Four sad dips. What happens to the delicatessen Alma? – Wyborcza.biz

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3 August afternoon. Alma at Puławska in Warsaw. Most of the shelves is pledged beer, juice Food & amp; Joy ​​(own brand Alma) and mineral water. In the section “Snacks” on the shelf with a length of the metro there are four dips – wide apart, every 15 cm one.

Half an hour later, Alma in Wilanow. Here there is no cigarettes. Department of sweets to the wall with Rafaello pralines and pastries one manufacturer. A worker breaks last pack groceries in such a way to visually fill the shelves.

– When you start a normal delivery? – I ask the cashier.

– I do not know – the saleswoman shakes his head helplessly.

The store wanders 5 customers. In the nearby Simply cheap at the same time busy.

An hour later, store Alma. I want to order a 2-liter Coke. Out of stock. Pepsi? They also do not have.

In the evening, Alma publishes financial results for the first half: the year-on-year revenue fell by 9 percent. Alma Market ends with a loss of 8 million zł for operating activities (10 million last year). The report indicates that limit investment plans for 2016.

The online marketplace debts Alma owes 1 million zł. Does this mean that it has ceased to pay suppliers?

– We will not explain. Let Alma explains – we hear in Mlekovicie.

In January, 2014. Alma’s share price was approx. 37 zł, a year later – 15 zł. On Thursday morning reached 5 zł.

veto suppliers?

On problems of Alma – delicacies created with They think about conscious consumers ready to pay more for a product of good quality and a wide choice – customers began to write in mid-June. On the fanpage network by posting photos of empty shelves and ask about the reason for the disappearance of favorite products Mlekovita, Bakomy, fresh fish, eggs. Internet user: “When will stand with the press?”. “Soon” – calms Alma. But it’s been 1.5 months, and the press is still no. But plastic bags recently are paid.

Network explains that the gaps on the shelves is the result of “tough negotiations with suppliers.” Sounds likely.

– In September, enters a new tax sales. This is a good time to negotiate better conditions. Similar talks is currently among Daisy chain – says James Viscardi from Dom Maklerski BOS. July 27 DM BOS resigned from further recommending Alma investors.

– From 3-4 years, the company’s results are poor. Is in the process of restructuring, we made a lot of good moves, but it is difficult to assess if and when the situation will change – Viscardi explains the reasons for the decision.

But in other stores – despite negotiations – empty shelves do not shine. Suppliers must therefore put Alma sharp veto. I have reasons.

Viscardi: – The company strongly financed on a long rotation of liabilities, is up.

Let’s look into reports of Alma. In 2015, stocks of the company – from the moment of delivery to sales – have been in the stores 42 days. On average, supplier waiting for payment for goods bought by Alma 75 days – so until 2.5 months. For comparison, in Biedronka these periods are respectively 17 days and 58 days.

7 years of trouble Alma

KrakChemia the company was privatized in 1991 and three years later went public. Under the name of Alma Market has been operating since 12 years. In 2006 we had 5 stores. Subsequent years have seen the expansion: by 2009 produced fewer than 23 stores. Problems come along with the financial crisis. The company starts to record losses, reduces expenses, resigns from openings and for the first time lowers high product prices. Focuses on e-commerce.

changes not taking effect. – Run out investments run losses – explains the majority shareholder and CEO of Alma Jerzy Mazgaj. In 2010, the network decides to further price reductions. Another loss and limit plans come in 2012. Crybaby promises: – We want to be a store for the middle class. The Company is considering entering into a franchise.

In March of 2015. Closes 5 shops Alma. The results are not good. The company warns investors: “Intending to acquire Alma Market should bear in mind the high level of risk (…). They should also take into account the level of losses that the company has shown what can be negatively perceived by business partners and financial institutions.” The plans for 2016? Increasing the profitability of 1 sq. M store. In April, the company earned 27 million zł through the sale of three stores. As part of the recovery plan sold some property, closed additional stores. But it is not effective. In June of goods on the shelves begins to wane. Many brands disappears completely. What’s next?

will be worse?

– Alma still has a loss-making stores. Must withdraw from unfavorable lease agreements, which entered into. Many locations were misguided – explains Jakub Viscardi.

This is already happening. Alma closed, among others, shop in the prestigious Manufaktura, only to open it in the Gallery Matejko. The last, fiftieth, the company opened a month ago – in Węgrzce near Krakow. This location resulting from the new strategy – opening stores in the suburbs, where customers live with incomes above the average.

– The industry is competitive, to consolidate the network. In recent years, most developed rebates. Smaller and more expensive operators such as Alma, in this market it can be difficult – notes Viscardi.

Does this mean that the Polish market for exclusive delicatessen, offering customers unparalleled anywhere else in the number of “index”, a place not no? Perhaps because in this segment of Alma on the battlefield he was alone. A few years ago – after a series of price reductions – fell deli Bomi. Peter and Paul soon noticed what was happening in the market. According to experts, today it is more than a deli market.

Alma Bemowo. Two clients.

– It is said that in the Alma empty shelves. And at the State not the worst – I turn to the clerk.

– will be worse, you believe me – the woman said.

Alma apologizes for the inconvenience

What is Alma? According handed down to us the position of the company “is working on increasing the efficiency and apologizes to customers for any temporary inconvenience.”

Why so much look for?

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