Net sales for the period April to June amounted to SEK 7.54 billion, an increase from SEK 6.68 billion during the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Operating profit landed at SEK 183 million with a maintained operating margin of 2.4 percent. The sales growth in the consumer market is partly explained by developments in self-care, where the company is seeing revenue growth in both e-commerce and physical stores.
CEO Rasmus Nerman emphasizes the combination of digital and physical channels as central to meeting customer needs. The report states that services such as digital advice and availability via the company's own app are important parts of the business.
E-commerce continued to grow, among other things, driven by our strong omnichannel offering, comments Rasmus Nerman in the report.
Increased sales contributed positively to the quarter's results, but was partially offset by increased costs for marketing communication and tech investments. During the first six months of the year, the company's investments amounted to SEK 78 million, including intangible fixed assets relating to the development of new tech solutions.
The company also addresses risks associated with technological development. The risk analysis states that the development of AI and increased digitalization entail a risk of more and more sophisticated cyberattacks. The company states that they are therefore investing in technical measures to strengthen IT protection. Finally, Apoteket notes that the ongoing channel shift to e-commerce entails a risk of increased price pressure on the pharmacy market, which is being managed through cost reviews as well as optimized processes and systems.