In a world full of uncertainty,
in 2023 we once again gave consumers reasons to trust us.
The global context was one of great instability;
inflation and interest rates were very high;
consumers lost purchasing power
and were more cautious in their buying.
Our response was to guarantee products at very competitive prices
and to reinforce our promotional dynamic,
in all countries where we operate.
The products we sell are also healthier.
Recipes were changed and more than 130 tonnes of sugar,
60 of fat
and 25 of salt
were eliminated from our products.
Pingo Doce was the first retailer to remove artificial colourings
and flavour enhancers from all its Private Brand products.
We have increased our range of products for customers with an active lifestyle,
or those who prefer organic,
or vegans and vegetarians.
In 2023, we have also invested
in all things that make the strength of our brands:
Biedronka stores offer a unique assortment
and more convenience just a click away.
Pingo Doce is one of Portugal’s largest restaurant chains.
Recheio is the country's favourite partner for hotels,
cafés, restaurants and grocery stores.
Ara is getting even closer to its neighbours
with the opening of 200 new stores.
Hebe is growing online and has opened its first stores in Czechia.
It was the combination of all these elements
that enabled us to grow our sales by more than 20%,
exceeding the 30 billion euro mark.
We paid more than 1 billion euros in taxes
and our profits reached 756 million euros.
These figures were only possible thanks to the more than 134,000 people
who work every day in Jerónimo Martins.
We invested 312 million euros in bonuses
and recognition incentives for our employees.
2023 was a year of many celebrations:
Ara reached its 10th anniversary;
we were the food partner of the World Youth Day;
Our inclusion policies were recognised in Portugal and in Europe.
We are preparing the future
and in 2023 we have invested like never before:
more than 1.2 billion euros.
New stores were opened,
many others were renovated,
our agri-food business was strengthened
and we continued to make progress on our energy transition plan.
We ended 2023 with photovoltaic panels
on almost 800 stores and distribution centres.
All the electricity we buy in Portugal comes from renewable sources.
In Poland,
Biedronka has a network of charging stations
for electric and hybrid vehicles in its stores.
Our carbon footprint is 60% smaller than in 2017.
In the same period, our global turnover has almost doubled.
For the fourth year in a row,
we are the world's top ranked food retailer according to CDP,
and we are included in more than 130 sustainability indices.