ACES Posts Strong 1H 2026 Performance, Expands Retail Footprint with 276th AZKO Store

JAKARTA, Jakartaweekly — PT Aspirasi Hidup Indonesia Tbk (AHI), listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange under the ticker ACES, continued to demonstrate solid business momentum in the first half of 2026, supported by resilient financial performance and an ongoing expansion strategy. The multi-brand retailer, which operates AZKO, ATARU, Pendopo, NEKA, and subsidiary-owned Toys Kingdom, strengthened its position in Indonesia’s retail market through improved operational capabilities, a growing nationwide store network, and a stronger omnichannel ecosystem. The company said these initiatives are aimed at expanding public access to quality home improvement, lifestyle, and hobby products while reinforcing long-term sustainable growth.

The retailer reported a robust improvement in profitability during the first six months of the year. Net profit attributable to shareholders climbed 33.3% year-on-year to Rp390.3 billion, while operating profit rose 32.3% to Rp509.8 billion. Meanwhile, net sales increased 6.3% to Rp4.5 trillion compared with the same period last year. The positive performance was supported by a 2.2% year-on-year Same Store Sales Growth (SSSG) through June 2026, reflecting steady consumer demand despite a challenging retail environment.

The company’s earnings were also driven by a series of strategic initiatives, including the successful rollout of the AZKO BOOM SALE promotional campaign and continuous enhancements to its omnichannel customer experience. By integrating physical stores with digital platforms, AHI has sought to provide consumers with greater convenience while strengthening customer engagement across multiple touchpoints.

Gregory S. Widjaja, Director of PT Aspirasi Hidup Indonesia Tbk, said the company’s first-half performance reflected the strength of its long-term business strategy.

“Our positive performance demonstrates that the business continues to move in the right direction, in line with our commitment to building sustainable long-term growth,” Gregory said. “We will continue to innovate, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen our business capabilities to deliver greater value for customers and stakeholders while reinforcing our position in Indonesia’s retail industry.”

Beyond financial performance, AHI continued to accelerate its physical expansion across Indonesia. During the first half of 2026, the company opened 10 new AZKO stores in five new cities—Berau, Pasuruan, Pekalongan, Timika, and Kuningan—while also launching 10 NEKA stores, evenly split between Java and regions outside the island.

The company’s latest milestone came with the opening of its first AZKO outlet in Tomohon, North Sulawesi, marking another step in its strategy of expanding into Indonesia’s fast-growing secondary and tertiary cities. The new outlet brings AZKO’s nationwide network to 276 stores across 97 cities, supported by more than three decades of retail experience. Alongside store expansion, the company continues to strengthen its integrated retail ecosystem, ranging from product sourcing and supply chain capabilities to distribution centers and omnichannel services through the ruparupa application.

This integrated infrastructure enables the retailer to maintain product availability, improve operational efficiency, and deliver a more seamless shopping experience. Customers visiting the new Tomohon outlet can access a wide range of home improvement and lifestyle products under proprietary brands such as KRISBOW, KRIS, KLAZ, STORA, SOLEIL, and OTTO KLASSE, while also benefiting from digital features including Scan & Shop, the ruparupa Rewards membership program, and access to millions of products across the wider Kawan Lama Group ecosystem.

Gregory added that every new store opening is designed to generate benefits beyond commercial expansion. According to the company, more than 50% of employees recruited for the Tomohon outlet are local residents, contributing to regional employment. The company also continues to implement community development initiatives by providing cleaning equipment and other support to public facilities such as schools and places of worship located near its operational areas.

AHI’s consistent operational execution has also been recognized through several prestigious industry awards in 2026. The company received the Corporate Image Award with “The Best” distinction in the Home Improvement Supermarket category based on Frontier’s Corporate Image Index survey, which measures public perception across four dimensions: quality, performance, responsibility, and attractiveness.

AZKO was also honored with the Digital Excellence Awards 2026 in the Top of Mind Awareness – Retail category, recognizing its achievements in digital transformation based on a nationwide survey involving approximately 19,000 respondents. In addition, the brand secured a place in the prestigious Top Brand 100, highlighting its strong consumer recognition and competitiveness within Indonesia’s increasingly dynamic retail industry.

Looking ahead, AHI plans to sustain its long-term growth trajectory by expanding its store network, strengthening supply chain capabilities, leveraging digital technology and artificial intelligence, and continuously enhancing customer experience. Supported by solid business fundamentals and growing consumer trust, the company believes these initiatives will reinforce its leadership in Indonesia’s retail sector while creating sustainable value for shareholders and customers alike.