THE SPAR GROUP LIMITED - Trading update and trading statement

Trading update and trading statement

THE SPAR GROUP LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Registration number 1967/001572/06
JSE Code: SPP
ISIN: ZAE000058517
(“SPAR” or the “Group”)

TRADING UPDATE AND TRADING STATEMENT

Trading Update

SPAR achieved revenue growth of 10.1% for the six months ended 31 March 2020, with strong
trading reported in all geographies, and assisted by the turnover from its business in Poland for the
first time.

During the period, the Group completed the acquisition of the Polish business, Piotr i Pawel and
secured the rights to the SPAR license to trade in Poland. As expected, this business has reported
losses, as it is being restructured and operations re-organised. This process has taken longer than
expected and the finalisation of the legal administration of Piotr i Pawel has been further impacted
by the COVID-19 pandemic, as a result of the suspension of court activity. These delays have
obstructed the resumption of normal trading operations, with adverse effects on both retail and
wholesale performance reported. The adoption of IFRS 16 and a foreign exchange loss incurred
on the Euro-denominated funding also adversely impacted the Polish business’ result.

Notwithstanding the setbacks in Poland, the Group remains positive about the medium to long-term
prospects in this region. Excluding the impact of the Polish business, the Group has delivered
strong results and looks forward to providing an update on the overall Group results in due course.

Trading Statement

In terms of paragraph 3.4(b) of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements, companies are required to
publish a trading statement as soon as they are satisfied that, with a reasonable degree of certainty,
the financial results for the current reporting period will differ by at least 20% from the financial
results of the previous corresponding period.

SPAR is currently in the process of finalising its financial results for the six months ended 31 March
2020 (“Results”) and due to the impact of the Polish business on the Group, as detailed above,
shareholders are hereby advised that the Group expects to report:

    -   basic earnings per share between 20% and 30% lower (between 416.0 cents and 364.0
        cents per share) compared to the 520.0 cents per share for the previous corresponding
        period; and
    -   headline earnings per share between 17% and 27% lower (between 434.6 cents and 382.2
        cents per share) compared to the 523.6 cents per share for the previous corresponding
        period.

Shareholders are advised that this announcement does not constitute an earnings forecast, that
the financial information provided herein is the responsibility of the directors, and that such
information has neither been reviewed nor reported on by the Group’s auditors.

It is anticipated that the Group’s Results will be published on or about 21 May 2020.

Pinetown
15 May 2020

Sponsor
One Capital

Date: 15-05-2020 08:18:00
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