UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_____________________
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16
or
15d-16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of October 2022
Commission File Number: 001-39928
_____________________
Sendas Distribuidora S.A.
(Exact Name as Specified in its Charter)
Sendas Distributor S.A.
(Translation of registrant’s name into
English)
Avenida Ayrton Senna, No. 6,000, Lote 2, Pal 48959,
Anexo A
Jacarepaguá
22775-005 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)
Form 20-F: ý
Form 40-F: o
(Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1)):
Yes: o
No: ý
(Indicate by check mark if the
registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7)):
Yes: o No: ý
São Paulo, October 20th, 2022
- -Assaí Atacadista announces its results for the third quarter of 2022. All comments on adjusted EBITDA exclude
other operating expenses and income in the periods. The figures also include the effects of IFRS 16/CPC 06 (R2) – Leases, which
eliminates the distinction between operating and financial leases, except where stated otherwise.
STRONG SALES GROWTH OF +30%
IN 3Q22 WITH YEAR'S HIGHEST MARKET SHARE GAIN
RECORD OF OPENINGS:
44 STORES IN LAST 12 MONTHS
|
| · | Gross sales reached R$15.2 billion and improved
+30% in the quarter, driven by 14 hypermarket conversions, and continuing the robust growth pace reported in 2Q22. On an annualized
basis, gross sales surpassed R$65 billion (1); |
| · | The robust sales growth was driven by: |
| - | strong contribution from the 44 stores opened in the last 12 months,
which accounted for around 20 p.p.; and |
| - | the strong same-store sales growth of +9.0%; |
| · | The excellent performance of converted stores, the commercial
strategy aligned with the competitive environment and Assaí’s Anniversary Campaign led to the year’s highest market
share gain on both a total-store and same-store sales basis; |
| · | Selling, general and administrative expenses corresponded
to 9.2% of sales in the quarter, of which 0.4 p.p. refers to the pre-operating expenses of the hypermarket conversion project. |
| - | Excluding this effect, the expenses level is below the 3Q21, which reflects
the Company's strong efforts and discipline on costs control; |
| · | Record EBITDA(2) in the quarter: surpassed
R$1 billion, with growth of 26% and margin of 7.7%. In the 9M22, EBITDA(3) came to R$2.7 billion, increasing +23%, with
margin of 7.1%; |
| · | Strong and growing operating cash generation of R$3.2
billion in the last 12 months, increasing R$1 billion on the prior-year period, representing growth of +53%. The strong cash generation
supports the Company’s high expansion investments and momentary leverage, which translated into reaffirmation of its ‘AAA(br)’
rating(4). |
| · | The strong operational leverage in a context of high
investments in new stores and high interest rates resulted in net income of R$281 million in the quarter and R$ 814 million in 9M22. |
| o | Excluding effects of pre-operating expenses, net income would have been
R$ 318 million, an increase of +4%(2), with margin of 2.3% in the quarter. In the year to date, net income would be R$860 million,
+6% higher (2), with margin of 2.2%. |
EXPANSION AND CONVERSIONS
|
| · | Expansion at accelerated pace and guidance revised to
45 conversions and 13 organic stores, totaling 58 new stores in 2022. |
| · | The hypermarket conversions concluded in the 3Q22 are
among the Company’s main stores in terms of sales, surpassing the already high expectations for the project. The combination of
a successful business model, the strength of the Assaí brand and the attractiveness of the commercial points resulted in a fast
client adherence; |
| · | Stores converted in the quarter presented an accelerated
maturation curve, confirming the sales and margin estimates for the project, as well as the revenues target of R$100bn in 2024. |
(1) Considering the current
store base; (2) Excludes pre-operating expenses and tax credits in 2021; (3) Excludes tax credits in 2021;
(4) Fitch rating as of
October 14th, 2022.
Assaí currently is in the most intense period of store openings, and I take this opportunity to thank the team for their dedication.
We ended the third quarter of 2022 with 14 hypermarket conversions and, to date, 19 already have been concluded. Supported by this robust
expansion, we delivered excellent results in the quarter, with not only sales growth but also the highest market share gains of the year.
I am very confident in the results of these conversions that represent a transformative project for our Company, with the converted stores
delivering accelerated maturation and excellent performance. Constantly growing and creating jobs is one of our permanent goals, and this
year we have hired over 18,000 people, reaching the total of 70 thousand employees. We are very proud to see Assaí named Best Retailer
by Valor 1000, a recognition based on its financial performance and ESG practices. Moving on to 4Q22, we now are focusing on our expansion
project and closing 2022 with around 58 new stores and a solid performance of our existing store network.
Belmiro Gomes, CEO of
Assaí |
INCOME STATEMENT
For comparison purposes, all figures in the table
and comments below exclude the effects from tax credits related to the exclusion of ICMS from the PIS and COFINS tax calculation base
in 2021 and the pre-operating expenses related to the expansion and hypermarket conversion project in both periods.
STRONG SALES GROWTH
MAINTAINED
Net sales came to R$13.8 billion in 3Q22, increasing
+29% and R$3.1 billion on 3Q21. This continued pace of robust sales growth is mainly due to:
| (i) | the significant contribution from the 44 new stores opened in the last 12 months (+19.8 p.p.), a record
for the period, whose excellent performance attests to Assaí's successful expansion strategy; |
| (ii) | the same-store sales growth of +9.0%; |
| (iii) | the constant advances in shopping experience, with adjustments to assortment and the adoption of services
to meet the consumer demands and profile of each store; and |
| (iv) | the excellent sales strategy, with a special highlight to the Anniversary campaign, which improved sales
and customer traffic at stores. |
In the quarter, the Company captured the highest
market share gains of the year, mainly driven by the stores expansion and higher customer flow at same store basis, softening the deflation
effects in specific categories.
In 9M22, net sales amounted to R$38.6 billion, up
28% on 9M21, reflecting the strong contribution from the expansion project in the last 12 months and the consistent same-store sales performance,
thanks to the Company's successful business model.
ACCELERATED EXPANSION
AND GUIDANCE REVIEW: 58 NEW STORES IN 2022
Assaí ended 3Q22 with 233 stores
in operation and total sales area of 1.1 million square meters. In the last 12 months, 44 new stores were opened, representing a record
expansion that accounted for an increase of +30% in total sales area. The opening of hypermarket conversions began in July and advanced
rapidly, with 14 stores inaugurated in the quarter.
With the guidance revision and new estimate
of 45 conversions in the second half of 2022, the openings schedule is being intensified: 5 stores converted since the start of October,
bringing the total to date to 19 stores.
Although
in operation for a short period of time, the stores converted in 3Q22 are among the main stores in terms of sales, above the already
high expectations for the project. The successful business model, the strength of the Assaí brand and the attractiveness of the
commercial points translates into a fast adherence of clients. The performance of the converted stores, in an accelerated maturation,
reinforces the Company’s estimates for sales (3x) and EBITDA margin (+150 bps above Company’s average) for the hypermarket
conversion project as well as the target to reach consolidate revenues of R$ 100 billion in 2024.
In addition, 13 organic stores are planned
for this year, 9 of which opened in 9M22.
IMPROVEMENTS TO CUSTOMERS'
SHOPPING EXPERIENCE AND DIGITAL JOURNEY
Assaí invests constantly in enhancing
its assortment and the services offered at stores to ensure the best shopping experience for its customers. The assortment closely follows
changes in consumer habits and is based directly on each stores' specific consumer profile, which has led the Company to expand their
special beverage and automotive sections in certain stores.
More
than half of existing stores have a butcher section to serve both B2C and B2B customers, and some stores have a Cold Cuts Emporium offering
new slicing services that before were performed only in the stores back-office.
In 3Q22, the Company also made important
improvements in the digital environment. Sales via last-mile partners continue to gain relevance and, with the expansion of Assaí's
footprint in high-density urban centers, where consumers value convenience, online sales offer vast growth potential. The Company also
forged a new partnership with an operator in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Bahia that focuses on B2B consumers.
The “Meu Assaí” app,
which combines the experience of the physical world with that of the online world, reinforces the Company's phygital strategy through
its new features, exclusive campaigns and personalized offerings. In the nationwide rollout phase, it is available in 4 states and will
further improve and refine knowledge on consumer behavior.
ROBUST OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
RECORD EBITDA OF OVER R$1 BN WITH 26% GROWTH
In 3Q22, gross profit was R$2.3 billion, with
margin of 16.3%, similar to 2Q22 and in line with the Company's commercial strategy, which included Assaí’s 48-Year Anniversary
Campaign. The significant market share gains in the period on both total-store and same-store basis attest to the effective level of competitiveness
adopted.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
accounted for 9.2% of net sales in the quarter and included 0.4 p.p. of pre-operating expenses related to the hypermarket conversion project,
in particular the expenses with training of around 6,000 employees for the 35 openings scheduled for 4Q22. Excluding this effect, expenses
as a ratio of net sales were 8.8%, down 0.2 p.p. from 2Q22 and below 3Q21, confirming the Company's efforts to control expenses and
the solid operational performance of its store network.
Equity income from Assaí's interest of
approximately 18% in the capital of FIC came to R$16 million in the quarter, representing growth of 33% on the year-ago quarter. The number
of Passaí cards issued surpassed 2 million and shows excellent potential to increase given advances in the store’s conversion
project.
Other operating expenses amounted to R$17 million
in 3Q22, and refer mainly to asset write-offs, which is in line with expectations given the conversion project.
Adjusted EBITDA, excluding pre-operating expenses,
amounted to R$1.1 billion, a new quarterly record, with margin of 7.7%, demonstrating the consistent operational results of the Company's
business model. In the year to date, and including the effect of pre-operating expenses, Adjusted EBITDA reached R$2.7 billion, with margin
of 7.1%, in line with the Company's expectations given the advances in its hypermarket conversion project.
HIGH INTEREST RATE SCENARIO
AFFECTS FINANCIAL RESULT
The net financial expense post-IFRS16
stood at R$440 million, corresponding to 3.2% of net sales. Excluding the effect from interest on lease liabilities, the net financial
expense was R$314 million, or 2.3% of net sales. The result is still affected by the high interest rates, with the CDI rate increasing
threefold in the period, and by the growth in gross debt, given the high expansion investments, especially in the hypermarket conversion
project.
In 9M21, net financial expenses pre-IFRS16,
i.e., excluding interest on lease liabilities, came to R$737 million, corresponding to 1.9% of net sales, reflecting the pressure from
higher interest rates.
SOLID NET INCOME REFLECTS
OPERATING EFFICIENCY, ONE-OFF INTENSIFICATION OF INVESTMENTS AND HIGH INTEREST RATES
Strong operating leverage combined with disciplined
expenses control and significant market share gains led to net income of R$281 million in 3Q22 and R$ 814 million in the 9M22.
For comparison purposes, excluding pre-operating
expenses and fiscal credits from 2021, net income in a normalized view would have been R$318 million in the quarter, up 4% on 3Q21, with
margin of 2.3%. In the 9M22, net income would have reached R$ 860 million, an increase of 6% when compared to the same period of 2021,
with margin of 2.2%. The performance was affected by the accelerated expansion pace and high interest rates.
INVESTMENTS IN LINE WITH STRONG
EXPANSION
In 3Q22, capital expenditures came to
R$1.2 billion, reflecting the 15 store openings in the period and over 50 stores under construction, which are mostly hypermarket conversions.
OPERATING
CASH FLOW INCREASES +53%, TO R$3.2 BILLION
The Company continues to deliver high
cash generation, which support the high expansion investments and temporary leverage. In the last 12 months, cash flow grew over R$1 billion,
to R$3.2 billion.
The accelerated expansion pace, accelerated
by hypermarket conversions, affected the operating result, given the higher expenses, as well as investments and working capital, in line
with expectations.
DEBT ALIGNED WITH EXPECTATIONS,
GIVEN EXPANSION INVESTMENTS
The Company ended the quarter with a net debt/Adjusted
EBITDA ratio of 2.68x, in line with expectations given the context of high investments in expansion, which include (i) expenditures related
to the acquisition of hypermarkets, (ii) the 44 new store openings in the last 12 months and (iii) over 50 stores under construction
at end-quarter.
In 3Q22, the Company carried out a new issue
of real estate receivables in the amount of R$600 million to refinance the liabilities coming due in 2023 (R$1 billion), bringing gross
debt to R$12 billion. The cost of the issue reduced the Company's average debt cost to CDI + 1.47% and kept the average debt term to around
four years.
Given the rapid maturation of newly opened stores
and the growing and solid cash flow, the Company's leverage ratio should fall to below 2x by end-2023, which translated into reaffirmation
of its ‘AAA(br)’ rating by Fitch on October 14th, 2022.
CONTINUOUS EVOLUTION
IN LINE WITH ESG PRINCIPLES
Assaí, as an inherent part of its business
model, implements initiatives to foster a more responsible and inclusive society based on five strategic pillars:
1.
Combating climate change: innovating and enhancing environmental management;
2.
Integrated management and transparency: improving ESG practices through ethical and transparent relationships;
3.
Transforming the value chain: co-building value chains committed to the environment and people;
4.
Engagement with society: acting as an agent of change to promote fair and inclusive opportunities;
5.
Valuing our people: being a reference in fostering diversity, inclusion and sustainability through our employees.
The ESG highlights of 3Q22 include:
| · | Launch of Assaí Institute, the Company's social arm that works to increase opportunities
for people and communities by acting on three fronts: Entrepreneurship, Sports and Food. |
| · | Academia Assaí Bons Negócios Awards 2022: 1,500 entrepreneurs recognized in the categories
“Street vendor,” “Fixed point of sale” and “On-demand sales.” The action received 30,000 submissions
(+82% vs. 2021). Over 72% of the entrepreneurs recognized self-declared as female and 75% as black or pardo. |
| · | Reduction of 27% in scopes 1(1) and 2(2) emissions compared to the same period
of 2021, in line with the Company's strategy of combating climate change and its target to reduce emissions by 38% by 2030 (base 2015).
The highlights were the reduction of 16% in refrigerant gas emissions (scope 1) and of 65% in scope 2 emissions. |
| · | Becoming a signatory to the “Pact for the Starving 15% - (Pacto pelos 15% com fome)” an
initiative in partnership with the Ação da Cidadania organization to combat hunger and food waste. In 9M22, the Company
increased by 39% its food donations (compared to 9M21) to social organizations serving people in situations of social vulnerability. |
(1) Direct emissions from the company.
(2) Emissions from electricity consumption.
ABOUT SENDAS S.A.
Assaí is a cash and carry wholesaler
serving small and midsized merchants as well as consumers in general seeking unit items as well as large volumes. With gross sales of
some R$55 billion in the last 12 months, Assaí operates more than 230 stores located in all 23 states of Brazil, as well as the
Federal District. Assaí has around 70,000 employees and welcomes 30 million customers to its stores every month.
In 2022, Assaí was elected the best wholesaler
in two surveys conducted by Instituto Datafolha: “Best of São Paulo - Services” (for the seventh straight year); and
“Best of the Internet in Brazil." Assaí also received, for the second straight year, the Modern Consumer of Excellence
in Customer Service Award and was certified by the Great Place to Work seal. Assaí is one of the 20 most valuable brands in Brazil
according to the annual ranking compiled by Interbrand, and in terms of net sales is the country's 17th largest company.
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS
Gabrielle Castelo Branco Helú
Investor Relations Officer
Ana Carolina Silva
Beatris Atilio
Daniel Magalhães
E-mail: ri.assai@assai.com.br
Website: www.ri.assai.com.br
APPENDICES
OPERATIONAL INFORMATION
I – Number of stores
and sales area
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
II - Income Statement
III - Balance Sheet
IV - Cash Flow
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: October 20, 2022
Sendas Distribuidora S.A.
By: /s/ Daniela Sabbag Papa
Name: Daniela Sabbag Papa
Title: Chief Financial Officer
By: /s/ Gabrielle Helú
Name: Gabrielle Helú
Title: Investor Relations Officer
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These
statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates of future economic circumstances,
industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates",
"expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies
and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or
results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject
to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements
are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors.
Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.
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