#Sonae #Portugal #Porto #retail #growth

Sonae's Remarkable Growth Journey

In a significant achievement for Sonae, the Portuguese multinational company has reached a staggering turnover of €11.4 billion in 2025, reflecting a substantial year-on-year growth of 14.2%. This growth is attributed to Sonae's robust retail sectors and strategic investments in acquisitions over the past two years, showcasing the company's ability to adapt and thrive in a competitive market.

Financial Highlights

Sonae's financial performance indicates remarkable operational efficiency gains alongside a diversified portfolio. The underlying EBITDA of the company surged to €1.1 billion, marking an impressive increase of 23.6% compared to 2024. Additionally, total EBITDA rose by 17.6% to €1.2 billion, while the net result attributable to shareholders saw a growth of 11%, reaching €247 million. Notably, Sonae's share price exhibited a robust performance, climbing 76% in 2025.

Cláudia Azevedo, CEO of Sonae, expressed confidence in the company's strengths, stating, "We are confident in the strength of our portfolio, which is well positioned for long-term value creation." Azevedo emphasized that the balanced nature of Sonae's portfolio, which spans various sectors and geographies, coupled with exposure to markets showing strong structural trends, solidifies its future prospects.

Retail Dominance

Sonae's retail brands have established themselves as market leaders across various segments in several European countries. The company operates over 2,500 stores, with 128 new openings in the last year alone. In the food retail sector, the Continente brand reigns supreme as the market leader in Portugal, successfully encompassing hypermarket, supermarket, and convenience formats.

In the health and beauty sector, Sonae has made significant strides with its brands Druni and Arenal, which are notable players in Spain, alongside its presence in Portugal through Wells. The company's electronics retail subsidiary, Worten, holds a leading position in Portugal and extends its operations into Spain and other regions through its service and repair brand, iServices.

Fashion retail is another segment where Sonae showcases its prowess; the company owns Salsa, a renowned denim brand with a presence in around 50 countries. Furthermore, Sonae operates Musti, a market leader in pet care, particularly strong in the Nordic and Baltic regions.

Real Estate Ventures

In addition to its retail achievements, Sonae's real estate arm, Sierra, is making waves in the global arena by developing and managing shopping centers and various real estate projects across office and residential sectors. Sierra's strategic partnership with Bankinter allows the management of ORES, focusing on real estate assets in the Iberia region. The company has also acquired the Real Estate Management division of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, thereby enhancing its standing as the second-largest third-party shopping center manager in Germany.

Embracing Technology

Sonae is not only committed to retail and real estate but also places a strong emphasis on technology investments. Through its subsidiary, Bright Pixel, the company actively invests in companies and startups offering innovative solutions in the realms of retail, telecommunications, and cybersecurity. Additionally, Sonae's Sparkfood unit provides natural extracts and active ingredients for multiple sectors, including human, pet, and plant care.

Looking Ahead

With a solid foundation forged through strategic growth, effective investments, and a diversified portfolio, Sonae is well-positioned for future success. As the company continues to innovate and expand its reach, stakeholders can look forward to what lies ahead in Sonae's promising journey.