BENGALURU: The Mukesh D Ambani led Reliance Industries Limited’s (RIL) organised retail segment - Reliance Retail, continued its growth momentum and profitability in the quarter ended 31 December, 2105 (Q3-2016, current quarter, Q3-16).

RIL chairman and managing director Ambani said, “Our portfolio of world-class refining and petrochemical assets are paying-off handsomely. Refining business delivered yet another record performance on the back of seven-year high refining margins and highest ever crude throughput. In the current nine-month period, our refining business EBIT has surpassed the record earnings it achieved in FY-2015. The petrochemical business also delivered amongst its best quarterly performance, driven by robust polymer margins. The benefits of low crude oil and energy prices for our downstream businesses clearly outweigh the impact of these factors on our upstream segment, reflecting in the record earnings for the quarter.”

“In the last quarter we also achieved significant milestones in our consumer facing businesses. In the biggest ever launch, Jio services have been offered to over 100,000 group employees and their families enabling them to experience the world-class digital services and applications, and help co-creating the best experience for all our customers. Our retail business crossed Rs 6,000 crore quarterly revenue milestone with a footprint now encompassing over 3,000 stores in 371 cities,” added Ambani.

Revenues from RIL’s retail segment for Q3-2016 grew by 28.9 per cent YoY to Rs 6,042 crore (8.9 per cent of consolidated net turnover) as compared to Rs 4,686 crore (five per cent of consolidated net turnover) and grew 18.7 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 5,091 crore (7.2 per cent of consolidated net turnover). RIL says that consolidated its leadership position in the grocery category. It further optimised its network operations to enhance profitability across the grocery retailing chain. Several private label products were launched under various grocery and general merchandise categories during the quarter. These continue to attract consumers due to compelling value proposition and great quality.

The business delivered operating profit growth of 10.5 per cent YoY at Rs 147 crore (2.4 per cent margin)in Q3-2016 as against Rs 133 crore, and grew 25.6 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 117 crore in Q2-2016.

RIL numbers

For Q3-2016, RIL achieved a consolidated net turnover of Rs 68,261 crore, a decrease of 27 per cent YoY, as compared to Rs 93,528 crore in Q3-2015 and 3.7 per cent lower than the Rs 70,901 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

However, RIL’s net profit after tax (PAT) increased 39.3 per cent YoY in Q3-2016 to Rs 7,431 crore as compared to the Rs 5,271 crore in Q3-2015 and increased 9.4 per cent as compared to the Rs 6,709 crore in the previous quarter.

Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited

Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL), a subsidiary of RIL, is rolling out a state-of-the-art pan India digital services business. In addition to fixed and wireless broadband connectivity offering superior voice and data services on an all-IP network, RJIL says that it will also offer end-to-end solutions that address the entire value chain across various digital services in key domains such as education, healthcare, security, communication, financial services, government-citizen interfaces and entertainment. RJIL aims to provide anytime, anywhere access to innovative and empowering digital content, applications and services, thereby propelling India into global leadership in digital economy. RJIL aims to bring connected intelligence to the country through its extensive true 4G connectivity.

RJIL is the first telecom operator to hold pan India Unified License. It holds 751.10 MHz of liberalised spectrum across the 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2300 MHz bands. RJIL plans to provide seamless 4G services using LTE in 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2300 MHz bands through an integrated ecosystem. The combined spectrum footprint across frequency bands provides significant network capacity and deep in-building coverage. In addition, RJIL has entered into agreements with RCOM for change in spectrum allotment in the 800 MHz band from RCOM to RJIL across nine circles and sharing of spectrum in the 800 MHz band across 17 circles.

Media business

Consolidated revenue and EBITDA of Network18 Media & Investments Limited was Rs 906 crore and Rs 95 crore, respectively during the quarter. Network18’s news channels (CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz and CNN-IBN) and entertainment channels (Colors, Vh1, MTV, Nick) continued to be leaders in their respective genres says the company. Network18’s digital properties Moneycontrol and Bookmyshow continued to be market leaders. Moneycontrol launched new Android and iOS versions of Moneycontrol App during the quarter.