SPC Samlip's Q2 Sales Soar Thanks to Pokemon Bread

Continuing record Q1 performance
Cumulative sales reach 44 million units
Baskin figure sets and related products also contribute to popularity

SPC Samlip's Pokemon Bread.

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon]Riding the wave of the highly sought-after "Pokemon Bread," manufacturer SPC Samlip is expected to post another strong performance.

According to financial information firm FnGuide on the 5th, SPC Samlip's sales for the second quarter of this year are estimated at 802.7 billion KRW, with an operating profit of 18.2 billion KRW.

This is largely attributed to the Pokemon Bread, which has been in short supply throughout the second quarter since its release on February 24 by SPC Samlip.

In the first quarter as well, SPC Samlip recorded its highest-ever performance due to increased demand for Pokemon Bread. Sales reached 724.8 billion KRW, an 11.1% increase compared to the same period last year, marking the first time quarterly sales exceeded 700 billion KRW this year. Operating profit for the same period rose 30.1% to 13.6 billion KRW, and net profit increased 25.3% to 7.8 billion KRW.

According to SPC Samlip, the cumulative sales volume of Pokemon Bread as of the end of last month is approximately 44 million units. Applying the convenience store retail price of 1,500 KRW per unit, this translates to about 66 billion KRW in sales.

Especially since April, as sales of Pokemon Bread have expanded, the sales impact in the second quarter is expected to be greater than in the first quarter. An SPC Samlip official stated, "The contribution of Pokemon Bread sales to bakery overall sales was less than 5% in the first quarter," adding, "Since sales have expanded since April, the contribution to performance reflected in the second quarter of this year is expected to be greater."

When including profits from marketing using the Pokemon IP (intellectual property), the sales scale is expected to be even larger. SPC Group has expanded the Pokemon craze, which started with SPC Samlip's Pokemon Bread, to Baskin Robbins, Jibeun, Dunkin, and other affiliates, launching and selling various related products. Baskin Robbins' reservation sales of the "Pokemon Block Pack & Figure Set," conducted via the Happy Order app and KakaoTalk ordering from the 13th to the 18th of last month, sold out all prepared items on the first day and ended early. The Baskin Robbins specialized store "Pokemon with Hive City," opened by SPC Group in May, surpassed 70,000 cumulative visitors by June 8.

Not only Pokemon Bread but also the reopening of economic activities has shown signs of improving performance in the previously deficit-ridden rest area business. SPC Samlip acquired a 10-year operating right for Gapyeong Rest Area on the Seoul-Chuncheon Expressway in 2019 for 258.1 billion KRW. In addition, it operates six rest areas nationwide.

Therefore, not only in the second quarter but also in the second half of this year, the positive performance trend is expected to continue, with annual sales projected to exceed 3 trillion KRW. According to FnGuide, SPC Samlip's consolidated sales for this year are estimated to reach 3.2723 trillion KRW, an 11% increase from the previous year. Operating profit is also expected to rise 22.5% year-on-year to 81.1 billion KRW.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.