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Mr Price Group reported a solid third-quarter performance, with retail sales rising 3.6% to R15.1 billion for the 13 weeks ended 27 December 2025. Supported by stronger trading momentum in December and continued market share gains in South Africa.<\/p>\n
The group said sales growth accelerated in the final six weeks of the quarter, rising 3.8%, with December delivering 5.9% growth against a strong comparative base. It noted that December sales outpaced overall market growth, as measured by the Retailers\u2019 Liaison Committee.<\/p>\n
Mr Price\u2019s trading update lands amid continued scrutiny of its proposed R9.7 billion acquisition of German value retailer NKD Group, the group\u2019s first major push into Europe. The deal sparked a sharp December selloff, with the share price dropping more than 15% on the day and leaving the stock down nearly 42% year to date as concerns over the deal\u2019s size and risk intensified.<\/p>\n
Mr Price shares opened at R168.50 and were around R172 at midday on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
For the quarter, South African retail sales increased 3.9% to R14.1 billion, while non-South African corporate-owned store sales grew 0.6% to R1 billion. Comparable store sales rose 0.5%. Total store sales increased 3.6%, and online sales were up 3.5%, accelerating to 8.3% growth in December.<\/p>\n
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Cash sales, which accounted for 90.9% of total retail sales, rose 3.7%, while credit sales increased 2.9%. Retail selling price inflation was 5.2%, while total unit sales declined 1.5% to 109 million.<\/p>\n
The group\u2019s store footprint expanded to 3 164 outlets, a net increase of 64 stores during the period, with trading space rising by 3.5% on a weighted-average basis.<\/p>\n
By segment, apparel sales grew 3.2% and accounted for 83.1% of group retail sales. In December, the apparel segment delivered 6% growth and achieved its highest market share level on record for that month. Studio 88 recorded 7.7% growth for the quarter and 12.3% growth in December.<\/p>\n
Read: Mr Price hits 52-week low as NKD questions linger<\/p>\n
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Homeware sales increased 4.5%, while comparable-store sales rose 1.7%. Yuppiechef continued to perform strongly, growing sales by 10.1% during the period. The telecoms segment delivered the strongest growth, with retail sales up 11%, alongside improved gross profit margins and increased profitability.<\/p>\n
Group gross profit margin declined by 20 basis points during the quarter. However, the group said it expects to at least maintain full-year gross profit margins at 2025 levels and indicated it is comfortable with both its cash position and stock levels heading into the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n
In the first four weeks of January, Mr Price delivered sales growth of 4.2% against a high comparative base.<\/p>\n
Read:
Mr Price digs in on R9.7bn NKD European deal
Why the Mr Price deal sucks<\/p>\n
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