Mzee @deal how were you able to calculate operating margin from the results as provided? Could you be referring to net profit margin?
I also didn't pick where management said
'business was slow in 1H' as you claim. Are we reading the same commentary?
Otherwise the sales per square foot shows good insight on your part. Ditto the comparison to Mr Price SA; which seems like a much better run business.
Note though Mr Price SA is one brand, but Deacons makes most from Woolworths/Truworths closely followed by Mr Price and then includes a litter of other brands e.g. Adiddas, Identity, Life Fitness
http://deacons.co.ke/site/images/interimaccounts.pdf