WEDNESDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2026

QHAAT

Today in Indian Retail

Retail

DMart adds 15 stores to 518 as shares hit 3-year low

Revenue grew 18 per cent and like-for-like hit 9.5 per cent in Q2, yet margin pressure keeps the stock under watch.

, Platforms & SaaS··4 min read

Wide empty supermarket aisle with stocked shelves of packaged goods under bright lights
Wide empty supermarket aisle with stocked shelves of packaged goods under bright lights

Avenue Supermarts added 15 stores in the July-September quarter to reach 518 outlets, up 20 per cent year-on-year. Revenue accelerated to 18 per cent growth while like-for-like sales recovered to 9.5 per cent, but the stock slipped to a three-year low near ₹3,323, down 28 per cent from its April peak.

Q2 total income rose almost 18 per cent to about ₹19,658 crore. EBITDA grew 14.7 per cent yet margin contracted slightly to 7.1 per cent as expenses outpaced sales. The stock had already fallen 9 per cent in seven sessions after the numbers.

A kirana competing on the same high-street now faces sharper private-label pricing and longer operating hours from the new DMart. Till throughput and footfall density become the daily scorecard for both sides.

Store additions picked up to 15 in Q2 taking the total to 518.

The expansion helps suppliers of staples and private-label goods but squeezes other value grocery formats and smaller modern trade players already seeing cautious consumer spending. Investors remain wary of valuation after the run-up.

Watch the festive fortnight for any recovery in same-store metrics and the next board update on store pipeline pace.

Filed under Retail·Rhea Kapoor

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