Rusta (RUSTA) Q1 26/27 earnings summary

Executive summary

• Net sales rose 9.9% to MSEK 3,489; all segments and like-for-like stores grew, with customer numbers, conversion and sales per customer increasing.

• Gross margin expanded 1.7 percentage points to 44.3%, and EBITA rose 17.6% to MSEK 330, with a 9.5% margin.

• Five stores opened, store concept renewal continued and central warehouse automation ramp-up progressed step by step.

• Club Rusta surpassed 7.1 million members.

Financial highlights

• Net sales grew 9.9% to MSEK 3,489; growth was 8.7% excluding currency effects, and like-for-like sales grew 2.2% excluding currency effects.

• Gross profit increased 14.5% to MSEK 1,546; gross margin rose to 44.3% from 42.6%, supported by assortment renewal and positive currency effects.

• EBITA increased 17.6% to MSEK 330; EBITA margin was 9.5%, versus 8.8% last year.

• Net profit reached MSEK 216, up from MSEK 174; diluted EPS was SEK 1.4, versus SEK 1.1.

• Operating cash flow rose 60.7% to MSEK 758 from MSEK 472.

Outlook and guidance

• Store expansion target remains 65–80 openings over 2026/27–2028/29; 14 openings were planned for fall, with nine stores opened so far this financial year.

• Medium-term targets remain annual average net sales growth of ~8%, like-for-like growth above 3% and EBITA margin of ~8%.

• August sales development was stable; high store-opening activity was expected in Q2, whose sales are weighted toward the latter part.

• Geopolitical uncertainty may raise freight and goods costs by end-Q2; currency tailwinds are expected to offset some increases.

• Health & Beauty rollout began in September; anniversary offers continue through the 40th-year celebration.