Ara

Sales

€3,228 M

(+13.3%)

# Stores

1,653

LFL

+5.8%

EBITDA

€132 M

(+37.6%)

CAPEX

€228 M

Highlights of the Year

• Opening of 225 stores, including the integration of 71 locations previously operated by Colsubsidio

• Launch of the Ara App

• Social investment of two million euros under the slogan “Dos millones de razones” (Two million reasons)

Additional information, particularly about our sustainability initiatives, may be found in Chapter "Sustainability" of this Report.

Performance

Throughout the year, the consumption patterns of Colombian families remained very defensive and highly price oriented. Ara remained focused on implementing its commercial strategy, guaranteeing low prices and the best value proposition for consumers, consolidating its market position.

With a strong promotional dynamic and consistently low prices, the Company continued to create meaningful savings opportunities for Colombian families in a challenging economic environment. Throughout the year, the banner successfully pursued its objectives of strengthening consumer recognition and increasing its market share in the regions where it operates.

Ara stood by families, offering quality and innovation in the assortment, increasing the weight of promotions in total sales. As a result, sales increased 17.4%, in local currency, including an LFL of 5.8%. In euros, sales amounted to 3.2 billion euros, up 13.3% from 2024.

Net Sales

(€ Million)

To strengthen its position in the Colombian market, monthly promotional campaigns were held throughout the year, most notably the “Maratón de Descuentos” initiative, alternating between priority categories, including dairy products (milk, cheeses and yoghurts), non-food items, personal care and household cleaning.

Other notable initiatives included the “Superhit”, “Superprecio”, “Raspa y renueva tu cocina” campaigns, and the special anniversary promotion in June offering discounts of up to 50%.

The strategy of investing in Private Brands is aligned with a market environment focused on price, where offering quality options at affordable prices is essential. The Company thus reinforced the differentiation and innovation of its assortment, further consolidating its value proposition for consumers with the launch of 221 new private brand products and the relaunch of 23 products.

Most noteworthy is the launch Eden capsules, concentrated liquid detergent, Eden Fresh (fabric fragrance), and new cheese products, including cheese sticks, and Slim milk. In the personal care segment, the new Be Beauty haircare line was particularly of note.

Maintaining a strong focus on efficiency and reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, Ara continued the initiatives implemented in the previous year. In the year, solar panels were installed at three distribution centres and more 115 stores, increasing the use of photovoltaic energy and contributing significantly to the Group’s decarbonisation targets.

In September, the Company launched its app, designed to enhance the digital experience and promote everyday savings. The “!Sacúdela que tienes Promo!” feature enables customers to access exclusive discounts, see what’s new, locate stores, and plan their purchases. The app also includes a digital catalogue with weekly products and prices, as well as a locator to quickly find the nearest store. Besides offering an interactive experience, the app has become a strategic channel for communicating new launches, consolidating the banner’s value proposition.

Also in 2025, the Company continued the initiative started in the previous year – “Dos millones de razones” (Two million reasons) – doubling its investment and allocating two million euros to the social investment programme, supporting 14 projects aimed at transforming the lives of more than 50 thousand people. The initiative has two main objectives: to promote health through food, focusing in particular on combating child malnutrition, and to strengthen ties with local communities through social empowerment projects, where education plays a key role to promote change.

Also as regards social support, Ara renewed its partnership with the Bogotá Sin Hambre 2.0 programme, in collaboration with the Social Integration Secretariat. The initiative, part of the Mission Nutrition Bogotá strategy, aims to ensure access to nutritious food during the first thousand days of a child’s life. For ten months, 310 families from vulnerable neighbourhoods received food vouchers redeemable in Ara stores, complemented by nutritional assessments and personalised support for teenagers and pregnant women. The goal is to help break the food insecurity cycle and promote healthy development from an early age.

The Company continued to prioritise expansion, investing 228 million euros in the opening of 225 new stores and the refurbishment of 27 locations, further modernising the store network. The opening of the 100th Ara store in Antioquia was a milestone for the banner, demonstrating its commitment to another important region in Colombia.

In March 2025, the local Competition Authority approved the integration of 71 stores previously operated by Colsubsidio into the Ara network, strengthening the banner’s presence in food retail, mainly in the Bogotá region.

The Company also opened a new distribution centre at the beginning of the year to ensure supply efficiency, delivering productivity gains, particularly in relation to transportation costs.

EBITDA totalled 132 million euros, 37.6% up on the previous year (+42.7% in local currency), with the respective margin standing at 4.1% (3.4% in 2024). The rise in the EBITDA margin reflects the change in commercial dynamics and ongoing cost control efforts, helping to mitigate the effects of a weak consumption environment. This performance was achieved amid changes to labour laws in the second half of the year, entailing additional costs and requiring even tighter management to protect profitability.