Boosted by a surge in sales of more profitable cosmetic items, the Matsumotokiyoshi Co., Japan's largest drugstore chain, reported a record group net profit of 7.05 billion yen for fiscal 2002.
The Chiba Prefecture-based firm said Thursday its group net profit rose 6.1 percent from the 6.64 billion yen posted a year earlier.
Consolidated operating profit jumped 20.1 percent to 13.59 billion yen, while revenue rose 4.2 percent to 267.08 billion yen.
Despite sluggish domestic consumer spending, sales at drug stores open for at least 12 months grew 1.3 percent from the previous year.
The chain runs 567 drugstores, as well as 21 supermarkets and home improvement stores.
The company attributed the brisk cosmetics sales to the introduction of a point card in April 2002.
It also cited the installment of antitheft video cameras at its premises.