Central Retail half-year profit up 42.5% on new stores and wider margins
Central Retail made just over 5 billion baht in core profit in the first half of 2026. That is 42.5% more than it made in the same six months last year. Revenue for the half came to 126.6 billion baht, up 2.4%. The second quarter did most of the work. Revenue rose 3.5% to 60.1 … The story Central Retail half-year profit up 42.5% on new stores and wider margins as seen on Thaiger News .
Central Retail reported a substantial 42.5% increase in half-year profit to just over 5 billion baht in 2026, driven by new stores and improved margins. Revenue for the period reached 126.6 billion baht, marking a modest 2.4% year-on-year growth. The second quarter played a pivotal role, with revenue rising 3.5% to 60.1 billion baht and core profit more than doubling to 2.11 billion baht.
CFO Panet Mahankanurak attributed the growth to strategic store openings and upgrades, tighter brand and product management, and a focus on private labels while controlling inventory. New branches included Central malls in Khon Kaen, Central Campus, and Central Northville, featuring various shop formats such as Tops, SuperSport, KIS, and more.
The company is intensifying its strategy to attract younger shoppers, launching standalone stores for LOOKS and KIS, and introducing the Japanese bakery brand Haruki. Additionally, sales to tourists grew by over 9% in the quarter, outperforming industry trends. Central Retail's loyalty program, with roughly 30 million members, contributes to this success. The company maintains an AA- credit rating with a stable outlook for the fourth consecutive year.
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