How did the Group perform during the fiscal year under review, and what were the principal factors behind that performance
For the consolidated performance of the 49th fiscal year (April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024), we achieved increased revenue and profits: sales reached 192,992 million yen (a 9.1% increase from the previous fiscal year), operating profit was 6,920 million yen (up 6.4%), ordinary profit was 7,318 million yen (up 7.4%), and net income attributable to owners of the parent company was 5,175 million yen (up 35.3%).The G-7 Group has based its management on respecting human dignity, prioritizing customers, and maintaining a hands-on approach, thus enhancing the satisfaction of stakeholders such as customers, shareholders, employees, and local communities. Additionally, under our group policy theme of "further refining our profit-making ability," we have focused on rebuilding human resources and organizational structures, emphasizing profit over sales, and working to expand our profitability. Sales showed steady growth, driven by the positive effects of opening new stores. Despite increased costs such as higher electricity rates due to rising energy prices and increased expenses from new store openings, these were offset by increased revenue, resulting in higher profits. As inflation and price increases for goods and services continue, consumers are becoming more budget-conscious, and costs for raw materials, logistics, and labor are rising, creating a challenging business environment. Our group will continue to rebuild human resources and organizational structures, enhance productivity with a focus on profit, refine our profit-making ability, expand profitability, and build a robust business structure capable of stable growth through a strong management system and diversified business development. For the consolidated performance forecast for the 50th fiscal year (April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025), we expect sales of 220,000 million yen (a 14.0% increase from the previous fiscal year), operating profit of 8,200 million yen (up 18.5%), ordinary profit of 8,500 million yen (up 16.1%), and net income attributable to owners of the parent company of 5,600 million yen (up 8.2%).The G-7 Group is strengthening its sustainability efforts to contribute to a sustainable society by leveraging the strengths of each business (for details, please see "Series Vol. 6" in this paper and our website). We will continue to meet the expectations of our stakeholders, including our shareholders, by contributing to a sustainable society through the strengths of each business. For the current fiscal year, we have set an interim dividend of 20 yen per share and a year-end dividend of 20 yen per share. We sincerely ask our shareholders for their continued guidance and support.