Grupo Sanborns Expands Sales as Salesforce Advances AI

Summary: Grupo Sanborns reported higher revenue and operating income during 2Q2026, driven by stronger commercial performance, although increased spending on Oracle and Salesforce platforms, higher labor costs and larger provisions for doubtful accounts weighed on profitability. The results reflect a broader trend of Mexican retailers investing in enterprise software to improve operational efficiency and customer engagement, while Salesforce's US$3.6 billion acquisition of Fin highlights the accelerating integration of AI-powered automation into enterprise customer service and digital transformation strategies. 

Grupo Sanborns increased sales during 2Q2026, supported by growth across its commercial operations, while higher technology investments, labor costs and provisions for doubtful accounts reduced profitability. The results come as Salesforce, one of the software providers supporting the retailer's digital transformation, announced a US$3.6 billion acquisition that underscores the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enterprise operations.

According to Grupo Carso's quarterly report, Grupo Sanborns generated MX$17.81 billion (US$950 million) in revenue during the second quarter, an 8.4% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Operating income rose 11.4% to MX$806 million (US$43 million), while EBITDA increased 7.5% to MX$1.36 billion (US$73 million), positioning the commercial business among Grupo Carso's strongest-performing divisions.

The company attributed part of its higher operating costs to the implementation of Oracle and Salesforce platforms, highlighting the continued investment by Mexican retailers in enterprise technology to improve operations and customer engagement. 

Commercial Business Drives Growth

Grupo Sanborns represented 37% of Grupo Carso's consolidated revenue during the quarter, while contributing 16% of operating income and 19% of EBITDA.

Although revenue and operating earnings increased, controlling net income declined 6.3% year over year to MX$566 million (US$30 million). Net margin narrowed from 3.7% to 3.2%, while operating margin improved slightly from 4.4% to 4.5%. EBITDA margin remained unchanged at 7.7%.

Grupo Carso did not provide a breakdown of financial performance by individual retail format or business segment.

While sales continued to expand, investments in technology and personnel increased operating expenses during the quarter. 

Technology Investments Increase Costs

Operating and administrative expenses rose to MX$5.42 billion (US$289 million), compared to MX$5.0 billion (US$267 million) during 2Q2025.

Grupo Carso said the increase reflected the implementation of Oracle enterprise software and the Salesforce platform, as well as higher reserves for doubtful accounts and increased salaries.

The investments illustrate a broader trend among companies operating in Mexico as retailers continue modernizing enterprise systems to improve operational efficiency, data management and customer relationship capabilities. While these projects often increase implementation costs in the short term, they are intended to strengthen long-term productivity and digital capabilities.

Despite stronger quarterly performance, profitability weakened during the first half of the year. 

First-Half Results Show Margin Pressure

From January through June, Grupo Sanborns reported revenue of MX$34.57 billion (US$1.84 billion), representing 6% growth compared to the same period last year.

Operating income declined 8.2% to MX$1.14 billion (US$61 million), while EBITDA fell 3.8% to MX$2.26 billion (US$121 million). Controlling net income decreased 5.7% to MX$932 million (US$50 million).

Operating margin declined from 3.8% to 3.3%, while EBITDA margin decreased from 7.2% to 6.5%, reflecting continued pressure from higher operating costs despite revenue growth.

Grupo Sanborns also maintained investments outside its retail operations that continued generating earnings during the period. 

Associated Investments Add Financial Contributions

The company maintained a 15% ownership interest in Inmuebles SROM, with proportional shareholders' equity totaling MX$2.53 billion (US$135 million).

The investment generated MX$115.6 million (US$6.2 million) in revenue, operating income of MX$87.2 million (US$4.7 million) and EBITDA of MX$36.4 million (US$1.9 million).

Grupo Carso shares, traded on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the ticker GCARSO, closed the second quarter at MX$130.70 (US$6.98), up 10.8% from MX$117.90 (US$6.30) at the end of 2025. Grupo Sanborns does not maintain a separate stock market listing.

As Grupo Sanborns continues investing in enterprise software, Salesforce is expanding its own AI capabilities through acquisitions aimed at accelerating customer automation. 

Salesforce Strengthens AI Portfolio

Salesforce announced a definitive agreement to acquire AI customer service platform Fin for approximately US$3.6 billion. The transaction will expand the company's Agentforce ecosystem and accelerate deployment of autonomous AI agents across customer service operations.

"We are thrilled to welcome Fin to Salesforce as we enable every company to become an agentic enterprise," said Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce. "Together, we will help companies of every size seize this opportunity, accelerating time to value with trusted agents that deliver measurable outcomes at scale," reported MBN.  

AI Competition Accelerates Enterprise Software Development

Salesforce said Fin specializes in AI-powered customer support automation through autonomous agents capable of handling interactions across live chat, email, WhatsApp, SMS, telephone systems and Slack using its proprietary Apex AI model.

Reuters reported that Fin serves customers including Anthropic, Kalshi and DoorDash, and that the acquisition will add more than 30,000 customer organizations to Salesforce's ecosystem.

According to Salesforce, Fin's AI agents have enabled some customers to resolve an average of 76% of customer support inquiries without human intervention, reducing service costs and improving response times.

The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of Salesforce's fiscal year 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Salesforce said the acquisition will not affect its previously announced fiscal 2027 financial guidance or capital return program.

For companies operating in Mexico, the developments illustrate two parallel trends: retailers are increasing investments in enterprise platforms to modernize operations, while technology providers continue expanding AI capabilities that could shape the next generation of customer service and business automation.