The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. (MRSGI) announced a net sales figure of P8.90 billion for the first quarter of 2025, marking a 2% increase compared to P8.73 billion in the same period last year. This growth was driven by steady advances in both food retail (+1.8%) and general merchandise (+2.5%), along with contributions from the company’s expanding store network.
Blended gross margin improved by 4.4% to P1.90 billion, supported by a higher contribution from general merchandise and margin gains in the food retail segment. Gross margin as a percentage of sales increased to 21.3% from 20.8% in 2024.
Despite ongoing cost reduction efforts, the operating expense-to-sales ratio rose to 22.6% from 20.4% last year, mainly due to increased utility expenses caused by power rate hikes, particularly in the Visayas region, and higher manpower costs linked to government-mandated minimum wage increases.
MRSGI’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) grew by 6.1% to P413.0 million, up from P389.2 million in the first quarter of 2024.
However, net income fell sharply to P13.4 million, down 73.4% from P50.3 million last year, impacted by non-cash charges tied to the company’s ongoing expansion initiatives.
In April, MRSGI opened a new Metro Value Mart in Talisay City, Cebu, increasing its total store count to 72.
“Through 2025, MRSGI will continue to elevate customer experience, focus on optimizing our operations, and strategically expand our network to further strengthen our market position and deliver sustainable growth,” said newly appointed MRSGI President and COO Joselito G. Orense.