Final Results

John Lewis Of Hungerford PLC 04 December 2003 2003 Highlights • Sales increase 20% to a record £4,117,081 (2002 - £3,441,965). • Operating profitability restored to a record £406,706 (2002 - loss £47,959) after charging employee profit sharing of £30,600 (2002 - nil). • Pre tax profits £382,870 (2002 - loss £82,220). • Net cash inflows from operating activities a record £635,096 (2002 - £256,215). • Dividend increased 10%. • Cash balances at 31 August 2003 £937,571 (2002 - £556,329). • Lease secured for new "flagship" showroom in London John Lewis of Hungerford plc ("the Company") Preliminary Results John Lewis of Hungerford plc ("The Company") designs, manufactures, and retails kitchens, home office and free standing furniture direct to the public from its own showrooms and Company managed concessions throughout the United Kingdom. The Company also operates a United Kingdom mail order business for replacement kitchen cabinet doors and supplies selected non-branded products to the Netherlands through a distributorship. A new division was recently launched to supply wall panelling and interior doors primarily to the interior designer market. Manufacturing and administration is carried out from a purpose built factory at Wantage, Oxfordshire constructed in 1998. The Company has recently made major investments in advanced automated manufacturing equipment. Founded in 1972, the Company is committed to the pursuit of excellence in every aspect of its business and endeavours to maintain long-term relationships with its staff, customers and suppliers. A policy of "keep it simple" links with an innovative and fresh approach to its business. Significant United Kingdom brand recognition has been achieved through long-term sustained advertising in quality magazines. The Company's core product line is the "Artisan(R)" range of kitchens and furniture. In recent years the Company has expanded its line of branded products to include the more contemporary "Shaker" style kitchens and the Just Doors(R) direct mail business for replacement kitchen cabinet doors. Recently the "Liberty Panelling and Doors"TM brand was launched for panelling and interior doors. The Company's growth strategy remains focused on improving the visibility and availability of its products in the United Kingdom by increasing the number of Company owned retail showrooms and selected concession sites, and by developing its mail order business. For more information about the Company and its products visit our web sites: www.john-lewis.co.uk www.the-home-office.co.uk www.justdoors.co.uk Chairman's Statement Overview I am delighted to report on the most successful year in the Company's 30-year history. Record sales and profits were achieved and the Company generated cash of more than £635,000 from its operating activities. These excellent results are the culmination of several years of effort in building John Lewis of Hungerford into a Company with a portfolio of brands offering quality products at affordable prices that customers really want to live with in their homes. Results Sales for the year ended 31 August 2003 increased by 20% to £4,117,081 compared to £3,441,965 for the previous year. Profits before tax for the same period were £382,870 compared to a loss of £82,220 for the previous year and are stated after charging exceptional expenses of £9,046 (2002 - £27,246) relating to trademark costs and a provision for employee profit sharing of £30,600 (2002 - nil). Gross margins increased to 60.5% against 56.6% in the prior year. Unit sales of kitchens increased by approximately 7% whereas furniture unit sales declined 12% both compared to the prior year. Sales by mail order division 'Just Doors' were broadly flat. The profit for the financial year after taxation amounted to £294,359 (2002 - loss £77,364). Net cash inflows before financing were £399,583 (2002 - £86,526). Basic earnings per share were 0.20p (2002 - 0.05p loss). Subject to shareholder approval, the dividend per share will be increased by 10% to 0.041p per share payable to shareholders on the register at 12 December 2003 and will be paid on 27 January 2004. Trading Review As indicated above the Company has had a very successful year. Earlier concerns of a second half slowdown in orders proved to be temporary and the Company finished the year with record levels of sales on the back of highly successful promotional activity. The turnaround in results stems from a number of positive factors. Generally promotions have cost less and been more successful. Margin improvements stem from a combination of price increases, sales mix and improvements in production efficiencies. Unit sales of kitchens grew an impressive 7% reflecting strong market demand particularly in the replacement market. In contrast, unit sales of furniture fell 12%. The decline in unit sales of furniture results in part from the refurbishment of the Company's Hungerford showroom in early 2003. By far the largest number of furniture pieces are sold from this store which is to date the only Company outlet large enough to display the entire furniture range. During the refurbishment period most furniture pieces were temporarily removed. In addition unit sales of furniture have also been negatively effected by the lack of display space in the London area following closure of the Company's concession in the Fulham Road as previously announced. Sales to the Netherlands, the Company's only export market, were nominal. As indicated in our Interim Statement sales of Just Doors have been disappointing mainly as a result of intense competition from the many new entrants in the replacement kitchen door market. Unlike Just Doors, many of these competitors employ direct-sell techniques. Whilst the Company will continue to market Just Doors products direct to consumers, a new direct mail division, Liberty Panelling and Doors, was recently launched focusing on the interior designer market. This line of products includes decorative wall panelling and interior doors. The new range was launched in September 2003 at 'Decorex' the leading annual showcase for interior design products. In December 2002 the Company opened a new showroom in the Clifton area of Bristol replacing a concession outlet that closed during the last financial year. Results from this new store have been encouraging. The Company now trades from 5 showrooms and 4 concession sites. As previously announced the Company has been searching for sometime to find a suitable site for a flagship store in London to replace the Fulham Road concession which closed in 2002 following closure of the host store. I am delighted to announce that a lease has now been secured by the Company for a new showroom in Wandsworth Bridge Road, London. This 250 sq m unit, more than twice the size of the Company's largest store presently, will become the Company's new flagship. This store will be large enough to display the Company's entire range of products. It is expected that the anticipated opening date for this store in Spring 2004 will be used to launch some significant extensions to the Company's product lines. This new showroom marks a milestone in the development of the Company. If successful, it will become the benchmark for future Johnn Lewis of Hungerford stores. Financial Review The Company continues to maintain a highly cash generative business model with Net Cash Inflows from Operating Activities amounting to £635,096 (2002 - £256,215). Cash balances at 31 August 2003 totalled £937,571. The Company has standby overdraft facilities of £250,000 which have recently been renewed. Capital expenditures in the current year totalled £177,639. In the main this reflects the fitting out costs of the new showroom in Bristol and refitting of the Company's showroom in Hungerford. On the basis of the results for the year an increased dividend of 0.041p per share is being proposed. The Company took an exceptional charge this year of £9,046 in relation to trademark costs. For sometime the Company has been endeavouring to register an olfactory mark in respect of certain of its products as provided by new UK trademark legislation. However a recent decision by the European Court of Justice has significantly reduced the likelihood of a successful registration being obtained in the near future. Although the Company has not abandoned its attempt at registration, your Board considers it appropriate to provide for the costs incurred to date. Outlook Order input during the first quarter of the current financial year to 31 August 2004 has been slow, although sales enquiries remain solid. Key events in the current financial year will be the anticipated opening of the new London showroom in Spring 2004 and development of 'Liberty Panelling and Doors' as a new niche brand. Your Board looks forward to the coming year with enthusiasm. John L. Lewis Chairman 4 December 2003 Profit and Loss Account for the year ended 31 August 2003 2003 2002 £ £ Turnover 4,117,081 3,441,965 Cost of sales (1,625,831) (1,494,198) ----------- ----------- Gross profit 2,491,250 1,947,767 Distribution costs (663,217) (637,700) Administrative expenses (1,421,327) (1,358,026) ----------- ----------- Operating profit/(loss) 406,706 (47,959) Exceptional expenses (9,046) (27,246) Interest receivable and similar income 7,903 1,074 Interest payable and similar charges (22,693) (8,089) ----------- ---------- Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation 382,870 (82,220) Tax on profit/(loss) on ordinary (88,511) 4,856 activities ----------- ----------- Profit/(loss) for the financial year 294,359 (77,364) Dividends (60,500) (55,000) ----------- ----------- Retained profit/(loss) for the financial 233,859 (132,364) year ======= ======= Earnings/(loss) per share Basic 0.20p (0.05)p Fully diluted 0.20p (0.05)p The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations. There are no recognised gains and losses other than those passing through the profit and loss account. Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2003 2003 2002 £ £ £ £ Fixed assets Intangible 19,791 29,283 assets Tangible 1,886,216 1,890,337 assets ---------- ---------- 1,906,007 1,919,620 Current assets Stocks 180,395 172,232 Debtors 91,556 122,252 Cash at bank 937,571 556,329 and in hand ---------- ---------- 1,209,522 850,813 Creditors: (1,077,507) (967,122) amounts falling due within one year ---------- ---------- Net current 132,015 (116,309) assets/ liabilities ---------- ---------- Total assets 2,038,022 1,803,311 less current liabilities Creditors: (362,759) (382,790) amounts falling due after more than one year Provisions for (45,669) (24,786) liabilities and charges ----------- ----------- Total net 1,629,594 1,395,735 assets ======= ======= Capital and reserves Called up 148,745 148,745 share capital Share premium 824,771 824,771 account Other reserves 1,421 1,421 Profit and 654,657 420,798 loss account ---------- ---------- Shareholders' 1,629,594 1,395,735 funds - all equity interests ======= ======= The financial statements were approved by the Board on 4 December 2003. John L. Lewis Richard D. Worthington F.C.A. Director Director Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31 August 2003 2003 2002 £ £ £ £ Net cash inflow 635,096 256,215 from operating activities Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest 7,903 1,074 received Interest paid (22,693) (8,089) ---------- ---------- Net cash outflow (14,790) (7,015) from returns on investments and servicing of finance Corporation tax - (6,645) Capital expenditure Payments to (3,266) (639) acquire intangible fixed assets Payments to (177,639) (115,754) acquire tangible fixed assets Receipts from 15,182 15,364 sales of tangible fixed assets --------- ---------- Net cash outflow (165,723) (101,029) from capital expenditure Equity dividends (55,000) (55,000) paid ---------- ---------- Net cash inflow 399,583 86,526 before financing Financing Mortgage Loan - 400,000 Repayment of (18,341) - Loan ---------- ---------- Net cash (18,341) 400,000 (outflow)/inflow from financing ---------- --------- Increase in cash 381,242 486,526 ======= ======= 1. Preliminary Results The preliminary results have been extracted from the Company's audited accounts which have been approved and signed by the directors and auditors, but have not yet been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The audited accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention using the accounting policies set out in the Company's 2003 statutory financial statements. 2. Reconciliation of Movement in Shareholders' funds 2003 2002 £ £ Profit/(loss) for the financial 294,359 (77,364) year Dividends (60,500) (55,000) ---------- ----------- Net addition to/(reduction from) 233,859 (132,364) shareholders' funds Opening shareholders' funds 1,395,735 1,528,099 ----------- ------------ Closing shareholders' funds 1,629,594 1,395,735 ======= ======== 3. Earnings per Share Earnings per ordinary share is calculated as follows: 2003 2002 Basic Profit/(loss) attributable to £294,359 £(77,364) ordinary shareholders Weighted average number of 148,745,519 148,745,519 ordinary shares in issue Earnings/(loss) per ordinary 0.20p (0.05)p share ======== ======== Fully diluted Profit/(loss) attributable to £294,359 £(77,364) ordinary shareholders Weighted average number of 148,745,519 148,745,519 ordinary shares in issue Earnings/(loss) per ordinary 0.20p (0.05)p share ======== ======== Weighted average number of 148,745,519 148,745,519 ordinary shares in issue - basic calculation Number of shares deemed to have - - been issued for no consideration in respect of share options ------------ ------------- - fully diluted calculation 148,745,519 148,745,519 ======== ======== 4. 2003 Report and Accounts Copies of the 2003 report and accounts will be sent to shareholders in due course. Further copies will be available from the Company's nominated adviser, Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited, No 1 Riding House Street, London, W1A 3AS, free of charge, for one month from the date of this announcement. 5. Copy of Announcement A copy of this announcement will be available from the nominated adviser, Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited, No 1 Riding House Street, London, W1A 3AS, for one month from the date of this announcement. -ends- This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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