Assaí Atacadista(ASAI) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has achieved a reduction in net debt by BRL 500 million, starting from an operational cash generation of BRL 4.2 billion, which is higher than the previous quarter [15][16][20] - EBITDA increased from 5.5% to 5.7%, reaching a margin of 7.6% [13][20] - Net income for the quarter was BRL 195 million, slightly down from BRL 198 million, reflecting the impact of financial results and tax credits [20][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has seen a performance difference between sectors, with classes A and B gaining volume while classes C, D, and E experienced a retraction in volumes [7][9] - B2B sales, which represent about 40-45% of total sales, showed a significant drop in volume, particularly in cash and carry formats [6][9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Brazil's interest rates reached an all-time high of 15%, impacting consumer debt levels and spending behavior [7][9] - Retail formats serving classes A and B saw a volume increase of 2.7%, while cash and carry formats experienced an 8.3% drop in volume [8][9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on deleveraging and maintaining a strong cash generation strategy, with plans to continue opening new stores selectively [15][22] - There is an emphasis on expanding private label offerings and enhancing digital channels, particularly through partnerships for last-mile delivery [27][28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging economic environment but expressed confidence in the company's ability to maintain stability and continue deleveraging [4][20] - The company anticipates a potential recovery in the bar sector and expects strong sales initiatives during the end-of-year period [49] Other Important Information - The company has set a public goal to achieve zero landfill by 2035 and is actively working on sustainability initiatives [23][24] - The app has registered 21 million customers, with 16 million being contactable, indicating strong customer engagement [55] Q&A Session Summary Question: Financial services dynamic and core business expenses - Management discussed ongoing initiatives to control expenses and the potential for further efficiency improvements without compromising customer service [30][31][32] Question: Profitability and CapEx guidance - The company reinforced its guidance for margin improvement while managing working capital and maintaining discipline in supplier relationships [35][36] Question: Update on private label and cash and carry trends - Management highlighted the importance of the cash and carry model and its exposure to lower-income consumers, while also discussing the potential for private label growth [39][40][41] Question: CapEx and store expansion strategy - The company confirmed plans to open new stores with high return potential while being cautious about overall investment levels due to rising interest rates [42][43][46] Question: October sales performance and competition in hygiene and beauty categories - Management expressed optimism about October's strong sales and acknowledged competitive pressures in the beauty market, particularly from higher-income segments [47][48] Question: Self-checkout impact and labor challenges - The company noted that self-checkout has improved customer experience and efficiency, despite challenges in hiring and maintaining staff levels [50][51][52] Question: Updates on app and Black Friday initiatives - Management shared plans for Black Friday promotions and highlighted the app's strong customer base as a key growth avenue [54][55]