Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT) released its second quarter of fiscal year 2025 results via a press release this week.
Couche-Tard reported total merchandise and service revenues of $4.4 billion, an increase of 6.6%. “Same-store merchandise revenues decreased by 1.6% in the United States, by 1.5% in Europe and other regions and by 2.3% in Canada. All regions were impacted by constraints on discretionary spending due to challenging economic conditions for low-income consumers, as well as the continuous decline in the cigarette industry.”
Merchandise and service gross margin decreased by 1.0% in the U.S. to 33.8%, impacted by the investment in promotional offers for its customers, by 0.4% in Europe and other regions to 38.2%, and increased by 0.4% in Canada to 33.6%, reported ACT.
“Same-store road transportation fuel volumes decreased by 2.2% in the United States, impacted by lower industry demand and two major hurricanes impacting the Southeastern region of the country, while it increased by 0.1% in Europe and other regions and by 0.5% in Canada.”
Couche-Tard struck deals to acquire around 290 stores during the last quarter. Couche-Tard entered into a binding agreement to acquire 270 company-owned and operated convenience retail and fuel sites operating under the GetGo Café + Market ("GetGo") brand from supermarket retailer Giant Eagle Inc. The deal is expected to close in 2025, according to ACT. ACT also entered into a binding agreement to acquire 20 company-owned and operated convenience retail and fuel sites operating under the Hutch's brand and one land bank, located in the states of Oklahoma and Kansas. The acquisition is also expected to close in 2025.
After making an initial takeover bid in August, Couche-Tard remains “committed to snapping up Japanese rival Seven & i Holdings [the parent company of 7-Eleven stores] despite a new management buyout proposal valued at about $59 billion,” reported The Japan Times.
“We will be persistent and continue our friendly approach to creating what we see as the most compelling outcome for all shareholders, employees and key constituencies of both companies,” said Couche-Tard CEO Alex Miller in a conference call with analysts Tuesday.
In September, the Circle K parent company raised its offer to about $47 billion to acquire all of Seven & i. The founding Ito family is now seeking to fend off the approach with a nonbinding management buyout proposal of around ¥9 trillion ($59 billion). Seven & i has yet to respond to the offers, wrote The Japan Times.
“We also remain confident in our ability to finance and complete this combination,” Miller said. “We continue to see a strong opportunity to grow together and enhance our offerings and service to millions of customers across the globe.”