European discount retailer Action has reported year-on-year net sales growth of 20.1%, to €6.2 billion, in the first half of its financial year
Like-for-like sales increased by 9.0% in this period, driven by increased product sales to new and existing customers, according to a trading update.
On average, Action welcomed 17.3 million customers per week to in its 2,685 stores in 12 countries, over the past six months.
The discount retailer added 119 new stores to its network in this period and is on track to open 330 new stores this year.
Chief executive of Action, Hajir Hajji, commented, “Our customers greatly appreciate Action’s own brands because of their unbeatable price and quality. That’s why we are continuously investing in the quality and sustainability of these products.
“We started with our prize-winning sun protection range, Zenova, and are continuing with our cleaning range, Spargo, and our sustainably sourced bath and bed linen, Hotel Royal. Customer reviews, product tests and consumer prizes illustrate the progress and impact our private labels are making.”
First-Half Highlights
Action believes that customer satisfaction is a key driver of the company's growth, adding that it is in the top three best-known retail brands in the Netherlands.
It recently received three awards in Poland, including ‘Listonic No. 1 Non-Food Discounter’, ‘Best Retail Employer 2024’, and the ‘Retail Business Award’.
The discount chain was also recognised as ‘Price Champion’ in Germany in the non-food category, by the news daily Die Welt and research firm ServiceValue. Elsewhere, the Dutch retail brands survey Retail Merkenonderzoek identified Action as a brand with the potential for an increase in customer base.
The retailer has created approximately 3,182 new jobs in the past six months and recently welcomed its 13,000th colleague in Germany.
Currently, Action employs 72,222 people of 159 nationalities.
Elsewhere, in May, Action recently commenced deliveries from its first distribution centre in Italy.
Certified as 'excellent' as per the sustainable building certification system BREEAM, the distribution centre’s location in Altedo allows Action to serve a larger area. The retailer currently operates 87 stores in Italy, with its most recent opening in Puglia.
