Mumbai: Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd has reported a modest increase in net profit for the second quarter of FY25, rising 1.3 per cent year-on-year to Rs 2,836 crore. However, the company faced a significant revenue decline of 3.5 per cent, with operating revenue falling to Rs 66,502 crore compared to Rs 68,937 crore in the same period last year.
The results reflect ongoing challenges in the retail sector, particularly due to subdued consumer demand in the fashion and lifestyle segments. Despite these hurdles, Reliance Retail's EBITDA rose slightly to Rs 5,850 crore from Rs 5,830 crore in Q2 of the previous year, with margins improving by 30 basis points.
In a strategic move to bolster its market presence, Reliance Retail expanded aggressively by adding 464 new stores during the quarter, bringing its total to 18,946 across an operational area of 79.4 million square feet. Reliance Retail executive director, Isha Ambani emphasised the company's commitment to innovation and customer engagement: "Reliance Retail continues to make investments in technology and infrastructure to build a strong foundation for future growth and maintain market leadership."
During the quarter, Reliance Retail strengthened its portfolio by forging exclusive partnerships with Delta Galil to expand in lingerie and activewear, while launching ASOS in India. AJIO expanded its product catalogue by over 25 percent year-over-year, adding 1.8 million customers and introducing brands like H&M and Timberland. The youth-focused Yousta format surpassed 50 stores within a year, and Ajio Luxe saw a 28 percent increase in options, with its brand count exceeding 725.
JioMart’s growth extended across categories, with non-grocery segments, especially consumer electronics, driving a twofold increase in average order value. The jewellery segment launched nine new collections, contributing to higher average bill values, while the grocery business maintained steady growth, led by Smart Bazaar and Smart stores. The company also scaled up quick commerce through its store network, expanded the services business to 150 cities, and launched its first Armani Café as part of the premium brands initiative.
The merchant base for the company’s private label doubled, and the seller base grew by 46 percent, further expanding the product catalogue.
Foot traffic across all store formats surged by 14.2 per cent year-on-year, reaching over 297 million visits. The digital commerce segment also performed well, contributing 17 per cent of total revenue as Reliance Retail adapts to evolving consumer preferences.
Chairman Mukesh D. Ambani remarked on the company's strategic direction: "The unique omni-channel retail model enables the business to service a wide range of requirements of a vast, heterogenous customer base."
