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SHP - Shoprite Holdings - Interim Results For The 6 Months To

Release Date: 19/02/2008 08:00
Code(s): SHP
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SHP - Shoprite Holdings - Interim Results For The 6 Months To December 2007 and dividend declaration SHOPRITE HOLDINGS LIMITED Reg. No. 1936/007721/06) ISIN: ZAE000012084) JSE Share code: SHP) NSX Share code: SRH) LuSE Share code: SHOPRITE) ("the Group") Key information - Trading profit increased 42,2% to R1,020 billion. - Turnover increased 21,7% - from R19,105 billion to R23,260 billion. - Non-RSA supermarkets achieved 32,4% sales growth. - Diluted headline earnings per share rose 55,1% to 128,4 cents. - Dividend per share declared increased : 40% to 49,0 cents. Whitey Basson, chief executive, commented: The first six months of the 2008 financial year produced excellent financial results. The growth achieved exceeded the anticipated recovery following the industrial action in the latter half of 2006. It was also not restricted to those businesses whose activities were impaired by the strike, but occurred in all divisions with the exception of our furniture business. The rate of growth exceeded most of the rest of the local food retailing sector and the Group increased market share for the period under review. At the same time the Group managed to increase the trading margin from 3,8% to 4,4% due to a strong growth in turnover, coupled with strong cost control. 18 February 2008 Enquiries: Shoprite Holdings Limited Tel: (021) 980 4000 Whitey Basson, chief executive Carel Goosen, deputy managing director De Kock Communications Tel: (021) 422 2690 Ben de Kock 076 390 7725 OPERATING ENVIRONMENT During the period under review a number of factors contributed to the erosion of consumer confidence such as the Reserve Bank`s repeated raising of interest rates, a marked increase in fuel prices and sharply higher inflation that combined to reduce consumers` disposable income. In addition, the National Credit Act, introduced in the middle of 2007, put a curb on credit availability and increasingly affected sales of durable goods in particular. Traditionally, food retailing is cushioned to an extent against the effects of an economic downswing and any recessionary impact is felt much later in the food sector than elsewhere in retail. Moreover, the bulk of the Group`s business is transacted with customers who tend to be more directly affected by issues such as employment rather than other economic developments. We managed to contain our internal food inflation to 7,99%, compared to a national food inflation which accelerated to an average of 12,1% compared to 8,5% in the corresponding period. COMMENTS ON THE RESULTS Income statement Total turnover Total turnover increased by 21,7% from R19,105 billion to R23,260 billion, due mainly to the excellent performance from all the divisions, with the exception of the furniture business. The growth was in excess of the increase expected after the impairment of trading operations due to industrial action in the corresponding period. Gross profit To compete successfully in a highly aggressive South African market, the Group`s main retail brands sacrificed gross margin for turnover growth. Expenses The cost base was managed extremely well. The increase of 23,7% in employee benefits results primarily from the increase in turnover and the resultant staffing requirements in the stores. Trading profit Given the strong growth in turnover, the margins achieved and the strictly contained overhead costs, trading profit advanced 42,2% to exceed at the halfway mark a record amount of R1 billion. Trading margin The trading margin of 4,4% is a factor of the strong growth in turnover against a slower increase in expenditure. A contributing factor was the growth in the Group`s higher-margin non-RSA operations. Interest received and finance costs The strong spurt in net interest received resulted from the increases in interest rates and the stronger cash flow, generated by higher turnover and a slower increase in stockholding. Exchange rate differences The smaller forex profit stemmed from the slight strengthening of the currencies of the main countries in which the Group trades in Africa and the rand`s fluctuation against the US dollar. Dividend declared The Board declared an interim dividend of 49,0 cents per ordinary share (2007: 35,0 cents), representing a 40% increase. Balance sheet Inventories The increase of 14,1% in inventory to R4,650 billion was lower than the increase in turnover. This was after provisioning 38 new supermarkets and 26 furniture stores opened in the previous 12 months, the aggressive buying forward for the Group`s annual Back to School promotions early in 2008, and a further weakening in supplier service standards that forced the Group to stockpile certain product categories to ensure a regular flow of merchandise to its outlets. Cash and cash equivalents A favourable balance sheet closing date produced a temporary surge in net cash and cash equivalents from R1,563 billion to R2,619 billion and should be read with the increase in trade creditors. OPERATIONAL REVIEW The Group experienced, both in turnover growth and profitability, a buoyant first half. Turnover increased by 21,7% to R23,260 billion while trading profit was boosted 42,2% to R1,020 billion from R717 million in the corresponding period. This should be seen within the context of a food retail sector that grew strongly, although the Group`s rate of growth enabled it to increase market share. A number of factors contributed to the substantial improvement in sales: the emerging middle class continued to be a strong economic driver; the extended interruption in the operation of the national Lotto - which siphons considerable cash out of the market - channelled some of that income into retail, while there are increasing indications that more and more money from the extensive informal sector is finding its way into the formal sector. There is every evidence that the Group`s wide product and service offering that includes pharmacies, liquor outlets and Money Market services, is appealing increasingly to consumers of all income groups. To capitalise on this support, services and aspirational product ranges were extended, IT applications expanded and the Group-wide refurbishment programme accelerated to enhance consumers` shopping experience. Most new supermarkets - 38 were added in the 2007 calendar year - were opened in predominantly under-serviced residential areas. All of them are performing ahead of budget. Number of outlets JUN 2007 Opened Closed DEC JUN 2008 2007 Confirmed
new stores SUPERMARKETS 604 22 4 622 20 - SHOPRITE 364 10 1 373 5 - CHECKERS 117 3 1 119 5 - CH HYPER 24 0 0 24 0 - USAVE 99 9 2 106 10 HUNGRY LION 97 12 0 109 11 FURNITURE 216 15 2 229 8 - OK FURNITURE 185 11 2 194 4 - HOUSE & HOME 31 4 0 35 4 TOTAL OWN STORES 917 49 6 960 39 - OK FRANCHISE 260 17 21 256 5 - H/LION 4 0 0 4 0 FRANCHISE TOTAL FRANCHISE 264 17 21 260 5 TOTAL STORES 1181 66 27 1220 44 COUNTRIES 16 0 0 16 OUTSIDE RSA RSA supermarkets The Group`s supermarket operation in South Africa, encompassing three chains - Shoprite, Checkers and Usave - forms the core of the business and grew sales by 22,1% to R18,449 billion. The increase in the number of customer transactions was satisfactory and the growth in basket size was in line with the Group`s internal inflation. All three major chains contributed to the overall 1,3% market share increase to 28,8%. The Group now operates 523 stores country-wide, having opened 17 during the reporting period. Shoprite Shoprite, with 301 local stores increased turnover by 27,3% to R11,049 billion. Its low-price positioning proved highly attractive to consumers, battered by cost increases and it benefited considerably from consumers buying down, as is evident from the strong increase in the number of customer transactions. At the same time, its traditional customer base not only remained loyal but also grew in actual numbers. Shoprite`s market share gain was the highest in the Group. The chain`s growth must, however, be viewed against the background of the inhibiting effect industrial action had on turnover in the corresponding period . Even allowing for a correction following that disruption, the results for the first six months still provide strong evidence of a first-rate achievement. Checkers During the review period Checkers continued upgrading stores, refining product choice and improving customer relations and service delivery to satisfy the demands of a more exacting customer base. A strong growth in Checkers, which was hardly, if at all, affected by the industrial action of 2006, was again reported, although Checkers was not entirely exempt from some of the fall-out from the downturn in the South African economy. It nevertheless grew turnover 13,4% to R6,912 billion in its 139 stores while increasing the number of customer transactions and the value per transaction. Usave This small-format, no-frills discounter of mainly hard groceries continues to achieve substantial growth in all areas of its business. Its main focus is on growing its number of outlets, now standing at 83 and on increasing its number of higher-margin private labels, which now top 100 item lines. During the review period it boosted sales by 44,1%, due to a healthy increase in customer transactions and an increase in the value per transaction. Supermarkets outside South Africa In rand terms, the Group`s operations outside of South Africa still represent roughly 12% of sales and trading profit. The decision to concentrate on the oil rich western coast of Africa seems to be correct. The established countries also produced good results. During the review period the Group finally opened its first supermarket in Ghana, delayed by a fire in the previous financial year. Located in a modern retail mall in Accra, it is exceeding expectations. In neighbouring Nigeria, the Group has bought land in Lagos for a second supermarket and is securing further sites. In addition,the Group acquired two sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo for development. OK Franchise In line with the rest of the food industry, the Franchise Division did well, increasing turnover by 17,7%. Operating off an increasingly stable franchise holder base, the division focused strongly on marketing the benefits of membership to small independent retailers, especially those in an urban environment, thus complementing its strong rural presence. What was particularly pleasing was the increase in the loyalty of existing franchise holders as measured by the percentage growth in purchases from the Group. The number of franchise holders now stands at 256. Furniture The cumulative impact on consumers of higher interest rates, fuel prices and food costs, was nowhere felt more strongly than in the market for durable and semi-durable goods. In contrast to the food sector, the market for durable goods such as home appliances and entertainment products still experienced virtually no inflation, forcing traders to continue chasing unit sales, discounting heavily in a highly competitive environment, to boost or even just maintain turnover figures. The Group`s Furniture Division managed to grow sales by 3,2%, but at the expense of margins, resulting in a drop of 19,0% in trading profit. Under the circumstances the Furniture Division weathered these difficult conditions well by running a very tight ship with strict stock management, a reduced debtors` book and low exposure to bad debt. During the review period 15 new stores were added to bring the total number of outlets to 229. GROUP PROSPECTS AND OUTLOOK The Board does not expect the very good results of the first half of the financial year to be maintained for the full year. Although the food sector does not feel the effects of an economic downturn as immediately or acutely as some other sectors, it is not immune to it. Global pressures are also expected to impact on the local economy and the outlook is bound to worsen further, especially in the short term, particularly as the effects of the present energy crisis are experienced more widely in all sectors, from agriculture to heavy industry. Because of the Group`s experience of trading in Africa where erratic power supply is the order of the day, it took the precaution in time of providing adequate stand-by power for its outlets in order to operate without interruption. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE The Group is committed to the principles embodied in the Code of Corporate Practice and Conduct in the King Report 2002 ("the Code"). The Group complies with the significant requirements incorporated in the Code and in the Listings Requirements of the JSE Ltd. DIVIDEND NO 118 The Board has declared an interim dividend of 49,0 cents (2007: 35,0 cents) per ordinary share, payable to shareholders on Monday 17 March 2008. The last day to trade cum dividend will be Friday, 7 March 2008. As from Monday, 10 March 2008, all trading of Shoprite Holdings Ltd shares will take place ex dividend. The record date is Friday, 14 March 2008. Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Monday, 10 March 2008, and Friday, 14 March 2008, both days inclusive. ACCOUNTABILITY These condensed consolidated interim results have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), IAS 34: Interim Reporting, and Schedule 4 of the South African Companies Act (Act no 61 of 1973), as amended. The accounting policies are consistent with those used in the annual financial statements for the financial period ended June 2007, with the following exceptions: With the introduction of new accounting statement IFRS 7: Financial Instruments: Disclosures and the amendment to IAS 1: Presentation of Financial Statements: Capital Disclosures, all related items in the Group are now presented in accordance with these statements. These statements require retrospective application and had no significant effect on the Group`s results. The calculation for headline earnings were adjusted retrospectively in terms of SAICA Circular 8/2007: Headline Earnings. This recalculation had the following effect on the comparative information previously presented: Unaudited Audited 6 months for the year
ended Dec 06 ended Jun 07 Cents Cents Decrease in headline earnings - 0.6 per share Decrease in diluted headline - 0.5 earnings per share CONDENSED GROUP INCOME STATEMENT Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months % 6 months for the year R`000 ended Dec 07 change ended Dec 06 ended Jun 07 Sale of merchandise 23 259 616 21.7 19 105 298 38 949 845 Cost of sales (18 602 366) 21.9 (15 265 063) (30 952 417) Gross profit 4 657 250 21.3 3 840 235 7 997 428 Other operating 421 019 5.9 397 710 798 454 income Depreciation and (279 661) 13.0 (247 494) (517 397) amortisation Operating leases (526 798) 13.1 ( 465 896) (997 735) Employee benefits (1 839 937) 23.7 (1 487 189) (3 100 627) Other expenses (1 412 238) 7.0 (1 320 093) (2 582 431) Trading profit 1 019 635 42.2 717 273 1 597 692 Exchange rate gains 7 065 (63.8) 19 504 23 725 (Expenditure)/income (4 573) (120,9) 21 835 60 935 of a capital nature Operating profit 1 022 127 34.7 758 612 1 682 352 Interest received 88 694 81.9 48 755 109 332 Finance costs (25 679) (44.5) (46 237) (83 570) Profit before tax 1 085 142 42.6 761 130 1 708 114 Tax (401 852) 34.6 (298 604) (622 586) Profit for the 683 290 47.7 462 526 1 085 528 period
ATTRIBUTABLE TO: Equity holders of 674 653 48.2 455 224 1 076 071 the Company Minority interest 8 637 18.3 7 302 9 457 683 290 462 526 1 085 528 Earnings per share 133.0 48.3 89.7 212.1 (cents) Diluted earnings per 127.8 47.7 86.5 203.9 share (cents) Ordinary dividend 101.0 per share (cents) Final/interim 66.0 43.5 46.0 35.0 dividend paid Interim/final 49.0 40.0 35.0 66.0 dividend declared Number of weighted average ordinary shares (`000) used for calculation of : earnings per share 507 320 507 345 507 320 diluted earnings 527 804 526 384 527 709 per share CONDENSED GROUP BALANCE SHEET Unaudited Unaudited Audited R`000 Dec-07 Dec-06 Jun-07 ASSETS Non-current assets 4 724 238 4 062 604 4 403 668 Property, plant and equipment 4 115 159 3 592 185 3 804 159 Available-for-sale investments 27 894 18 437 23 738 Loans and receivables 47 402 32 384 43 990 Deferred tax assets 232 510 162 483 252 749 Intangible assets 297 024 255 074 277 901 Fixed escalation operating lease 4 249 2 041 1 131 accrual Current assets 9 299 360 7 886 336 7 476 005 Inventories 4 650 266 4 073 930 3 699 199 Other current assets 1 898 381 1 742 495 1 521 906 Assets classified as held for 24 981 128 236 236 249 sale Available-for-sale investments - 46 526 - Loans and receivables 3 898 11 317 6 425 Cash and cash equivalents 2 721 834 1 883 832 2 012 226 Total assets 14 023 598 11 948 940 11 879 673 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Total equity 3 982 153 3 215 554 3 688 771 Capital and reserves 3 926 022 3 163 099 3 639 181 attributable to equity holders Minority interest 56 131 52 455 49 590 Non-current liabilities 753 145 720 769 724 188 Borrowings 2 498 2 510 2 498 Deferred tax liabilities 12 642 8 960 8 803 Provisions 292 414 254 079 264 185 Fixed escalation operating lease 445 591 455 220 448 702 accrual Current liabilities 9 288 300 8 012 617 7 466 714 Other current liabilities 9 137 637 7 646 308 7 370 776 Provisions 47 394 45 743 71 414 Bank overdraft 103 269 320 566 24 524 Total liabilities 10 041 445 8 733 386 8 190 902 Total equity and liabilities 14 023 598 11 948 940 11 879 673 RECONCILIATION OF HEADLINE EARNINGS Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months 6 months % for the year
R`000 ended Dec ended Dec change ended Jun 07 07 06 Net profit attributable 674 653 455 224 1 076 071 to shareholders Expenditure/(income) of a 4 573 (21 835) (63 561) capital nature Loss/(profit) on disposal 711 (24 191) (23 876) of property Loss/(profit) on disposal and scrapping of plant, equipment and intangible assets 3 600 (1 429) 6 259 Insurance claim received - - (14 053) for building Impairment of property, - - 720 plant and equipment Impairment of goodwill - 3 785 - Profit on disposal of - - (33 459) listed investment Loss on other investing 262 - 848 activities Tax effect on items of a (1 335) 2 316 10 429 capital nature Headline earnings 677 891 435 705 1 022 939 Earnings per share 133.0 89.7 48.3 212.1 (cents) Diluted earnings per 127.8 86.5 47.7 203.9 share (cents) Headline earnings per 133.6 85.9 55.5 201.6 share (cents) Diluted headline earnings 128.4 82.8 55.1 193.8 per share (cents)
Ordinary dividend per 101.0 share (cents) Final/interim dividend 66.0 46.0 43.5 35.0 paid Interim/final dividend 49.0 35.0 40.0 66.0 declared CONDENSED GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months 6 months for the year R`000 ended Dec 07 ended Dec 06 ended Jun 07 Notes Cash generated by 1 756 497 2 137 506 3 465 407 operations Operating profit 1 022 127 758 612 1 682 352 Less: investment (5 594) (6 059) (7 712) income Non-cash items 1 335 813 242 388 548 150 Cash settled share (93 138) (32 977) (62 021) options Changes in working 2 497 289 1 175 542 1 304 638 capital Net interest received 67 658 6 703 29 652 Dividends received 951 1 874 3 822 Dividends paid (335 742) (234 933) (417 461) Tax paid (412 051) (287 321) (524 352) Cash flows from 1 077 313 1 623 829 2 557 068 operating activities Cash flows utilised (443 100) (579 455) (1 109 298) by investing activities
Purchase of property, plant (644 383) (658 754) (1 258 609) and equipment and intangible assets Proceeds on disposal of 204 921 75 799 106 061 assets held for sale, property, plant and equipment and intangible assets Proceeds on disposal of - 3 542 54 528 listed investment Acquisition of operations (5 909) - (14 192) Acquisition of listed - (4 407) - investment Other investment activities 2 271 4 365 2 914 Cash flows from financing - 303 99 activities Acquisition of treasury - - (220) shares Other financing activities - 303 319
Movement in cash and cash 634 213 1 044 677 1 447 869 equivalents Effect of exchange rate (3 350) (18 115) 3 129 movements on cash and cash equivalents Net movement in cash and cash 630 863 1 026 562 1 450 998 equivalents
CASH FLOW INFORMATION 1. NON-CASH ITEMS Depreciation on property, 282 092 252 612 527 674 plant and equipment Amortisation of intangible 11 258 7 438 15 493 assets Net fair value (gains)/losses (1 967) 20 689 20 620 on financial instruments Exchange rate gains (7 065) (19 504) (23 725) Loss/(profit) on disposal of 711 (24 192) (23 876) property and assets held for sale Loss/(profit) on disposal and 3 600 (1 428) 6 259 scrapping of plant, equipment and intangible assets Impairment of property, plant - - 720 and equipment Loss on other investing 262 - 848 activities Realisation of profits in - - (33 459) fair value reserve on disposal of listed investment Impairment of goodwill - 3 785 - Loss on disposal of listed - 865 - investment Movement in provisions 5 933 (3 743) 32 334 Movement in cash-settled 45 724 163 17 892 share-based payment accrual Movement in fixed escalation (4 735) 5 703 7 370 operating lease accrual 335 813 242 388 548 150 2. CHANGES IN WORKING CAPITAL Inventories (956 631) (826 150) (419 734) Trade and other receivables (346 299) (286 034) (76 463) Trade and other payables 1 800 219 2 287 726 1 800 835 497 289 1 175 542 1 304 638
CONDENSED SEGMENT INFORMATION Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months % 6 months for the year ended Dec Change ended Dec 06 ended Jun 07
07 R`000 SEGMENT REVENUE - by business segment - Supermarkets 22 041 909 23.0 17 924 867 36 810 824 - Furniture 1 217 707 3.2 1 180 431 2 139 021 Total segment revenue 23 259 616 21.7 19 105 298 38 949 845
SEGMENT RESULT - by business segment - Supermarkets 920 498 51.6 606 999 1 408 866 (including unallocated) - Furniture 100 608 (18.7) 123 719 204 839 Total segment result 1 021 106 39.7 730 718 1 613 705 Segment result comprises trading profit plus exchange rate gains less investment income. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Unaudited Unaudited Audited R`000 Dec 07 Dec 06 Jun 07 Capital commitments 254 181 328 030 311 180 Contingent liabilities 34 093 60 004 57 593 Net asset value per share 774 623 717 (cents) Total number of shares in issue 507 345 507 345 507 345 (adjusted for treasury shares) CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months 6 months for the year R`000 ended Dec 07 ended Dec 06 ended Jun 07 Balance at beginning of July 3 688 771 3 082 868 3 082 868 Net movement in treasury - - (220) shares Net fair value profits on 3 535 14 982 31 210 available-for-sale investments, net of tax Net profit for the period 683 290 462 526 1 085 528 Realisation of profits on - - (33 459) disposal of listed investment Cash settlement of share (38 645) (63 821) (79 927) options Foreign currency translation (17 871) (45 777) 20 566 differences Dividends distributed to (336 927) (235 224) (417 795) shareholders Balance at end of 3 982 153 3 215 554 3 688 771 December/June By Order of the board: JW Basson and CH Wiese DIRECTORATE Executive directors JW Basson (chief executive), CG Goosen (deputy managing director), B Harisunker, AE Karp, EL Nel, AN van Zyl, BR Weyers Non-executive directors CH Wiese (chairman), JJ Fouche, TRP Hlongwane, JA Louw, JF Malherbe, JG Rademeyer Alternate directors JAL Basson, M Bosman, PC Engelbrecht, JD Wiese Company secretary AN van Zyl ADMINISTRATION Registered office Cnr William Dabs and Old Paarl Roads, Brackenfell, 7560, South Africa. PO Box 215, Brackenfell, 7561, South Africa Telephone: +27 (0) 21 980 4000 - Facsimile: +27 (0) 21 980 4050 Website: www.shopriteholdings.co.za Transfer secretaries South Africa Computershare Investor Services 2004 (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 61051, Marshalltown, 2107, South Africa Telephone: +27 (0)11 370 5000 - Facsimile: +27 (0)11 688 5238 Website: www.computershare.com Namibia Transfer Secretaries (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 2401, Windhoek, Namibia Telephone: +264 (0)61 227 647 - Facsimile: +264 0(61) 248 531 Zambia Lewis Nathan Advocates, PO Box 37268, Lusaka, Zambia Telephone: +260 (0)1 223 174 - Facsimile: +260 (0)1 229 868 Sponsors South Africa Nedbank Capital, PO Box 1144, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa Telephone: +27 (0)11 295 8602 - Facsimile: +27 (0)11 294 8602 Website: www.nedbank.co.za Namibia Old Mutual Investment Group (Namibia) (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 25549, Windhoek, Namibia Telephone: +264 (0)61 299 3527 - Facsimile: +264 (0)61 299 3528 Zambia Lewis Nathan Advocates, PO Box 37268, Lusaka, Zambia Telephone: +260 (0)1 223 174 - Facsimile: +260 (0)1 229 868 Auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers Incorporated., PO Box 2799, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa Telephone: +27 (0)21 529 2000 - Facsimile: +27 (0)21 529 3300 19 February 2008 Date: 19/02/2008 08:00:02 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on, information disseminated through SENS.