Sharenet Sites 
Sharenet Sites
CLS - Clicks Group Limited - Trading Update Clicks Group Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) Registration number 1996/000645/06 JSE share code: CLS ISIN: ZAE000134854 ("Clicks Group" or "the group") TRADING UPDATE FOR 18 WEEKS TO 2 JANUARY 2011 RETAIL TRADING - Clicks turnover up 16.8% - Retail sales up 14.2% - Inflation declines rapidly Clicks increased sales by 16.8% off a high base in the 18 weeks to 2 January 2011 ("the period") as the brand continued to gain market share in its core merchandise categories. Comparable store sales grew by 13.6%. Clicks achieved strong real growth of 12.7%, with selling price inflation of only 0.9%. Total retail sales increased by 14.2% and by 11.4% on a comparable store basis. Musica continued to gain market share over Christmas although sales for the period declined by 2.1% as inflation reduced to -0.4%. Gaming and lifestyle merchandise showed good growth while CD sales slowed mainly due to limited new releases. The Body Shop increased unit sales although turnover declined by 5.3% as the business experienced selling price deflation of 10.1%. Group chief executive David Kneale said a feature of the reporting period was the rapid decline in selling price inflation which measured only 0.6% for the retail businesses in the period compared to 8.9% in the prior year. "In this lower inflationary environment we are pleased with our trading results, particularly the performance of the flagship Clicks chain which accounts for over 88% of the group`s retail sales." Kneale said consumers were highly value conscious over the festive season and responded favourably to promotional offers. "Shoppers also looked for new and differentiated products and we definitely experienced stronger sales growth in merchandise categories which offered innovation," he commented. UPD UPD increased turnover by 6.5% as the market slowed as a result of lower inflation and the faster growth in sales of lower value generic medicines. GROUP SALES Total sales for the group increased by 9.5% to R5.1 billion, with inflation declining from 9.4% to 1.8%. Turnover analysis by business unit: Turnover Turnover Inflation Inflation 18 weeks 18 weeks Same 18 weeks 18 weeks to to Total store to to 2 Jan 3 Jan sales sales 2 Jan 3 Jan
2011 2010 growth growth 2011 2010 (Rm) (Rm) (%) (%) (%) (%) Clicks 3 500.1 2 995.8 16.8 13.6 0.9 9.7 Musica 413.7 422.5 (2.1) (1.6) (0.4) 3.8 The Body Shop 44.6 47.1 (5.3) (6.4) (10.1) 2.2 Total Retail 3 958.4 3 465.4 14.2 11.4 0.6 8.9 UPD 1 837.5 1 724.8 6.5 4.4 10.5 Intragroup Turnover (698.4) (535.4) 30.4 Total group 5 097.5 4 654.8 9.5 1.8 9.4 The financial information in this trading update has not been reviewed or reported on by the group`s auditors. Clicks Group`s interim results for the six months to 28 February 2011 will be released on SENS on or about 14 April 2011. Cape Town 18 January 2011 For further information contact Tier 1 Investor Relations Tel: +27 (21) 702 3102 Sponsor Investec Bank Limited Date: 18/01/2011 10:00:01 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.
