Avenue Super. Management Discussions


ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

The Indian economy is expected to grow by an estimated 7% in FY 2022-23 (Source: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation) led by supportive government policies and strong private consumption. This was facilitated by near-universal vaccination coverage post COVID-19 outbreak, the normalisation of growth in contact-intensive sectors to pre-pandemic levels, and the continued consumer spending on the back of pent-up demand.

However, inflation remained high almost throughout the year, prompting the regulator to raise the repo rate cumulatively by 250 basis points from May 2022 to February 2023. The effectiveness of the monetary policy response became evident in March 2023 when headline retail inflation slowed down to a 15-month low of 5.66%. Despite high interest rates and a slowdown in global growth, the Indian economy showed resilience and strong growth across sectors.

Outlook

Globally, there are concerns of slowdown in growth due to uncertainty in the financial markets. Geo-political risks also continued to remain heightened in some regions. In India, inflation continues to be the key economic indicator for regulators. However, the domestic economy remains resilient led by several inherent factors such as growing urbanisation, stable geo-political environment and favourable demographics.

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

FY 2022-23 is estimated to have seen full resumption of activities post the COVID-19 pandemic which impacted the previous two years. The overall retail industry is estimated to have grown at 15% to 84 trillion in FY 2022-23. Organised retail is estimated to have grown at 20% to 9 trillion (~11% of the overall retail industry) while E-retail is estimated to have grown at 24% to 3 trillion (~3.7% of the overall retail industry). Of the total organised retail industry, the food and grocery segment accounts for about 25% (in value terms) as of FY 2022-23.

Retail industry is estimated to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 10-11% between 2023 and 2028 as economic activity picks up and inflation remains in a low to moderate range. Consumption revival, coupled with economic growth, is expected to boost consumer sentiment and drive discretionary spends. (Source: CRISIL Research)

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Avenue Supermarts Limited (DMart) is a national supermarket chain, with a focus on value-retailing. We offer a wide range of products with a focus on the Foods, Non-Foods (FMCG) and General Merchandise & Apparel product categories. Since launching our first store in 2002 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, we have grown to 324 stores with a retail business area of 13.4 million sq. ft. spread across Maharashtra (99), Gujarat (55), Telangana (36), Andhra Pradesh (29), Karnataka (29), Madhya Pradesh (19), Tamil Nadu (19), Rajasthan (12), Punjab (11), NCR (8), Chhattisgarh (6) and Daman (1). We remain focussed on our strategy of offering our customers good quality products at great value, based on the Everyday Low Cost/Everyday Low Price (EDLC/EDLP) principle. Our store offerings provide our customers with a distinctive shopping experience, comprising of a wide range of everyday value retail products sold in a modern ambience and with the feel of a large retail mall. We believe our endeavour to facilitate one-stop shop convenience for our customers everyday shopping needs, along with our competitive pricing due to our local market knowledge, careful product assortment and supply chain efficiencies, has helped us achieve steady growth.

Key Performance Indicators

Over the years we have seen steady growth in the number of stores and consequently our retail business area.

Financial Year No. of Stores Retail Business Area
(mn sq. ft.)
FY 2022-23 324** 13.4
FY 2021-22 284 11.5
FY 2020-21 234* 8.8
FY 2019-20 214 7.8
FY 2018-19 176 5.9

*22 New Stores were added in FY 2020-21 and two of our older stores were converted in fulfillment centre for Avenue E-Commerce Limited

**During FY23, 1 location was reconverted from Fulfilment Centre to DMart Store

Our operations are ably supported by a network of distribution centres and packing centres. As of 31st March, 2023 we had 49 distribution centres and 10 packing centres. Our total number of bill cuts, was 25.8 crore in FY 2022-23 as compared to 18.1 crore during FY 2021-22. Our annualised revenue from sales per retail business area sq. ft. was 31,096 in FY 2022-23 and 27,454 in FY 2021-22.

Financial Performance

Standalone Consolidated
Particulars FY 2023 FY 2022 Increase/ (Decrease)% FY 2023 FY 2022 Increase/ (Decrease)%
Revenue from Operations 41,833.25 30,352.50 37.82% 42,839.56 30,976.27 38.30%
Other Income 163.09 140.87 15.77% 129.34 117.49 10.09%
Finance Cost 48.07 39.60 21.39% 67.41 53.79 25.32%
Profit Before tax 3,231.16 2,181.73 48.10% 3,060.09 2,064.12 48.25%
Profit After Tax 2,556.40 1,616.17 58.18% 2,378.34 1,492.40 59.36%
EPS - Basic (in ) 39.46 24.95 58.16% 36.72 23.04 59.38%
EPS - Diluted (in ) 39.22 24.75 58.46% 36.49 22.86 59.62%

Key Financial Ratios

FY 2023 FY 2022
(i) Operating Profit Margin (%) 7.84% 7.32%
(ii) Net Profit Margin (%) 6.11% 5.32%
(iii) Interest Coverage Ratio 68.22 56.09
(iv) Debtors Turnover 128.20 138.92
(v) Inventory Turnover (Based on sales) 14.83 12.77
(vi) Current Ratio* 4.00 3.06
(vii) Debt Equity Ratio 0.03 0.03
(viii) Return on Net Worth* 16.80% 12.32%

*Notes :

1. Current Ratio increase is due to the bank fixed deposits held last year reclassified to current assets this year. 2. Return on Net Worth Ratio increase is on account of increased earnings in the current year.

Human Capital

Our employees are critical to our business. We internally assess our employees to periodically identify competency gaps and use development inputs (such as skill upgradation training) to address these gaps. We have implemented staff training policies and assessment procedures and intend to continue placing emphasis on attracting and retaining motivated employees. We plan to continue investing in training programmes and other resources that enhance our employees skills and productivity. We will continue to help our employees develop understanding of our customer-oriented corporate culture and service quality standards to enable them to continue to meet our customers changing needs and preferences.

At the end of FY 2022-23, we had a total of 12,108 permanent employees and 48,793 employees were hired on contractual basis.

Information Technology (IT)

Our deep understanding of local needs and our ability to adapt quickly to changing consumer preferences has helped our performance driven growth. Our robust IT systems have significantly aided this growth by simplifying complex processes throughout our operations. Our IT systems are equipped with an array of data management tools specific to our business needs and support key aspects of our business. IT has enabled our cash management systems, in-store systems, logistics systems, human resources, project management, maintenance, and other administrative functions. This implementation has contributed positively towards minimising product shortage, pilferage, out of stock situations etc., and has increased overall operational efficiency

Internal Control Systems and their Adequacy

We have put in place internal control systems and a structured internal audit process vested with the task of safeguarding the assets of the organisation and ensuring reliability and accuracy of the accounting and other operational data. The internal audit department reports to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Similarly, we maintain a system of monthly review of the business as a key operational control, wherein the performance of units is reviewed and corrective action is initiated. We also have in place a capital expenditure control system for authorising spend on new assets and projects. Accountability is established for implementing the projects on time and within the approved budget.

The Audit Committee and the Senior Management Team are regularly apprised of the internal audit findings and regular updates are provided of the action taken on the internal audit reports. The Audit Committee reviews the quarterly, half yearly and the annual financial statements of the Company. A detailed note on the functioning of the Audit Committee and of the other committees of the Board forms part of the section on corporate governance in the Annual Report.

During the year, we carried out a detailed review of internal financial controls. The findings were satisfactory and suggestions for improvement have been taken up for implementation. Policy guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) continue to be updated where required, to keep pace with business requirements.

Risks and Concerns

The Board of Directors reviews the Companys business risks and formulates strategies to mitigate those risks. The Senior Management team, led by the Managing Director, is responsible for proactively managing risks with appropriate mitigation measures and ensuring their implementation thereof.

Below are some of the key risks and concerns in our business:

If we are unable to continue to offer daily low prices pursuant to our EDLC/EDLP pricing strategy, we risk losing our distinct advantage and a substantial portion of our customers, which will adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations

Availability of commercially viable real estate properties at suitable locations for our new stores, timely execution of sale deeds/leave and license registrations and getting regulatory approvals for these properties

Our ability to attract, hire, train and retain skilled employees

Our inability to maintain an optimal level of inventory in our stores may impact our operations adversely

Our continued understanding and prediction of consumers changing needs and preferences and timely customising of our offerings

Effective management of our store expansion and operations in newer locations/cities/states

Any breach of our cyber security measures could potentially result in disruption of our business operations

The outbreak of new variants of COVID-19 or any other pandemic could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations

Climate Change may result in lower sales, lesser profits and / or increased investments in the short to medium-term. Further, any potential change in Climate related regulations may lead to higher cost of compliance.