When Lotte Vietnam to turn profit?

The Lotte Mart in Can Tho is one of 13 locations in Vietnam

Lotte Vietnam Shopping JSC started operations in Vietnam at the end of 2006 in the retail distribution sector. This is the most potential retail and distribution market in Asia due to the young labour force, high-speed urbanisation, and the development of industrial production and services.

Thus Lotte Vietnam Shopping decided to invest into trade centres across big cities and provinces in the country, as well as upgraded on-going centres, invested into facilities, and improved selling policies and services while all investors are developing fast.

Jeong Seong Won, chief finance officer of Lotte Vietnam Shopping, committed to long-term investment and accepted short-term losses. "In order to strengthen strategic co-operation between South Korea and Vietnam, we will continue increasing investment in Vietnam. This is our strategic vision and commitment of long-term investment in the country," emphasised Won in a document sent to Vietnamese management agencies.

“However, Lotte Vietnam Shopping has been in the initial stage of investment, our business is not as good as expected, so we have made losses. This is normal for any firm that accepts losses in the short term to reach good performance in the long term. We are very confident to break even and turn a profit in the time coming,” noted Won.

Lotte Vietnam Shopping also confirmed that the audited financial statement stated nearly VND800 billion ($35.2 million) in accumulated losses, and its equity is currently VND1.6 trillion ($70.4 million).

Lotte Vietnam Shopping's accumulated losses were made through the consecutive inauguration of 13 trade centers and big supermarkets between 2009 and 2016, and the deployment of online shopping platform Speed L. "It takes an average of 5-8 years from the opening day to the breakeven point," said a company representative.

The company revealed that it has spent over VND8.9 trillion ($393 million) on infrastructure, prime land plots, and modern equipment for 13 trade centers and big supermarkets, and a series of fees for business and enterprise management.

In the highly competitive market, they have spent a lot on advertisements, promotion, and other services to gain customers’ attention. Thus, some projects have yet to gain profit as planned. Besides, some centres with good performance could not compensate for the rest.

"We expect to gain profit from 2020," confirmed Lotte Vietnam Shopping's CFO.

Lotte Vietnam Shopping, a wholly-owned South Korean firm has 13 trade centres in Vietnam. According to the 2017 financial statement of Lotte Group, Lotte Vietnam Shopping's liabilities are 45 times higher than its equity and accumulated losses are more than $100 million after 11 years of operating in Vietnam.