9. Intangible assets

Accounting policies

Intangible assets are stated at historical cost net of accumulated amortisation and impairment losses (note 2.5).

Costs associated with internally generated Goodwill and Private Brands are taken to the income statement as they are incurred.

Research and development expenditure

Research expenditure incurred in the search for new technical or scientific knowledge or alternative solutions are recognised in the income statement as incurred.

Development expenditure is recognised as an intangible asset when the technical feasibility of the product or process being developed can be demonstrated and the Group has the intention and capacity to complete their development and start trading or using them.

Capitalised development expenditure includes the cost of materials used and direct labour costs.

Computer software licences are capitalised on the basis of the costs incurred to acquire and bring to use the specific software, being amortised over their estimated useful life.

Costs associated with developing or maintaining computer software are recognised as an expense as incurred, except if those costs are directly associated with development projects that will probably generate future economic benefits (reliably measured), in which case they are recognised as development expenditure in intangible assets.

Other intangible assets

Expenses to acquire key money, trademarks, patents and licences are capitalised when they are expected to generate future economic benefits and are expected to be used by the Group.

Intangible assets with indefinite useful life

The trademark Pingo Doce is, besides Goodwill, the only intangible asset with indefinite useful life recognised, since there is no foreseeable limit for the period over which this asset is expected to generate economic benefits to the Group. Goodwill and the intangible assets with indefinite useful life are tested for impairment at the balance sheet date, and whenever there is an indication that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Amortisations

Amortisations are recognised in the income statement on a linear basis over the estimated useful life of the intangible assets, except if that life is considered indefinite.

Amortisation of the intangible assets is calculated by the straight-line method on acquisition cost, on a duodecimal basis. The most important annual amortisation rates, in percentage, are as follows:

Whenever necessary, the estimated useful life of assets is reviewed and adjusted at the balance sheet date, also considering the potential effects associated with climate change.

9.1. Changes occurred during the year

The Group identified as intangible assets of indefinite useful life recognised, besides Goodwill, the trademark Pingo Doce, with net value of €9 million.

Development expenses mainly relate to IT implementations.

9.2. Guarantees

No intangible assets have been pledged as security for the fulfilment of bank or other obligations.

9.3. Intangible assets in progress

Intangible assets in progress include the implementation of projects for processes simplification, usage rights and key money.

9.4. Impairment tests for Goodwill and other intangible assets

Goodwill is allocated to the Groups’ business areas as presented below:

As a consequence of the currency translation adjustment of the assets in the Group’s businesses in Poland, the Goodwill related to the Biedronka business, totalling 1,282 million zloty, and to the Hebe business, totalling 39 million zloty, were in total updated positively by €22 million.

The cash-generating units used to perform Goodwill impairment tests correspond to the business segments, which is the lowest level that Goodwill is monitored by Management.

In 2023 evaluations were made based on the value in use according to DCF evaluation models, thereby sustaining the recoverability of Goodwill value.

The values of these evaluations are determined by past performance and the expectation of market development, with future cash flow projections, for a five-year period, being drawn up for each of the businesses, based on medium/long term plans approved by the Board of Directors. These projections, in addition to the evolution of the performance of each business unit, incorporate the expected impacts of its investment plans, weighted by the risks each business is exposed to.

Pingo Doce brand is not being amortised but subject to impairment tests annually, with the same assumptions that are used for Goodwill. The same applies to intangible assets in progress.

These estimates are made considering the following assumptions:

The discount rates adopted corresponds to the required rate of return (hurdle rate), to each of the business areas on the different geographies, based on the respective WACC (Weighted Average Cost of Capital). Growth rates in perpetuity considered was 2%.

Cash flows also include the expected annual growth in sales, margins and operating costs of each of the business areas, as well as possible impacts arising from risks associated with climate change, which at the present date are not considered materially relevant in the period under analysis.

Note 2.6. presents the information related to sensibility analysis to the Goodwill impairment tests.

Even so, in scenarios of a permanent 10% decrease in expected cash flows, there is no risk of recoverability of the Goodwill of any of the business units.