DIA closed the first half of 2026 with double-digit sales growth, improved profitability, and reduced debt, while strengthening its position in the Spanish market is accompanied by network expansion and the contribution of fresh and own-brand products. Gross sales by the chain reached €2,9 billion, up 11,6% compared to the same period last year, with the second quarter posting a 12,1% increase.
In Spain, according to NielsenIQ data cited by the company, DIA is growing at more than double the market rate and gaining 26 basis points of share, equivalent to 0,26 percentage points, confirming its position as the country's fourth-largest distribution operator. This performance comes amid a six-month period also marked by improving key economic indicators.
Adjusted EBITDA, the gross operating profit after adjusting for extraordinary items, rose 17% to €160 million, while the related margin reached 6,5%, an increase of 31 basis points. Net profit stood at €51 million, up 6,4%; excluding the one-off tax benefit recognized in the previous year, the underlying net profit increased 30%.
Operating cash flow generation of €172 million allowed the company to reduce its net financial debt by 18% to €206 million. The net debt-to-EBITDA ratio thus reached 0,6x, providing the chain with greater financial room to support its network development.
In the first six months, DIA opened 58 stores and closed ten, for a net new store balance of 48, bringing the company closer to its goal of 100 net openings by the end of the year. This expansion is progressing alongside the consolidation of the Club DIA loyalty program, which accounts for 57% of total sales, with program-related sales growing 12,7% year-over-year.
In terms of product assortment, both fresh products and own-brand products saw a 14% increase in sales, exceeding the chain's overall growth. These two components therefore play a significant role in the half-year's sales results and customer relations.
The situation in Argentina is more complex, with sales volumes decreasing by 4,6% and gross sales expressed in euros falling by 12,4% to 722 million. This result is primarily impacted by the currency effect, linked to the euro's 37,4% appreciation against the Argentine peso, which penalizes revenue translation.
Despite the downturn, cost control and efficiency measures allowed DIA Argentina to improve its adjusted EBITDA margin by 30 basis points. The division also closed the period with a positive net cash position of €40 million and a ten basis point gain in market share.
Commenting on the results, Group CEO Martín Tolcachir emphasized that DIA continues to grow profitably, strengthening organic expansion, operational efficiency, and financial discipline. The first half of the year thus reveals a differentiated performance between the two markets, with growth in Spain and margin stability in Argentina at the heart of the chain's outlook.
