Dansk Supermarked shows Europe how to earn money

Dansk Supermarked's 5.2% net profit ratio beats European competitors like UK's Tesco and France's Carrefour

Newly published annual accounts for 2001/2002 from the supermarket group Dansk Supermarked, which includes Netto, Føtex, Bilka, Bugatti and A-Z, shows an increase in the net profit ratio to 5.2%. This puts Dansk Supermarked right at the top of the European league of giant supermarket groups on ability to earn money. The UK's leader, Tesco, posted a net profit ratio of 4.8% in 2002 while France's Carrefour chalked up 3.3%, the latter measured on two quarters in 2002.

Dansk Supermarked increased its turnover by 8.5% to DKK 41 billion (USD 6 billion) while the 846 stores and leasing activities fattened the bottom line after tax by DKK 1.2 billion (USD 174 million) corresponding to 3.16% of turnover. In 2003 the group plans to open 63 new stores and also expects the number of employees to hit 20,000, some 700 more than last year. Dansk Supermarked is 67% owned by one of Denmark's richest concerns, the fabled A.P.Møller. Besides having stores in Denmark, Dansk Supermarked also has Netto outlets in UK, Germany, Poland and Sweden.