the innovative paradigm shift stressed by Chairman Yongjin Chung (정용진) in his New Year address is showing visible results from the first quarter, we will also accelerate future new businesses such as building an AI data center, based on the growth momentum of our existing businesses."