Askul Corporation (TSE: 2678), which runs Japan's leading business-to-business office-supply marketplace (ASKUL and Soloel Arena) alongside the LOHACO consumer site and its own delivery and logistics network, reported results for the year ended May 20, 2026. Under Japanese GAAP, consolidated revenue fell 16.8% to ¥400.20 billion, and the company swung to an operating loss of ¥17.45 billion (from a ¥14.00 billion profit), an ordinary loss of ¥19.06 billion and a net loss attributable to owners of ¥22.15 billion (from a ¥9.07 billion profit). Loss per share was ¥245.41.
Ransomware attack halted operations
The downturn followed a large-scale ransomware attack that struck on October 19, 2025 and forced Askul to suspend order intake and shipping across its ASKUL, Soloel Arena and LOHACO platforms. Because Askul also runs logistics for other retailers, the outage disrupted online sales at partners including Muji and Loft, and a related data breach exposed about 740,000 records. Operations were restored only gradually — initially via fax orders, then through the phased reopening of distribution centres — gutting second-half sales and profitability. The non-consolidated parent's revenue fell 21.3% and it booked a ¥22.40 billion net loss.
Balance sheet and dividend
Net assets fell to ¥51.46 billion and the equity ratio dropped to 20.8% from 34.2%, while operating cash flow turned negative at −¥10.80 billion. Askul cut its annual dividend to ¥10.00 per share (no interim payment plus a ¥10 year-end dividend) from ¥38.00, and cancelled five million treasury shares, leaving 89.77 million shares outstanding.
Outlook
For the year to May 2027, Askul guides a recovery as it rebuilds its systems and security governance and normalises operations: revenue of ¥490.00 billion (+22.4%), a return to operating profit of ¥7.00 billion, ordinary profit of ¥6.30 billion, net profit of ¥4.00 billion and EPS of ¥44.68, with the annual dividend raised back to ¥20.
| Metric | FY5/26 | FY5/25 | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue (¥m) | 400,199 | 481,101 | −16.8% |
| Operating profit (¥m) | −17,445 | 14,004 | — |
| Ordinary profit (¥m) | −19,062 | 13,816 | — |
| Net profit attrib. (¥m) | −22,150 | 9,068 | — |
| EPS (¥) | −245.41 | 95.45 | — |
| Equity ratio | 20.8% | 34.2% | −13.4pp |
| Dividend (¥) | 10.00 | 38.00 | −73.7% |
JapanStockPulse provides informational content only and does not constitute investment advice. Figures are taken from the company's published earnings short report and may be subject to subsequent revision.