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Unaudited interim group results for the 26 weeks ended 29 September 2018, cash dividend declaration
MR PRICE GROUP LIMITED
Registration number 1933/004418/06
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa
ISIN: ZAE 000200457
JSE share code: MRP
(“Mr Price” or “the Company” or “the Group”)
UNAUDITED INTERIM GROUP RESULTS FOR THE 26 WEEKS ENDED 29 SEPTEMBER 2018, CASH DIVIDEND DECLARATION
PRESS RELEASE
MR PRICE GROUP LIMITED REPORTS SOLID RESULTS IN A TOUGH RETAIL ENVIRONMENT
[Durban, 22 November 2018] Mr Price today released its interim results for the 26 weeks ended 29 September 2018. Headline earnings per share (HEPS) and dividends per share (DPS) increased by 11.6% to 494.3 cents and 311.4 cents respectively. Diluted headline earnings per share increased by 11.1% to 482.4 cents.
“Sales growth in our apparel and homeware segments were ahead of the market for the period, a positive indication of market share gains. To deliver double digit earnings and dividend growths in a tough economic and retail environment is a pleasing result.” said CFO Mark Blair.
Total revenue grew 7.8% to R10.5bn supported by retail sales growth of 6.6% (comparable stores 3.9%) to R9.7bn. Other income, mainly from financial services and cellular, grew 24.7% to R801m. Cash sales which constitute 83.4% of total sales grew 7.5% while credit sales increased 2.2%. Local retail sales increased 6.2% while non-South African sales grew 11.4%, aided by the acquisition of the Kenyan franchise stores in May 2018. Retail selling price inflation was 4.5% and 100m units were sold, an increase of 2.9%. By opening 34 new stores and expanding 2, weighted average space grew by 3.7%. After closing 6 and reducing the size of 13 stores, net weighted average space growth was 1.4%, taking the total number of corporate owned stores to 1 286. Group retail sales densities increased 6.2% as space optimisation initiatives continue to deliver the desired results.
Merchandise and cellular gross margin gains contributed to the group, improving its gross profit margin by 60bps to 42.6%. Merchandise margins improved 80bps to 43.3% as continued product execution resulted in more full priced items sold and lower markdowns. Cellular margins increased 30bps to 19.1%. Selling and administration expenses increased 7.7% (excluding Kenya 6.6%), positively impacting operating profit growth, which was up 10.9% to R1.7bn. The operating margin improved from 15.7% to 16.2% of retail sales and other income (RSOI).
The Apparel segment grew RSOI by 6.2% to R7.3bn. Operating profit increased 11.2% off a strong base, particularly in MRP Apparel and Miladys. The operating margin increased from 16.1% to 16.9%. Sales in MRP Apparel increased 5.9% (comparable 3.0%) to R5.9bn. Online sales grew at 31.6%, supporting the omni channel strategy. Miladys grew sales 8.3% (comparable 8.2%). MRP Sport reported improved performance with sales growth of 7.3% (comparable 2.3%), with online sales growing at 40.4%.
The Home segment increased RSOI by 7.2% to R2.4bn. Operating profit increased 13.8% and the operating margin increased from 13.4% to 14.3%. Sales in MRP Home were up 9.2% (comparable 6.6%) with improved sales in bedroom and furniture departments and growth in the online channel of 29.0%. Sheet Street grew sales by 4.5% (comparable 2.5%).
The Financial Services & cellular segment reported growth of 23.5% lifting revenue to R673m. Interest and fees increased 7.5% to R246m, Insurance revenue grew 7.6% to R131m, while revenue in the Cellular division accelerated to R296m, an increase of 52.3%. Cellular products are now sold through 249 locations across the group and its centralised call centre.
The group’s financial position remains healthy. Net asset value per share increased by 15.6% to 2 967 cents. Cash and cash equivalents increased 63.8% to R2.6bn. Capital expenditure of R173m was incurred primarily relating to store development activities. Inventory levels were 7.3% higher in order to better manage the transition of seasons and peak season supply chain risks. The debtors book remains well managed, with a retail net bad debt to book ratio of 6.2% (8.4% including collections) and an IFRS 9 impairment provision of 8.3%.
Blair commented: “Independent research has confirmed that consumers’ perception of MRP’s quality and fashion has improved relative to our competitors, and that our price positioning has been further entrenched. Declining GDP growth in South Africa and rising fiscal challenges, as noted in the most recent medium term budget speech, points to further challenging trading conditions ahead for South African retailers. Despite this, we remain confident that our fashion value business model is well positioned to capture further market share.”
ENDS
Contact
Investor Relations
Matt Warriner
Mr Price Group Ltd
MWarriner@mrpg.com
+27 31 334 1652
UNAUDITED INTERIM GROUP RESULTS FOR THE 26 WEEKS ENDED 29 SEPTEMBER 2018 AND CASH DIVIDEND DECLARATION
INTERIM CASH DIVIDEND DECLARATION
Notice is hereby given that an interim gross cash dividend of 311.40 cents per share has been declared for the 26 weeks ended 29 September 2018, an increase of 11.6%. As the dividend has been declared from income reserves, shareholders, unless exempt or who qualify for a reduced withholding tax rate, will receive a net dividend of 249.12 cents per share. The dividend withholding tax rate is 20%.
The issued share capital at the declaration date is 256 795 727 listed ordinary and 8 145 234 unlisted B ordinary shares. The tax reference number is 9285/130/20/0.
The salient dates for the dividend will be as follows:
Last date to trade 'cum' the dividend Tuesday 11 Dec 2018
Date trading commences 'ex' the dividend Wednesday 12 Dec 2018
Record date Friday 14 Dec 2018
Payment date Tuesday 18 Dec 2018
Shareholders may not dematerialise or rematerialise their share certificates between Wednesday, 12 December 2018 and Friday, 14 December 2018, both dates inclusive.
The dividend was approved on behalf of the Board on 20 November 2018 in Durban by:
NG Payne – Chairman
SI Bird - Chief Executive Officer
DIRECTORS
SB Cohen* (Honorary Chairman), NG Payne* (Chairman), SI Bird (CEO),
MM Blair (CFO), N Abrams*^, MJ Bowman*, M Chauke*, SA Ellis^,
K Getz*, MR Johnston*, RM Motanyane-Welch*, D Naidoo*, BJ Niehaus*
* Non-executive director ^ Alternate director
SPONSOR
Rand Merchant Bank (a division of FirstRand Bank Limited)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
2018 2017 2018
29 Sep 30 Sep 31 Mar
R’m
Assets
Non-current assets 2 657 2 600 2 628
Property, plant and equipment 2 088 2 076 2 092
Intangible assets 457 448 433
Long-term receivables
and other assets 26 18 18
Defined benefit fund asset 63 48 63
Deferred taxation assets 23 10 22
Current assets 7 360 6 249 7 491
Inventories 2 322 2 159 2 215
Trade and other receivables 2 192 2 275 2 369
Derivative financial instruments 33 22 1
Reinsurance assets 246 212 146
Taxation 5 21 4
Cash and cash equivalents 2 562 1 560 2 756
Total assets 10 017 8 849 10 119
Equity and liabilities
Equity attributable to shareholders 7 666 6 616 7 455
Non-current liabilities 262 301 257
Lease obligations 220 171 214
Deferred taxation liabilities - 52 1
Long-term liabilities 12 51 13
Post retirement medical benefits 30 27 29
Current liabilities 2 089 1 932 2 407
Trade and other payables 1 895 1 852 1 982
Derivative financial instruments 15 - 133
Reinsurance liabilities 46 33 38
Current portion of lease obligations 35 46 36
Taxation 92 1 182
Bank overdrafts 6 - 36
Total equity and liabilities 10 017 8 849 10 119
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
2018 2017 2018
29 Sep 30 Sep % 31 Mar
R’m 26 weeks 26 weeks change 52 weeks
Revenue 10 539 9 778 7.8 21 347
Retail sales 9 738 9 135 6.6 19 994
Other income 698 576 21.2 1 191
Retail sales and other income 10 436 9 711 7.5 21 185
Costs and expenses 8 743 8 185 6.8 17 453
Cost of sales 5 756 5 411 6.4 11 582
Selling expenses 2 271 2 104 7.9 4 492
Administrative and other
operating expenses 716 670 6.9 1 379
Profit from operating
activities 1 693 1 526 10.9 3 732
Finance income 103 67 54.8 162
Finance costs 2 - - 2
Profit before taxation 1 794 1 593 12.6 3 892
Taxation 515 454 13.5 1 111
Profit after taxation 1 279 1 139 12.3 2 781
Profit attributable to
non-controlling interests - (1) -
Profit attributable to equity
holders of parent 1 279 1 138 12.4 2 781
Weighted average number of
shares in issue 258 630 258 196 0.2 258 375
Earnings per share (cents)
- basic 494.4 440.9 12.1 1 076.4
- headline 494.3 442.9 11.6 1 100.1
- diluted basic 482.4 432.1 11.7 1 052.2
- diluted headline 482.4 434.1 11.1 1 075.4
Dividends per share (cents) 311.4 279.0 11.6 693.1
Dividend payout ratio 63.0 63.0 63.0
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
2018 2017 2018
29 Sep 30 Sep 31 Mar
26 weeks 26 weeks 52 weeks
R’m
Profit attributable to equity
holders of parent 1 279 1 138 2 781
Other comprehensive income:
Items that may be reclassified
subsequently to profit or loss:
Currency translation adjustments 23 (4) (58)
Net gain/(loss) on hedge accounting 108 32 (78)
Items that will not be reclassified
subsequently to profit or loss:
Defined benefit fund net
actuarial (loss)/gain (1) (1) 5
Total comprehensive income 1 409 1 165 2 650
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
2018 2017 2018
29 Sep 30 Sep 31 Mar
R’m
Total equity attributable
to shareholders at beginning
of the period 7 455 6 729 6 729
IFRS 9 opening retained earnings
adjustment, net of tax (8) - -
IFRS 15 opening retained earnings
adjustment, net of tax 3 - -
Adjusted total equity attributable
to shareholders at beginning of
the period (refer note 9) 7 450 6 729 6 729
Total comprehensive income for
the year 1 409 1 165 2 650
Treasury share transactions (170) (187) (98)
Recognition of share-based payments 71 65 87
Dividends to shareholders (1 094) (1 157) (1 893)
Acquisition of non-controlling
interest - - (20)
Non-controlling interest - 1 -
Total equity attributable to
shareholders at end of the period 7 666 6 616 7 455
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
2018 2017 2018
29 Sep 30 Sep 31 Mar
R’m 26 weeks 26 weeks 52 weeks
Cash flows from operating activities
Operating profit before working
capital changes 1 595 1 492 3 861
Working capital changes (10) (1) 7
Net interest received 288 251 525
Taxation paid (600) (421) (891)
Net cash inflows from operating
activities 1 273 1 321 3 502
Cash flows from investing activities
Net(advances)/receipts in respect of
long-term receivables (4) 6 5
Purchase of Kenyan franchise stores (19) - -
Additions to and replacement of
intangible assets (59) (63) (129)
Property, plant and equipment
- replacement (42) (61) (111)
- additions (72) (79) (221)
- proceeds on disposal - - 1
Net cash outflows from investing
activities (196) (197) (455)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net outflow in respect of in long-term
liabilities (2) - (51)
Acquisition of non-controlling interest - - (1)
Net (purchase)/sale of shares by staff
share trusts (133) (130) 31
Net deficit on treasury share
transactions (43) (61) (139)
Dividends to shareholders (1 094) (1 157) (1 893)
Net cash outflows from financing
activities (1 272) (1 348) (2 053)
Change in cash and cash equivalents (195) (224) 994
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of the period 2 720 1 784 1 784
Exchange gains/(losses) 31 - (58)
Cash and cash equivalents at end
of the period 2 556 1 560 2 720
SEGMENTAL REPORTING
For management purposes, the Group is organised into business units based on their products and services, and has four reportable segments, as follows:
- The Apparel segment retails clothing, sportswear, footwear, sporting equipment and accessories;
- The Home segment retails homewares;
- The Financial Services and Cellular segment manages the Group’s trade receivables and sells financial services and cellular products; and
- The Central Services segment provides services to the trading segments, including information technology, internal audit, human resources, group real estate and finance.
Management monitors the operating results of its business units separately for the purpose of making decisions about resource allocation and performance assessment. Segment performance is evaluated based on operating profit or loss. Net finance income and income taxes are managed on a group basis and are not allocated to operating segments.
2018 2017 % 2018
R’m 29 Sep 30 Sep change 31 Mar
Retail sales and other income
- Apparel 7 319 6 891 6.2 15 027
- Home 2 431 2 267 7.2 5 002
- Financial Services
and Cellular 673 545 23.5 1 141
- Central Services 13 8 53.6 15
Total 10 436 9 711 7.5 21 185
Profit from operating activities
- Apparel 1 236 1 111 11.2 2 713
- Home 347 305 13.8 785
- Financial Services
and Cellular 209 202 3.8 425
- Central Services (99) (92) 7.6 (191)
Total 1 693 1 526 10.9 3 732
Segment assets
- Apparel 2 415 2 371 1.8 2 465
- Home 789 821 (3.9) 787
- Financial Services
and Cellular 2 417 2 217 9.0 2 281
- Central Services 4 396 3 440 27.8 4 586
Total 10 017 8 849 13.2 10 119
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
2018 2017 2018
29 Sep 30 Sep 31 Mar
Total number of shares issued (000) 264 941 264 941 264 941
Number of Ordinary shares (000) 256 796 255 796 256 796
Number of B Ordinary shares (000) 8 145 9 145 8 145
Less: shares held by share trusts (000) 6 576 7 137 5 959
Net number of shares in issue (000) 258 365 257 804 258 982
Weighted average number of
shares in issue (000) 258 630 258 196 258 375
Net asset value per share (cents) 2 967 2 566 2 879
Reconciliation of headline
earnings (R’m)
Attributable profit 1 279 1 138 2 781
Loss on disposal and impairment
of property, plant and equipment
and intangible assets - 7 85
Taxation adjustment - (2) (24)
Headline earnings 1 279 1 143 2 842
Notes:
1. The interim results at September 2018 and 2017, for which the directors take full responsibility, have not been audited. The condensed consolidated results at 31 March 2018, which are not itself audited, have been correctly extracted from the audited annual financial statements upon which Ernst & Young Inc. issued an unqualified opinion. The interim results were prepared under the supervision of Mr MM Blair, CA(SA), Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
2. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act of South Africa.
3. The disaggregated revenue is as follows:
R’m 2018 2017 2018
29 Sep 30 Sep^ 31 Mar^
Revenue from contracts with customers 10 165 9 451 20 669
Retail sales 9 738 9 135 19 994
Insurance premium 131 121 257
Cellular and mobile income 296 195 418
Interest and charges on debtors 246 229 467
Other sundry income 25 31 49
Finance income 103 67 162
Revenue 10 539 9 778 21 347
^Comparatives are based on IAS 18 ‘Revenue’.
Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised at a point in time, except where revenue has been earned through mobile contracts where services are transferred over time.
4. In May 2017 litigation was instituted by the National Credit Regulator (NCR) in the National Credit Tribunal (NCT) to declare the group to have acted in contravention of the National Credit Act in relation to Miladys Club fee charges. The NCR requested that the NCT order the group to refund all club fees to customers from 2007 to date and pay a fine of 10% of the group’s annual turnover. The group opposed the referral and following due process, is awaiting a hearing date before the NCT. Notwithstanding that the NCT is appealing the high court’s ruling of a similar matter in favour of Edcon, the group is optimistic that the Miladys matter will ultimately have a positive outcome. The directors are of the opinion that the likelihood of the liability is remote.
5. During the 2018 financial year, the company received an assessment from SARS relating to the disallowance of certain deductions claimed in the 2014 year of assessment. The assessment amounted to additional income tax of R65.1m, as well as interest and penalties charged to 30 September 2018 amounting to R36.8m. The assessed tax may result in of a reallocation of deferred tax to current tax of R59.5m and additional current tax of R5.6m. The overall potential impact on the income statement (including interest and penalties) therefore amounts to R42.4m. The company, supported by senior counsel’s opinion, appealed the decision of the Commissioner to disallow the company’s objection to the assessment. No adjustments have been made to the financial statements as the directors are of the opinion that the likelihood of the liability is remote.
6. The fair value of FECs as calculated by the banks is measured using a forward pricing model. The significant inputs into the Level 2 fair value of FECs are yield curves, market interest rates and market foreign exchange rates. The estimated fair values of recognised financial instruments approximate their carrying amounts.
7. The acquisition of 12 Kenyan franchise stores from Deacons East Africa Plc was completed on 18 May 2018 for a consideration of R19 million. The stores were rebranded and merchandised and re-opened for trade as corporate owned stores. This is accounted for as a business combination. The amounts for assets and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition, measured on a provisional basis are as follows:
R’m Fair value
Plant and equipment 19
Inventory -*
Net identifiable assets acquired 19
*less than R1 million
From the date of acquisition, revenue contributed was R57m and net loss contributed was R12.6m, affected by once off startup costs.
8. The accounting policies and estimates applied are in compliance with IFRS including IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting, as well as the SAICA Financial Reporting Guides and Financial Pronouncements as issued by the Financial Reporting Standards Council and are consistent with those applied in the 2018 annual financial statements. All new and revised Standards and Interpretations that became effective during the period were adopted and did not lead to any material changes in accounting policies, except for those referred in note 9.
9. The group applied both IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ and IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ using the modified retrospective approach, by recognising the cumulative effect of initially applying IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 as an adjustment to the opening balance of equity at 1 April 2018. Therefore the comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under IAS 18 ‘Revenue’ and IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments’.
The key impact of IFRS 9 is the new impairment model for financial assets, impacting MRP Money division. The new impairment model reflects expected credit losses based on forward-looking information as opposed to incurred credit losses under IAS 39. The group has adopted the general impairment approach for retail debtors (R7m increase on opening balance of provision) and the simplified approach for mobile debtors (R4m increase on opening balance of provision). The combined deferred tax impact is an increase in deferred tax (R3m increase in deferred tax asset). Refer to the statement of changes in equity for the impact on opening retained income. IFRS 9 has been applied prospectively for hedge accounting and has no impact on the comparative figures.
IFRS 15 key areas of impact are changes in timing and amount of recognition of MRP Mobile contract revenue (R5m increase in opening balance of contract asset) and the recognition of the right of return liability (R12m increase in opening balance) and related right of return asset (R7m increase in opening balance) now recognised on a gross basis. The credit note provision of R4m was derecognised. The combined deferred tax impact is a decrease in deferred tax (R1m decrease in deferred tax asset). Refer to the statement of changes in equity for the impact on opening retained income.
10. Myles Ruck retired as an independent non-executive director, chairman of the Remuneration and Nominations committee and as a member of the Audit and Compliance committee on 30 August 2018.
11. Stuart Bird, who has been chief executive officer (CEO) of the group since August 2010 and an executive director since September 2006, will be retiring as CEO on 31 December 2018 and as an executive director at the end of March 2019. The board has appointed Mark Blair, currently group chief financial officer, as the incoming CEO effective 1 January 2019. Mark joined the group as an executive director in 2006 and has held the office of CFO since 2007.
12. Mmaboshadi Chauke (Shadi) was appointed as independent non-executive director of the group and member of the Audit and Compliance Committee effective 21 November 2018.
13. Mark Stirton has been appointed as group CFO effective 1 January 2019 to coincide with Mark Blair’s appointment as CEO.
This report and the supporting presentation are available on our website: www.mrpricegroup.com
Durban
22 November 2018
Sponsor:
Rand Merchant Bank (a division of FirstRand Bank Limited)
Date: 22/11/2018 07:05:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE').
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