Interim Results

ASOS PLC 29 September 2003 ASOS plc ('ASOS' or 'the Group' or 'the Company') ASOS, one of the UK's leading online fashion retailers, today announces its Interim Report for the six months ended 30th June 2003. Results Highlights •Now over 205,000 registered users, up from 137,000 a year ago •ASOS.com revenue up 169% year-on-year for the six months to June 2003 •Group revenue up 126% year-on-year for the six months to June 2003 •Gross profit up 86% year-on-year to £1.3m for the six months to June 2003 •Group was cash-flow positive for the 6 months to June 2003 •Loss after taxation remained static at £0.3m for the 6 months to June 2003 Commenting upon the Group's Outlook, Chief Executive Nick Robertson said: 'I remain confident about the prospects for the full year in terms of both growth and profit potential. Our customer base has increased to over 205,000 registered users and the range and depth of product is now stronger than ever. After substantial capital investment, our technology and logistical platforms can now handle significant increases in traffic and sales as we approach the Christmas trading season.' ASOS plc - contacts www.ASOS.com Nick Robertson, Chief Executive Tel: 020 7240 7070 John Morgan, Finance Director Tel: 020 7240 7070 Note to Editors: ASOS plc (formerly asSeenonScreen Holdings plc) is a modern retail and marketing services group. The Group was established in June 2000 and was admitted to AIM in October 2001. Its principal business is ASOS.com, a leading online fashion retailer. According to Hitwise (an independent traffic measurement system) ASOS.com has more site visitors than its major rivals, Top Shop, River Island and Freemans. The award winning site is aimed at the 18-30 year old market. Currently the average basket value is £45 per on-line order and between 500 - 1000 orders are shipped daily, 90% to UK destinations. It also owns Entertainment Marketing, a marketing business providing product placement services to a number of blue chip advertisers. This business is non-core. Chief Executive's Report Summary I am pleased to report continued strong growth for the Group. Revenues rose 126% to £2.7m, whilst sales for ASOS.com increased 169% to £2.4m. Group losses remained unchanged at £0.3m, due to a significant increase in advertising spend for the six months to June 2003. Importantly, the Group delivered positive operating cash flow for the six months to June 2003. This was achieved by significantly reducing stock levels. In addition, substantial operational efficiencies were achieved at the logistics centre enabling a reduction in the head count, whilst at the same time improving our customer care and delivery times. Main Developments Product range The strategy of broadening the product range beyond fashion is now well underway. In the first half some of our most successful products have been non-fashion related items, such as hair and beauty. This has the effect of broadening our appeal, increasing average basket sizes and reducing the level of returns. We have also started to introduce more basic styles to complement our high-fashion range. These again increase basket values and help keep levels of returns low. Our menswear offer has improved considerably and now represents 16% of sales. We see this as an area offering high growth potential and will begin marketing directly to men in 2004. Advertising The main thrust of our advertising is our affiliate marketing network and weekly e-mail to our 205,000 registered users. This is highly cost effective and generates significant sales. In addition, we continue our strategy of direct response advertising in magazines such as 'Heat' and 'Now'. As a result we have maintained our position in the top 5 most visited on-line clothing stores, ahead of key competitors such as Top Shop (source: Hitwise, September 2003) Entertainment Marketing Discussions are still on going with various marketing services groups regarding the potential sale of this non-core business. Placing In July 2003 the Group raised £215,583, net of costs, as additional working capital in order to support an increase in stock levels for the all-important Christmas trading period. Outlook I remain confident about the prospects for the full year in terms of both growth and profit potential. The range and depth of product is now stronger than ever. After substantial capital investment, our technology and logistical platforms can now handle significant increases in traffic and sales as we approach the busy Christmas trading season. Nick Robertson Chief Executive 30th September 2003 Unaudited Consolidated Profit and Loss Account for The six months ended 30th June 2003 Audited Results Unaudited 6 Unaudited 6 for the year Months Months ended to 30th June to 30th June 31st December 2003 2002 2002 £'000 £'000 £'000 Turnover 2662 1175 4104 Cost of Sales (1354) (475) (1941) Gross Profit 1308 700 2163 Administrative Expenses (1526) (826) (2268) Amortisation of Goodwill (114) (185) (1600) Operating Loss (332) (311) (1705) Net Interest (payable) / (5) - 4 receivable Loss before taxation (337) (311) (1701) Taxation Loss after taxation (337) (311) (1701) Basic and fully diluted (0.55p) (0.51p) (2.76p) loss per share All recognised gains and losses are included in the profit and loss account for the current and preceeding periods and represents the only movement in shareholders funds. Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet at 30th June 2003 Unaudited 6 Unaudited 6 Audited Results Months Months at 31st at 30th June at 30th June December 2003 2002 2002 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed Assets Intangible Assets 1648 3178 1762 Tangible Assets 113 73 71 1761 3251 1833 Current Assets Stock 383 178 622 Debtors 351 304 713 Cash at bank and in hand 2 - - 735 482 1335 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (997) (507) (1331) Net current assets (262) (25) 4 Total assets less current 1500 3226 1837 liabilities Capital and Reserves Called up share capital 2157 2157 2157 Share premium account 2982 2982 2982 Profit and loss account (3639) (1913) (3302) Shareholders funds 1500 3226 1837 Unaudited Consolidated Summarised Cash Flow Statement For The Six Months Ended 30th June 2003 Unaudited 6 Unaudited 6 Audited Results Months Months for the year to 30th to 30th ended 31st June 2003 June 2002 December 2002 £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash (outflow) / inflow from operating activities ( note 4) 256 (120) (215) Net cash (outflow) / (5) - 4 inflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance Net cash outflow from (75) (1) (28) investing activities Net cash outflow from (1) - (49) Financing Increase / (Decrease) in 175 (121) (288) cash Notes to the Accounts 1. The results for the six months ended 30th June 2003 have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the audited accounts of the Company for the year ended 31st December 2002. 2. The interim accounts for the six months ended 30th June 2003 are unaudited and do not constitute statutory accounts in accordance with section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information for the year ended 31st December 2002 is extracted from the audited financial statements for that year on which the auditors gave an unqualified report and which do not contain a statement under Sections 237 (2) or 237 (3) of the Companies Act 1985. A copy of those financial statements has been filed with the Registrar of Companies. 3. Basic and fully diluted loss per ordinary share has been calculated on the group's loss for the period attributable to shareholders and on the weighted number of ordinary shares in issue : 61,629,759 ( 30th June 2002 : 61,629,759, 31st December 2002 : 61,629,759 ). Whilst unexercised share options would increase the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue, however, due to the losses incurred by the Company, they are not considered dilutive. 4. Notes to the summarised cash flow statement Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities Basic and fully Unaudited 6 Unaudited 6 Audited Results diluted loss per Months To 30th Months to 30th for the year share June 2003 June 2002 ended 31st December 2002 £'000 £'000 £'000 Operating loss (332) (311) (1705) Amortisation 114 185 1600 charge Depreciation 33 25 57 charge (Increase) / 239 (12) (456) Decrease in stock (Increase) / 362 (58) (468) Decrease in debtors Increase / (160) 51 757 (Decrease) in creditors 256 (120) (215) Analysis of net debt Cash at bank and in 12 2 - hand Bank overdraft (10) (8) (173) (173) Due in less than - (50) (1) one year Due in more than 2 (56) (174) one year 5. The Directors are not declaring a dividend for the six months ended 30th June 2003. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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