Spanish Retail Giant Posts Strong Financial Growth for Fiscal Year 2025
Spanish retail conglomerate El Corte Inglés has announced a significant improvement in its financial performance for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2026. The group reported a net profit of €628 million, representing a 22.8% increase compared to the previous financial year. This growth trajectory was supported by rising turnover and improved operating margins across its primary business segments.
According to the company’s financial report, total turnover for the period reached €14.98 billion, up from €14.78 billion in the prior year. Total transaction value also saw an uptick, rising to €17.24 billion from €17.05 billion, with like-for-like (LFL) growth recorded at 2%. The company noted that the second half of the fiscal year performed more strongly than the first.
Segment Performance and Operational Highlights
The retail division remains the core driver of the group’s operations, contributing €13.21 billion in total revenues. Within this segment, the fashion and beauty categories stood out with a 3.1% sales increase to €5.88 billion. The food and hospitality business also showed resilience, growing by 1.5% to €3.1 billion, while the home and electronics sector maintained steady output at €2.77 billion.
The group’s diversification strategy continues to yield results:
- Travel: Viajes El Corte Inglés posted a 3.1% rise in turnover to €2.11 billion, with EBITDA increasing by 6.3% to €107 million, largely propelled by the tour operator business.
- Consumer Finance: The financial services unit reported a net profit of €56 million, a 10.7% year-on-year increase.
- Insurance: The insurance division saw its net profit climb by 6.3% to €71 million, supported by a 12% increase in the total number of policies to 1.4 million.
Furthermore, the group reported a substantial increase in digital engagement, with traffic across its websites and applications surpassing 1.007 billion visits, a marked rise from 891.7 million in the previous year.
Strategic Investments and Outlook
Beyond traditional retail and services, El Corte Inglés is expanding its footprint in data infrastructure and sustainable mobility. Revenue from surface commercialization grew 14.4% to €95 million, a result attributed to the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at shopping centers and the expansion of the group’s data center business, KUMO, which recently opened a new facility in Paterna, Valencia.
Looking ahead, the company is maintaining an aggressive investment strategy. Chairwoman Cristina Álvarez stated in January that the group plans to invest approximately €650 million in the 2026–2027 fiscal year, a 14.6% increase over the previous year’s capital expenditure. Álvarez noted that these results underscore the company’s financial stability and provide a foundation for continued growth and customer experience enhancements in the coming years.
