Emperia Holding enjoys H1 profit surge

On top of this success it is also preparing to expand its empire further with new acquisitions. Emperia's sales revenues amounted to zł.2.18 billion and its net profit to zł.50.8 million in H1 2007, as compared to zł.666.3 million and zł.13.8 million, respectively, in H1 2006. Company CEO Artur Kawa revealed that Emperia is in talks regarding the takeover of both wholesale and retail trade companies. "Large businesses are at stake. Their annual revenues range from zł.50 million to over zł.100 million," said Kawa. Emperia plans a second IPO in September in order to raise over zł.200 million to finance the acquisitions. The company wants to secure a place as a leading sector player and then expand abroad. "Further consolidation is inevitable. I believe that within several years, around five large trade groups will dominate the market," said Kawa. Many analysts agree with his statement. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 10; Parkiet, p. 4) E.B.