Sales of $1,219.3 million for the third quarter of 2019-2020

Montreal, April 14, 2020 – The SAQ today announced its financial results for the third quarter of its fiscal year, which ended on January 4, 2020. Compared with the third quarter of its preceding fiscal year, sales rose 5.2% to $1,219.3 million. This increase enabled the SAQ declare net earnings of $448 million, remitted in its entirety to the Quebec government.

Store and specialized centre network (permit holders, agency stores and other customers)

• Sales up 5.4%.
• Dollar sales totalled $1,097 million, a $56.2 million increase.
• Volume sales grew 3.8% to 57.7 million litres.

Wholesale grocer network

• Sales increased $4 million.
• Dollar sales in this network totalled $122.6 million (+3.4%).
• The corresponding volume sales rose 5.7%, ending the quarter at 14.8 million litres.

Ratio of net expenses to sales
The SAQ improved its ratio of net expenses to sales to 13.6% versus 14% in the third quarter of fiscal 2018-2019.

Average shopping cart
In the third quarter, the average shopping cart of purchases made by store customers totalled $54.25, compared with $54.97 in the corresponding quarter of the preceding fiscal year. The average sales price per litre was $20.90 as opposed to $20.56 in the third quarter of fiscal 2018-2019.

Quarterly Report Q3 2019-2020 is now available (in French only).
 
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COVID-19
The SAQ is publishing its results in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. In adapting to this unprecedented situation, the company has implemented significant preventive measures in line with public health recommendations. These include compliance with social distancing guidelines in stores and queues, limiting the number of customers in stores, adopting rigorous hygiene and sanitation measures and installing plexiglass shields at checkout counters.

The SAQ has long provided support to Quebecers who find themselves in a precarious position. That is why it has responded to a call from Food Banks of Quebec with a $1 million donation.

In addition, the SAQ is maintaining its donations and sponsorship program and will continue honouring its commitment to the community organizations, foundations and festivals it supports in every region of Quebec, even if the associated events have to be cancelled due to the current circumstances.

To learn more about the measures implemented by the SAQ in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.