#Sonae #Portugal #Porto #Retail Growth

Sonae Achieves Record Sales and Substantial Growth

In an impressive display of business acumen, Sonae (Euronext Lisbon: SON), a multinational company rooted in Portugal, has announced a record-breaking turnover of approximately €11.4 billion for the fiscal year 2025. This marks a significant year-over-year growth rate of 14.2%. The robust performance is largely attributed to the company's strategic investments and expansion initiatives within their diverse portfolio that spans retail, real estate, telecommunications, and technology.

The firm’s underlying EBITDA surged to €1.1 billion, representing a remarkable increase of 23.6% compared to the previous year. The company's total EBITDA also rose to €1.2 billion, up 17.6%, indicating an overall enhancement in operational efficiencies and profitability. Moreover, Sonae’s net profit attributable to its shareholders climbed by 11%, reaching €247 million. Driven by these positive financial indicators, Sonae's share price experienced a remarkable 76% increase throughout 2025, reflecting investor confidence and market strength.

Cláudia Azevedo, the CEO of Sonae, expressed optimism about the business's future during an investor conference. She emphasized the strength of their portfolio, highlighting its geographical and sectoral balance, ensuring long-term value creation. “All our businesses have a significant market presence and strong value propositions, allowing us to navigate markets with promising structural growth,” she stated.

Retail Segment Dominance

In the retail segment, Sonae's brands continue to dominate their respective markets across Europe. The company operates over 2,500 stores and has launched 128 new locations in the last year alone. Notably, in Portugal, Sonae's Continente brand stands tall as the market leader in food retail, offering hypermarket and supermarket formats, alongside convenience stores.

In the health and beauty industry, Sonae has made strategic gains with Druni and Arenal in Spain, in addition to its Wells brand in Portugal. These brands have solidified their status as market leaders in their categories. With Worten, the electronics retail leader in Portugal, Sonae caters to a wide market, extending its services through various operations in Spain and other regions. The fashion sector is not left behind; with Salsa, a notable brand in denim, Sonae enjoys a presence in roughly 50 countries.

For those invested in pet care, Musti, operating throughout seven countries, has established itself as the leading brand in the Nordic and Baltic markets.

Global Expansion in Real Estate and Technology

Sonae's real estate arm, Sierra, has also shown significant growth. Active in developing and managing shopping centers, Sierra has expanded worldwide, including office and residential projects. A notable achievement this year was Sierra's acquisition of the Real Estate Management division from Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, positioning it as the second-largest third-party manager of shopping centers in Germany and bolstering its influence in Iberia through partnerships like that with Bankinter for real estate assets.

Investment in technology is another pillar of Sonae’s growth strategy. Through Bright Pixel, its subsidiary, Sonae is channeling investments into cutting-edge start-ups focusing on the retail, telecommunications, and cybersecurity sectors. Additionally, Sonae's Sparkfood unit offers natural extracts and active ingredients for healthcare and plant care, further diversifying its business model.

Conclusion

With its solid performance in 2025, Sonae demonstrates a clear vision toward sustainable growth and innovative expansion in various sectors. As the company navigates the complexities of the global market, its adaptable portfolio and strategic initiatives position Sonae for a confident future in achieving continued success.