Our opinion on the current state of SPAR(SPP)Spar (SPP) operates a chain of supermarkets with 2,402 stores across Southern Africa, and it also runs the Build-It chain (focused on hardware and building materials) and the Tops Liquor chain. The company has diversified internationally, with operations in Southern Ireland through its BWG group (which operates 1,392 stores) and in Switzerland with 388 Spar stores. Spar's extensive use of franchising has enabled it to become a significant competitor in the South African retail market.
Spar’s international expansion into Ireland and Switzerland provides a solid rand-hedge component, which is a valuable buffer against currency fluctuations. However, this aspect of diversification is not fully reflected in its current market multiple. The company’s new operations in Poland have faced delays and challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the six months ending 31st March 2024, Spar reported a 7.9% increase in turnover, though headline earnings per share (HEPS) dropped by 7.6%. Operating profit for the group reached R1.6 billion, with a slight improvement compared to the previous period, but higher net finance costs negatively impacted profit before tax, which declined by 11.2%. In South Africa, Spar saw a 4.8% increase in wholesale turnover across all business units. The BWG Group in Ireland and South West England showed strong performance with turnover up 5.7% in EUR terms (16.0% in ZAR terms), while the Swiss business saw a 4.6% decline in turnover in CHF terms (but an 8.7% increase in ZAR terms).
In its trading update for the 47 weeks ending 23rd August 2024, Spar reported a 3.5% increase in sales, with grocery and liquor sales up 6.1%, Build-It sales up 1.2%, BWG up 2.6%, and Spar Switzerland down 5.8%. Group turnover from continuing operations increased by 4.1% during this period, but exchange rate fluctuations and inflation negatively affected performance.
On 4th September 2024, Spar announced that it would pay an estimated R2.7 billion to settle debts related to its struggling Polish operations in order to sell them to a local retailer for R185 million. This one-off cost caused Spar’s share price to drop sharply.
Despite these challenges, the share appears underpriced at current levels, representing a potential bargain. The share broke through its long-term downward trendline on 12th June 2024 at 11,065c and has since risen to 13,259c. While the recent news regarding the Polish operations caused a price dip, Spar’s diversified operations and rand-hedge exposure could offer further upside, making it a worthwhile consideration for investors.