Empire Company Ltd
TSX:EMP.A

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Empire Company Ltd
TSX:EMP.A
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Price: 50.84 CAD 1.27% Market Closed
Market Cap: 11.7B CAD

Empire Company Ltd
Investor Relations

Empire Company Ltd., a stalwart in the Canadian retail landscape, weaves a compelling narrative of growth and diversification through its robust network of businesses. Rooted in the country's vibrant retail sector, Empire operates primarily through its subsidiary, Sobeys Inc., the second-largest food retailer in Canada. With a multitude of well-known grocery banners including Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, and Farm Boy under its umbrella, the company serves millions of customers nationwide. Sobeys' extensive reach spans across urban centers and remote communities alike, adapting its offerings to cater to varying consumer needs. This retail giant leverages its widespread infrastructure and procurement prowess to deliver a vast array of quality products, fostering customer loyalty and steady revenue streams.

Beyond the aisles of grocery stores, Empire focuses on strategic real estate investments through Crombie REIT, in which it owns a significant interest. These investments allow Empire to capitalize on rental income and property value appreciation, providing an additional layer of financial resilience. The company also engages in various initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience, such as integrating technology-driven solutions to streamline supply chain processes and meet evolving consumer expectations. By continuously innovating and adapting its business models, Empire Company Ltd. not only maintains its foothold in the competitive retail market but positions itself robustly for sustainable growth. Through a strategic blend of retail operations and real estate investments, the company ensures a diversified income portfolio, effectively safeguarding its long-term profitability.

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EMP.A
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Last Earnings Call
Fiscal Period
Q1 2024
Call Date
Sep 14, 2023
AI Summary
Q1 2024

Sales Growth: Empire delivered 4.8% sales growth excluding fuel and 4.1% same-store sales growth in Q1, driven by strong performance in both full service and discount banners.

Margin Expansion: Gross margin improved by 19 basis points and adjusted EBITDA margin rose by 40 basis points, reflecting disciplined cost management.

Loyalty Success: Scene+ loyalty program members grew to over 14 million, with a 30% increase in active loyalty members and strong customer response across all banners.

Strategic Updates: The company completed executive leadership changes, expanded its own brand assortment, and launched its third annual sustainability report.

Fuel Business Divestiture: Empire completed the sale of its Western Fuel business, generating a pretax gain of $91 million.

Inflation Trends: Internal food inflation was at a 17-month low and well below CPI, with management expecting further moderation.

Promo and Consumer Shifts: Customers are trading down, seeking more promotions, and Empire is responding with targeted value offerings without increasing promotional intensity.

Positive Outlook: Management remains optimistic about continued margin discipline, consumer retention, and the growth of e-commerce and loyalty platforms.

Key Financials
Adjusted EPS
$0.78
Reported EPS
$1.03
Pretax gain from fuel business sale
$91 million
Net gain from fuel business sale (after tax)
$71.5 million
EPS impact from fuel business sale
$0.28
Pretax organizational optimization costs
$9.7 million
After-tax organizational optimization costs
$7.1 million
EPS impact from organizational optimization
$0.03
Effective income tax rate
27.5%
Capital expenditures
$124 million
Share repurchases
3.3 million shares, $115 million total consideration
Scene+ total members
Over 14 million
Earnings Call Recording
Other Earnings Calls

Management

Mr. Michael Bennett Medline
President, CEO & Director
No Bio Available
Mr. Matt Reindel
Executive VP & CFO
No Bio Available
Mr. Pierre St-Laurent
Chief Operating Officer
No Bio Available
Mr. Douglas B. Nathanson J.D.
Executive VP, Chief Development Officer, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
No Bio Available
Mr. Simon Gagné
Executive VP & Chief Human Resources Officer
No Bio Available
Mr. Clinton David Keay C.A., CPA
Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance
No Bio Available
Ms. Julia Knox
Chief Technology and Analytics Officer & Chief Privacy Officer
No Bio Available
Ms. Katie Brine CPA
Director of Investor Relations
No Bio Available
Ms. Sandra Sanderson
Chief Marketing Officer
No Bio Available
Mr. John G. Morrow
VP & Comptroller
No Bio Available

Contacts

Address
NOVA SCOTIA
Stellarton
115 King Street
Contacts
+19027528371.0
www.empireco.ca