Shoprite Holdings (SHP) reported DHEPS up 12.2% to 1,527.4c, reflecting strong earnings growth. Sales increased 7.2% to R270.8bn, with like-for-like sales up 2.7%. Higher sales, gross margins and operating leverage lifted trading profit 8.4% to R16.2bn. Supermarkets RSA like-for-like sales increased 2%, with customer visits up 5.3%. The final dividend increased 14.1% to 566c, taking the full year dividend up 11.8% to 873c. Shoprite also announced two strategic acquisitions after year end. It acquired 51% of R&A Cellular, a payments technology business serving informal retailers, while agreeing to acquire Vida e Caffè, which has around 400 coffee stores.
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