The Bon Preu group, owned by Joan Font, earned 55.9 million euros in 2022, a year of maximum complexity for the distribution sector due to rising costs and food inflation, which closed in a 15.7% in December, according to the INE. The result reflects this situation, since Bon Preu's net profit is growing, but at a slower pace than sales. The revenues of the company, which includes the Bonpreu, Esclat, EsclatOil and BonpreuEsclat Energia brands, increased by 16.5%, to 2,076 million euros, while net earnings increased by 5.8%.
The profit margin was reduced from 3% in 2021 to 2.7% in 2022. The reason, group sources explain, is in the containment of prices that they have applied so as not to transfer all the inflation to the customer, in plus the increase in energy costs. In fact, the increase in store prices has been below inflation, which has made them win customers at a time of high competition, the company adds. In total, Bon Preu has earmarked 1.9 million euros to mitigate the rise in the price of the consumer basket. This 2023 they will continue the price moderation policy, they say, while they hope to increase sales by 10%.
These challenges have not stopped the intense expansion process in which the group is immersed. Among its projects, the construction of the new logistics center in Montblanc stands out, which will allow it to double its size and expand to the south of Catalonia, where it still has room to gain a commercial presence. The complex will be completed in about two years, with a total area of 103,600 m2 and an investment of 204 million.
As for new openings, they expect to inaugurate seven Esclat stores, five Bonpreu and four gas stations in the coming months. The total planned investment will be 150 million euros, a historical record for the group in one year (in 2022 they invested 109.2 million euros, 5.5% more than the previous year, in openings and renovations).
This growth will lead to an increase in the workforce, which is already approaching 10,000 people. The group closed 2022 with 9,600 employees, 98.35% of whom have an indefinite contract, and has launched a campaign to vindicate the value of workers in the sector. Its commercial park is made up of 134 Bonpreu supermarkets, 57 Esclat supermarkets, 22 collection centers for online purchases, 58 petrol stations, 13 supermarkets and 50,000 customers of its electricity trading company.
