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Feb. 27 (Asia Today) — Coupang Inc. reported record annual sales of 49.1 trillion won ($36.8 billion) in 2025 but said fourth-quarter operating profit plunged 97% following a personal data breach in December.

In a filing submitted Thursday to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the e-commerce company said annual revenue rose 14% from 41.3 trillion won ($30.9 billion) a year earlier. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased 18%.

Annual operating profit reached 679 billion won ($509 million), up 8% from 602.3 billion won ($451 million) the previous year, marking the third consecutive year of profitability. Net income for the year totaled 303 billion won ($227 million), more than triple the prior year. Earnings per share were 11 cents.

Despite the annual gains, profitability weakened sharply in the fourth quarter.

Revenue for the October-December period rose 11% on-year to 12.81 trillion won ($9.61 billion), but fell 5% from the previous quarter. Operating profit dropped to 11.5 billion won ($8.6 million) from 435.3 billion won ($326 million) a year earlier, while the operating margin narrowed to 0.09%. The company posted a quarterly net loss of 37.7 billion won ($28.3 million).

Coupang said the December data breach negatively affected revenue growth, active customer numbers, its Wow membership program and profitability, though it added that the impact has stabilized and recovery began in the first quarter.

Chairman Kim Beom-seok apologized during the earnings call, saying, “I once again apologize for the concern and inconvenience caused to our customers due to the personal information incident.”

“Our customers are the sole reason for our existence,” he said. “There is nothing more serious than failing to meet customer expectations at Coupang.”

By segment, product commerce – including Rocket Delivery, Rocket Fresh and its marketplace operations – generated fourth-quarter revenue of 10.74 trillion won ($8.06 billion), up 8% on-year. Growth businesses such as Farfetch, Taiwan, Coupang Eats and Coupang Play posted revenue of 2.07 trillion won ($1.55 billion), up 32%, but recorded an adjusted EBITDA loss of 434.9 billion won ($326 million), more than doubling from a year earlier.

Active customers in the product commerce segment totaled 24.6 million in the fourth quarter, up 8% from a year earlier but down 100,000 from the previous quarter. Revenue per active customer rose 3% on a constant currency basis to $301 (436,400 won).

Operating cash flow for the year fell to $1.8 billion from $1.91 billion, while free cash flow declined to $527 million from $1.02 billion, reflecting working capital impacts tied to the data breach and higher capital expenditures.

The company also repurchased 5.9 million shares of Class A common stock last year for $162 million.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260227010008222

A SAVVY passenger dodged an airline’s luggage charge by posting her belongings instead.

Laura Poole flew from Bristol to Glasgow on Sunday and would’ve had to pay £30 to take her clothes.

But she swerved the baggage charge, which was more than the cost of her £25 flight.

The 33-year-old cleverly packed a sports bag with most of the clothes she was taking on her trip.

Laura then shoved it in a Lidl carrier bag and dropped it off at an InPost locker.

She sent the parcel three days in advance 380 miles from Bristol to Dundee, where she was travelling to after landing in Glasgow.

The postage cost Laura just £2.29, roughly the price of a cup of coffee.

And the parcel was delivered to a Tesco Express locker a short walk from her hotel in Dundee.

She joked that she was “quietly protesting baggage fees”.

In a post on social media, she wrote: “I’m flying Bristol to Glasgow on Sunday. My flight cost £25… cabin baggage fees £30. That’s more than my flight.

“Can I afford baggage fees? Absolutely.

“Will I pay them? F*** no! (On principle)

“Packed up my gym bag with 60% of the clothes I’m taking, shoved it in a Lidl bag, then dropped it off at an Inpost locker to be posted up to Dundee and will arrive at the Tesco Express near my hotel the day I arrive, £2.29!

“And I have one less bag to carry. I did this at the end of last year too.

“It’s so good! I’m quietly protesting baggage fees.”

Laura was hailed for her smart travelling and attracted thousands of comments on social media.

One person said: “This is genius! I’m flying to Edinburgh and I hate sleeping without my own pillow. I’ll be posting myself some clothes that I can miss for a few days.”

Another wrote: “Omg Laura. This is brilliant.”

A third said: “You are so smart well done.”

A Gogglebox family has been missing a family member on their sofa in the latest series and he has now shared the reason for his absence in a hospital selfie

A Gogglebox star has revealed why he hasn’t been in front of the camera lately. Raza Siddiqui is a fan favourite on the hit Channel 4 series, but had to take time away from filming.

He had been a regular on the show since it first started in 2013. He often appeared alongside his family as they offered their thoughts on the latest shows. But he was nowhere to be seen in the latest series, leaving fans questioning where he was, while dad Sid and brothers Umar and Bassit continue to entertain.

Now, Raza has posted an update from his hospital bed. Sharing the snap on the Siddiqui family’s Instagram page, the upload showed a series of pictures of him in hospital. In some images, he was hooked up to breathing machines.

And to explain his absence from the show, the post read: “For you eagle eyed Goggleboxers, you may have noticed that Raza (@razathefaint) hasn’t joined us on the sofa so far this season. Sadly he had a bit of a fall, a few weeks back and cracked some ribs.”

The post said they fully expect him to return in a few weeks as he is recovering well. It went on: “He’s absolutely smashing his recovery, staying positive and keeping himself entertained with walks, telly, reading and nephew cuddles with Theodore.

I know you guys reaching out and sending your well wishes will put a bigger smile on his face than morphine ever could. Can’t wait for all four Siddiquis to be back on team @c4gogglebox with the rest of the fab families.”

The post was met with an influx of positivity and messages of well wishes. One user wrote: “Bless you get well soon, we look forward to having you back on our screens when you are well enough.”

Another wished him a “speedy recovery”. And a third said: “Oh no! Get well soon!”

The Siddiquis weren’t the only family to be missing a member in the latest series. Fans quickly spotted siblings Tremaine and Tristan Plummer weren’t joined by their brother Twaine. The trio had joined the programme in 2016, but Twaine was a recent absentee from the show.

On Instagram before the episode aired, Tremaine and Tristan confirmed: “It’s just the two T’s today as Twaine left us to go on holiday. So we’ve got a new member of the team now,” before picking up their adorable dog.

Twaine let his feelings be known as he responded to the post, saying: “Wish I was there.” He was quickly supported by his fans, who went on to wish him a happy birthday.

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