Wrap Text
THE FOSCHINI GROUP LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1937/009504/06)
Share code: TFG
ISIN: ZAE000148466
('TFG')
TRADING UPDATE FOR Q2 FY2022 AND THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2021 AND
UPDATED TRADING STATEMENT
TRADING UPDATE FOR Q2 FY2022 AND THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2021
SALIENT FEATURES
- Solid performance in Q2 FY2022 with Group retail turnover growth of
18,0% compared to Q2 FY2021, notwithstanding the impact of the civil
unrest in South Africa and the government-enforced lockdowns in
Australia;
- Robust performance from TFG Africa in Q2 FY2022 with retail turnover
growth of 28,0% compared to Q2 FY2021;
- Cash retail turnover growth for TFG Africa in Q2 FY2022 of 37,1%
compared to Q2 FY2021. Cash retail turnover now contributes 69,9% to
total TFG Africa retail turnover and 79,1% to total Group retail
turnover;
- Continued market share gains in Mens and Womens categories according
to the Retail Liaison Committee (increase in market share of 4,8%
for H1 FY2022 compared to H1 FY2021);
- TFG London's performance continued to improve in Q2 FY2022 with
retail turnover growth of 41,8% compared to Q2 FY2021, well ahead of
management expectation;
- TFG Australia's comparable store retail turnover growth remains
strong in 'open' states, exceeding expectation. Overall, however, Q2
trade was severely impacted by lockdowns in the two key States where
in excess of 21 000 trading days were lost; and
- Group online retail turnover grew 19,3% in Q2 FY2022 off a
significantly high base in Q2 FY2021, contributing 11,7% (Q2 FY2021:
11,5%) to total Group retail turnover.
OPERATING CONTEXT
The Group continued its post-COVID-19 recovery during the second quarter of
FY2022 with strong trade across the majority of the Group's outlets. This
performance was achieved despite the impact of the civil unrest in South Africa
during July 2021, and the severe lockdown restrictions experienced in Australia
during the second quarter of FY2022.
As previously announced on the JSE Stock Exchange News Service ('SENS') on 16
July 2021, 2 August 2021 and 7 October 2021, 198 South African stores were
looted and damaged to varying degrees by the civil unrest experienced in the
KZN province and parts of the Gauteng province. The Group reopened 145 of these
stores by the end of September 2021 with a further 22 stores reopening by
December 2021. The remainder of the stores will only reopen from 2022 onwards
due to the extensive structural damage caused. The Group estimates that retail
turnover in excess of R600 million will be lost for the full 2022 financial
year as a result of the civil unrest.
In TFG Australia, further lockdowns and restrictions impacted the business
during Q2 FY2022, with an estimated 43,5% of its trade days lost during this
period as State Governments attempted to curb the spread of the COVID-19 Delta
variant. At the end of the quarter the two significant Australian states, New
South Wales and Victoria, as well as New Zealand, were still in lockdown. Both
of these Australian states have a roadmap to reopen non-essential retail with
restrictions once a 70-80% vaccination target has been reached. For New South
Wales, stores reopened on 11 October 2021, while Victoria is planned to open
from 30 October 2021.
The remaining lockdown restrictions in England were relaxed from 19 July 2021
and demand for TFG London products has continued to exceed expectation, an
indication that consumer confidence and footfall in the UK retail market is
recovering.
Because of substantial impacts of the various government-enforced lockdowns in
the previous financial year, financial comparisons in this trading update for
H1 FY2022 are also provided against the first half of the 2020 financial year
(i.e. April 2019 to September 2019), unless otherwise stated. This provides
more meaningful comparative analysis of the Group's trading performance.
TFG AFRICA PERFORMANCE UPDATE
In TFG Africa, customer demand for the Group's products continued to grow with
retail turnover exceeding expectation, especially when the civil unrest is
taken into account. Retail turnover growth was 28,0% in Q2 FY2022 (compared to
Q2 FY2021), supported by JET (acquired from 25 September 2020). Excluding Jet,
retail turnover grew a pleasing 8,1%* compared to the same quarter in FY2021.
* Pro forma management account numbers used to calculate an indicative retail
turnover growth
TFG Africa's like-for-like retail turnover growth (which by definition excludes
Jet) has been particularly strong with growth of 15,4% for Q2 FY2022 (compared
to Q2 FY2021).
The growth / (decline) in TFG Africa's retail turnover compared to the same
period in both FY2021 and FY2020 in the respective merchandise categories was
as follows:
Merchandise category Q2 FY2022 Q2 FY2022 Contribution to TFG
vs. Q2 Africa retail turnover*
FY2021*
Clothing 37,2% 73,6%
Homeware 19,5% 7,6%
Cosmetics (7,5%) 3,2%
Jewellery 2,6% 5,0%
Cellphones 8,3% 10,6%
Total TFG Africa 28,0% 100,0%
*including JET
Retail turnover growth for the cosmetics merchandise category was impacted
by supplier stock shortages, whereas retail turnover growth for the
cellphones merchandise category is off an artificially high base in Q2
FY2021 due to the impact of COVID-19-related demand for work-from-home
product categories.
Merchandise category H1 FY2022 H1 H1 FY2022 Contribution
vs. H1 FY2022 to TFG Africa retail
FY2021* vs. H1 turnover*
FY2020*
Clothing 72,2% 27,9% 74,6%
Homeware 38,5% 24,7% 7,3%
Cosmetics 23,5% (18,8%) 3,2%
Jewellery 49,0% (12,1%) 4,6%
Cellphones 22,5% 44,0% 10,3%
Total TFG Africa 59,5% 24,3% 100,0%
*including JET
Cash retail turnover for Q2 FY2022 grew by 37,1% compared to the same
quarter in FY2021 and contributed 69,9% to TFG Africa's retail turnover for
the six months ended September 2021.
Credit retail turnover for Q2 FY2022 grew by 10,6% compared to the same
quarter in FY2021 but declined by 12,6% compared to the same quarter in
FY2020. For the six months ended 30 September 2021, credit turnover grew by
35,3% compared to the same period in FY2021, but declined by 11,7% compared
to the same period in FY2020. Average approval rates for new accounts have
normalised at c.25% in H1 FY2022 (H1 FY2021: c.10%), but overall credit
retail turnover continues to be purposely restricted by stringent
acceptance criteria in line with the prevailing economic conditions.
Online retail turnover for Q2 FY2022 grew by 6,7% compared to the same
quarter in FY2021. Online retail turnover contributed 3,0% to total TFG
Africa retail turnover for Q2 FY2022 (Q2 FY2021: 3,6%).
TFG Africa opened 54 new stores during the quarter while 24 stores were
closed. At the end of the quarter, TFG Africa traded from 3 001 stores, up
from 2 929 as at 31 March 2021.
TFG LONDON PERFORMANCE UPDATE
TFG London's performance continues to improve as they recover from COVID-19
lockdown restrictions that were in place for the last 20 months. Since the
lifting of the last remaining restrictions in July 2021, the demand for key
categories has also started to improve, with recovery showing better-than-
expected results.
The growth / (decline) in TFG London's retail turnover compared to the same
period in FY2021 and FY2020 was as follows:
Q2 FY2022 H1 FY2022 H1 FY2022
vs. Q2 vs. H1 vs. H1
FY2021 FY2021 FY2020
Retail turnover
growth ' GBP
denominated 41,8% 65,6% (27,4%)
Online retail turnover from TFG London's own sites had strong growth of
33,9% in Q2 FY2022 compared to the same quarter in FY2021, while retail
turnover from third party online channels also grew by 22,6%. In total,
online retail turnover for TFG London increased by 29,0% compared to the
same quarter in FY2021 with the contribution of online retail turnover for
the quarter now at 43,0% (Q2 FY2021: 47,3%).
TFG London opened 3 new outlets during the quarter while 47 outlets were
closed in line with expectation. At the end of the quarter, TFG London
traded from 718 outlets.
TFG AUSTRALIA PERFORMANCE UPDATE
Despite lockdown restrictions impacting store trade, online retail turnover
for Q2 FY2022 continued to grow strongly by 57,8% compared to the same
quarter in FY2021, contributing 17,8% to total TFG Australia retail
turnover for Q2 FY2022 (Q2 FY2021: 9,4%).
The growth / (decline) in TFG Australia's retail turnover compared to the
same period in FY2021 and FY2020 was as follows:
H1 H1
Q2 FY2022 FY2022 FY2022
vs. Q2 vs. H1 vs. H1
FY2021 FY2021 FY2020
Retail turnover
growth ' AUD
denominated (16,6%) 39,2% 1,8%
TFG Australia opened 11 new outlets during the quarter while 1 outlet was
closed. At the end of the quarter, TFG Australia had 575 outlets.
GROUP PERFORMANCE UPDATE
Overall the Group continued to build on the strong performance of the first
quarter, notwithstanding the disruption mentioned above, and delivered
growth in Q2 FY2022 of 18,0% compared to the same quarter in FY2021
(excluding Jet +5,0%)*. For the six months ended 30 September 2021, the
Group delivered growth of 51,8% compared to the same period in FY2021
(excluding Jet +34,3%)* and 12,2% compared to the same period in FY2020
(excluding Jet -0,9%)*.
* Pro forma management account numbers used to calculate an indicative
retail turnover growth
Online retail turnover delivered excellent growth in Q2 FY2022 of 19,3%
compared to the same quarter in FY2021. The contribution of online retail
turnover to total retail turnover for the quarter was 11,7% (Q2 FY2021:
11,5%).
UPDATED TRADING STATEMENT
Further to the TFG trading statement which was published on SENS on 7
October 2021, we are providing an update on the guidance on the Group's
expected results for the six months ended 30 September 2021 ('current
period').
Shareholders are advised that earnings per share ('EPS'), diluted EPS,
headline earnings per share ('HEPS') and diluted HEPS for the current
period compared to the six months ended 30 September 2020 ('prior period)
are expected to be within the ranges reflected below:
Reported Expected
Six months
ended 30
September
2020 Six months ended 30 September 2021
Cents Cents %
Basic earnings per 161,5 302,0 to 334,3 87,0% to 107,0%
ordinary share
Diluted earnings per 161,0 301,1 to 333,3 87,0% to 107,0%
ordinary share
Basic headline (91,0) 384,0 to 402,2 522,0% to 542,0%
earnings per ordinary
share
Diluted headline (90,8) 383,2 to 401,3 522,0% to 542,0%
earnings per ordinary
share
Restated^ Expected
Six months
ended 30
September
2020 Six months ended 30 September 2021
Cents Cents %
Basic earnings per 147,7 289,5 to 333,8 96,0% to 126,0%
ordinary share
Diluted earnings per 147,3 288,7 to 332,9 96,0% to 126,0%
ordinary share
Basic headline (83,3) 384,8 to 401,5 562,0% to 582,0%
earnings per ordinary
share
Diluted headline (83,1) 383,9 to 400,5 562,0% to 582,0%
earnings per ordinary
share
^ As required by IAS 33, the basic and diluted weighted average number of
shares for the prior corresponding period have been adjusted retrospectively to
account for the bonus element arising from the rights issue
The expected earnings ranges have been impacted, inter alia, by the
following:
' The COVID-19 pandemic and the related government-enforced lockdowns
and related store closures in all 3 of our main trading jurisdictions
during the prior period, as previously reported;
' The dilution arising from the successfully concluded rights offer, as
announced on SENS on 11 August 2020;
' The acquisition of certain commercially viable stores and selected
assets of JET in South Africa (effective 25 September 2020) and in
Botswana, the Kingdom of Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (effective on
various dates in December 2020 and January 2021). The inclusion of a
bargain purchase gain on acquisition of R694,3 million in the prior
period specifically affected basic EPS and diluted EPS; and
' The civil unrest experienced in the current period in South Africa in
July 2021.
The information contained in this announcement, including estimated
financial information, is the responsibility of the board of directors of
TFG and has not been audited, reviewed or reported on by the Group's
external auditors.
The Group's financial results for the six months ended 30 September 2021
will be released on SENS on or about 11 November 2021.
PRO FORMA INFORMATION
Pro forma management account information for Jet was used in this
announcement for illustrative purposes only to provide an indicative retail
turnover growth for the Group and for TFG Africa excluding the acquired Jet
stores.
Jet retail turnover for the relevant period below relating to the acquired
Jet stores was removed as if the acquisition did not take place.
This pro forma information, because of its nature, may not be a fair
reflection of the Group's results of operations, financial position,
changes in equity or cash flows. There are no events subsequent to the
reporting date which require adjustment to the pro forma information.
The pro forma management account retail turnover numbers used were:
TFG Africa Q2 FY2022 (July Q2 FY2021 (July Growth
to Sept 2021) to Sept 2020)
Rm Rm %
TFG Africa retail 6 392,7 4 993,8 28,0
turnover including Jet
Less: Jet retail 1 016,2 22,1
turnover#
TFG Africa retail 5 376,5 4 971,7 8,1
turnover excluding Jet
Group Q2 FY2022 (July Q2 FY2021 (July Growth
to Sept 2021) to Sept 2020)
Rm Rm %
Group retail turnover 9 008,0 7 631,0 18,0
including Jet
Less: Jet retail 1 016,2 22,1
turnover#
Group retail turnover 7 991,8 7 608,9 5,0
excluding Jet
Group H1 FY2022 (Apr to H1 FY2021 (Apr to Growth
Sept 2021) Sept 2020)
Rm Rm %
Group retail turnover 19 022,1 12 530,0 51,8
including Jet
Less: Jet retail 2 218,6 22,1
turnover#
Group retail turnover 16 803,5 12 507,9 34,3
excluding Jet
Group H1 FY2022 (Apr to H1 FY2020 (Apr to Growth
Sept 2021) Sept 2019)
Rm Rm %
Group retail turnover 19 022,1 16 955,2 12,2
including Jet
Less: Jet retail 2 218,6
turnover#
Group retail turnover 16 803,5 16 955,2 (0,9)
excluding Jet
# The adjustment is based on management accounts. The Group is satisfied
with the quality and completeness of these unaudited management accounts.
The directors are responsible for compiling the pro forma financial
information in accordance with the JSE Limited Listings Requirements and in
compliance with the SAICA Guide on Pro Forma Financial Information. The
underlying information used in the preparation of the pro forma financial
information has been prepared using the accounting policies in place for
the year ended 31 March 2021.
Cape Town
29 October 2021
Sponsor:
RAND MERCHANT BANK (A division of FirstRand Bank Limited)
Date: 29-10-2021 02:30:00
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