El Corte Inglés is reportedly looking at possible new investments abroad, notably in Milan, as it has started to improve its profitability, after the downward curve of the last six years. Its online store is already offering its products in France and some other countries. The net profit of the diversified Spanish retail group increased by 6.2 percent to €174.3 million in the financial year ended Feb. 28, aided by strong progress in its hypermarkets and do-it-yourself store chains. The group's sales declined by 1.8 percent to €14.3 billion, but the management noted an upward trend in the fourth quarter of the year, in line with the general economic situation in Spain. The department stores of the group, which play a significant role in the Spanish sporting goods market, generated a 3.9 percent better profit of €274.8 million on 1.2 percent lower sales of €8,441.5 million as compared to the previous year.

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