DIA Spain achieves an operating profit of 116.6 million Euros during 2008

DIA in Spain achieved an operating profit of 116.6 million Euros, with a 2008 profit after tax of 172.16 million Euros, an increase of 59.27% with respect to the previous year.

DIA Spain’s net sales reached 4,232 million Euros, a 14.38% increase with respect to 2007.

At the close of the last financial year, DIA counted on a network of 2,796 stores in Spain, of which 1,972 were the company’s own, with a further 824 operating as franchises, more than 12 million customers and 21,093 employees, of which more than 90% had indefinite contracts.

As its principal objective during 2008, DIA Spain continued converting its stores to DIA Market and DIA Maxi formats, to which the process of implanting its new image was also added; this latter task will also be extended to its product packaging during 2009. Thanks to these new formats, the company offers consumers a greater range of products, an increased assortment of fresh foods, and in a setting which is fresher, more comfortable, and closer to its customers.

At the close of 2008, DIA managed 278 stores operating under the DIA Market format in Spain, with the objective of reaching 578 stores during 2009. The last financial year also closed with 430 DIA Maxi stores in operation; the objective is to close the current year with 479 stores.

Internationally, in 2008 the DIA Group achieved gross sales of more than 10,500 million Euros, an increase of 11.1% over the previous financial year.