JUMBO Group Limited reported net profit of S$6.2 million for the six months ended Mar 31, down 21.5 percent year-on-year, as higher staff, lease and utilities costs offset stronger turnover generated by recently opened restaurants.

Revenue rose 7.9 percent year-on-year to S$105.1 million, while the board declared a tax-exempt interim dividend of 0.5 Singapore cent per share. The company did not disclose a payment date or provide a year-ago comparison for the interim distribution.

Singapore outlets remained the main growth engine, contributing S$92.7 million of revenue, up 9.9 percent YoY, thanks to new outlet contributions that more than made up for broadly stable sales at existing stores. Turnover from the People’s Republic of China climbed 11.5 percent to S$10.7 million on targeted marketing campaigns and customer-engagement initiatives.

Cost of sales increased 6.9 percent to S$35.9 million, broadly in line with revenue expansion, but overall operating expenses climbed faster because of annual wage adjustments, additional headcount and larger premises. The squeeze on margins led to the decline in bottom-line earnings.

Looking ahead, management flagged a cautious outlook amid softer consumer sentiment, macroeconomic uncertainties and volatile energy prices. The group said it will focus on optimising outlet performance, pushing productivity gains and leveraging its pipeline of recently opened stores. It is also consolidating its headquarters and central kitchen into a single integrated facility aimed at improving operational efficiency, training and scalability.

Executive chairman and group chief executive Ang Kiam Meng noted that the first-half performance underscores brand resilience and disciplined execution but emphasised the need to “strengthen productivity, sharpen offerings and build a more efficient platform” to sustain growth in the face of cost pressures and intense competition.