Preliminary Results 1999/2000

Sainsbury(J) PLC 31 May 2000 J Sainsbury plc - Preliminary Results 1999/2000 Highlights * Underlying PBT in line with expectations * Total dividend per share unchanged at 14.32p * New management team accelerating pace of change * Clear leadership and focus on Sainbury's UK Supermarkets * Strong performance in Shaw's - including Star Markets * Strong like-for-like sales growth in Homebase * Acceleration of e-commerce strategy across the group. J Sainsbury plc today announced underlying profit before tax, in line with the range indicated in the third quarter trading statement, at £580m, down 23.2% on the previous year. Group sales were £17.4 billion, up 6.3% on the previous year. Underlying basic earnings per share was 20.5p, down 24.1%. Total dividend per share remains at 14.32p. Shaw's and Homebase both performed well. On a comparable basis Homebase's sales were up 13.2%, including like-for-like sales growth of 12.1%, and operating profit was up 9.1%. Shaw's sales, which include Star Markets acquired during the year, were up 25.7% with operating profit up 46%. Sainsbury's Supermarkets reported sales up 1.8% and operating profit, before e-commerce costs, down 27.2% on the previous year . Sainsbury's Bank, in its 3rd year of operation, reported an operating profit of £2.9m and over one million customer accounts. Sir Peter Davis, group chief executive said, 'These results demonstrate that, while we have two very strong businesses in Homebase and Shaw's and have made good progress with Sainsbury's Bank, we need to focus our efforts on our core supermarket business. 'Since my appointment in March 2000 I have concentrated on arresting the decline in Sainsbury's Supermarkets. We are working hard to re-establish ourselves as the UK's favourite food retailer by making the Sainsbury's experience special again for customers and colleagues. We are now prioritising our tasks for the coming year and will invest for longer term growth. 'The Sainsbury's brand is a very strong asset; it stands for good quality and value for money. It also stands for high and consistent store standards as well as specialist advice. We excel in key areas within our business; we sell more organic food than any of our competitors, lead the market with our 'ready-meal' offering and our Be Good To Yourself range is now one of the best selling brands in our stores. 'We have reviewed and restructured the group and supermarket boards to clarify the role of both and help accelerate the pace of change. A new group executive committee has responsibility to develop long term strategy for the group and replaces a number of other committees to help us make decisions, move quickly and share 'best practice' across our operating companies. 'We are concentrating on improving store standards to bring all our stores up to the standards of the best. Our new London Colney store is a good example of how larger stores will operate in the future and our Central and Local formats designed with specific customer requirements in mind have also been successful. Last year we opened 20 stores (including four Locals), extended 22 and refurbished 16. 'We are implementing a thorough and radical re-engineering of our processes and systems to achieve optimum performance. We were the first UK retailer to invest in the GlobalNetXchange which, through Oracle, already has the technology in place to help us reduce costs and will deliver streamlined systems and improved product availability. 'We will be accelerating our internet shopping service Sainsbury's To You; a new dedicated picking centre in west London opens this summer to service customers within the M25. Smaller centres and stores will now also be used to speed up this service in major connurbations outside London. 'Customers tell us that they look to us for advice and ideas. Our 'Taste for Life' website being launched in June provides exactly that and we believe will be the best in the UK for food and drink. This will provide a superb platform for the future as we work with Carlton to establish a leading presence in the new internet and interactive TV channels of communication and commerce with our customers. 'Homebase is now a substantial number two in the UK DIY market with many opportunities for growth. Its large store format trial has been successful at Greenwich and Dundee and there is now a major roll-out programme. The e-commerce strategy for Homebase is well advanced and will be launched later this year providing another significant growth opportunity. 'Shaw's has performed well during the past year and the integration of Star Markets has gone smoothly consolidating Shaw's as a strong regional player. Shaw's has dramatically improved its store formats and customer offer. It has focused on a food and drug concept and with a strong emphasis on perishables has helped it compete successfully in the US market. Growth prospects are encouraging with further benefits expected from the Star Markets acquisition. 'Recovery will take time, however, our venture with the GlobalNetXchange and other steps we are taking to re-engineer our processes will deliver cost savings in the longer term. We are managing our property portfolio aggressively both in releasing value through our sale and leaseback scheme and in reviewing development potential in our existing estate, including our head office complex.' 'As I said when I rejoined the company, I am determined to make Sainsburys somewhere special to shop again and somewhere special to work. I am now even more determined, but also confident that we can.' Outlook The Board is committed to turning around the profit decline in the supermarkets business. This will require investment in the customer offer, existing estate, accelerating the home delivery service and, over a longer period, in information systems and the supply chain. These investments will take time to benefit profits. There are significant opportunities to restore profit growth in subsequent years and to deliver increasing returns to shareholders. In view of this confidence, and the Group's strong asset base, the Board felt it was not appropriate to cut the dividend but to maintain it at last year's level (on a comparable 52 week basis). Financial Results 2000 1999* Change % Turnover inc VAT (£m) 17,414 16,378 6.3 Underlying pre tax profit ** (£m) 580 755 -23.2 Underlying earnings per share ** 20.5p 27.0p -24.1 Dividend per share *** 14.32p 14.32p - * 52 weeks to 3 April 1999 (unaudited). ** Before amortisation of goodwill, exceptional costs and non-operating items. *** On a 56 week basis, dividend per share was 15.32 pence in 1999. Group sales grew 6.3% to £17,414 million in the 52 weeks ended 1 April 2000 with the acquisition of Star Markets in the US and a strong sales performance from Homebase being the main contributors to this growth. Underlying Group pre tax profit (before amortisation of goodwill, exceptional costs and non-operating items) was 23.2% lower at £580 million, within the range indicated in our January trading statement. Underlying basic earnings per share decreased in line with this by 24.1% to 20.5 pence per share. These reductions were entirely due to the profits decline in Sainsbury's Supermarkets. Net exceptional items for the year were £60 million, an increase of £5 million over the first half. The second half included additional severance and restructuring costs of £11 million and store closure costs amounting to £46 million. This was offset by net property profits of £52 million, including a property profit of £82 million generated from an innovative sale and leaseback of 16 UK supermarkets. The Directors propose the payment of a final dividend of 10.30 pence per share payable on 28 July 2000 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 16 June 2000. This results in a total dividend per share for the year of 14.32 pence - the same level as last year on a comparative 52 week basis. UK Supermarkets Sales in Sainsbury's Supermarkets increased by 1.8%. Adjusting for Easter, like-for-like sales growth in the second half of 1.4% showed an improvement over the first half decline of 0.9% with sales in the third quarter benefiting from strong Christmas and Millennium sales. Sales growth was impacted by price competition and, during the second half, by food price deflation. During the year, price inflation was around 1% and in the fourth quarter was 0.6% primarily due to petrol price inflation, with underlying food inflation being negative. The overall cost base increased largely due to inflation in labour and rents. This, combined with slightly lower sales volumes and low price inflation, resulted in a decrease in underlying operating profit to £542 million, before e-commerce costs of £19.7 million, a reduction of 27.2% over the previous year. Homebase A strong Homebase sales performance reflects the success of our value repositioning which was launched at the beginning of the year. Reported sales growth for the year was 10.0% with operating profit down 13.4% to £64.6 million before charging e-commerce costs of £7.6 million. Given the importance of Easter trade to Homebase it is necessary to look at comparable trading periods. The most recent year that includes a full Easter trading period in both the current and comparative years is the 52 weeks to 4 March 2000 (i.e. four weeks earlier than the statutory reporting period end). Sales for this period show an increase of 13.2% on the previous year, including an increase in like-for like sales of 12.1%. On the same basis, Homebase operating profit increased by 9.1%. The improvement from the reported figures is partly due to the timing of Easter and partly due to a particularly strong trading performance in the four weeks to 3 April 1999. Like-for-like sales growth was strong throughout the year through pricing and promotional activity coupled with a strong advertising campaign. Shaw's Shaw's performed well with like-for-like sales growth of 3.1%. Including the acquisition of Star Markets, reported sales and operating profits were $3,857 million and $129 million representing improvements of 25.7% and 46.0% respectively. The integration of Star Markets has been successful, contributing $7.6 million to operating profit before exceptional costs and amortisation of goodwill. Synergies in the year were $14 million, ahead of our initial expectations, and were realised from buying, distribution and back office support functions. Sainsbury's Bank Sainsbury's Bank reported its first operating profit of £2.9 million for the year, an improvement of £8.0 million on 1998/99. Turnover declined by 7.2%, affected by the fall in interest rates during the year; however, there was a compensating reduction in costs. Cash flow Operating cash flow generated by the business remained strong at £838 million. After dividends, net interest and tax, cash flow was £246 million. Payments for fixed assets during the year amounted to £761 million being offset by proceeds from the sale of fixed assets of £385 million including the sale and leaseback of sixteen stores. Total payments for acquisitions were £293 million, being primarily the Star Markets acquisition, resulting in net debt of £1,264 million as at 1 April 2000 with gearing of 27%. Group profit and loss account for the 52 weeks to 1 April 2000 2000 52 weeks 1999 56 weeks Before Before except- Except- except- Except- ional ional ional ional items items Total items items Total Note £m £m £m £m £m £m Turnover including VAT and sales taxes 2 17,414 - 17,414 17,587 - 17,587 VAT and sales taxes (1,143) - (1,143) (1,154) - (1,154) Turnover excluding VAT and sales taxes 16,271 - 16,271 16,433 - 16,433 Continuing operations 15,784 - 15,784 16,433 - 16,433 Acquisitions 487 - 487 - - - Group turnover excluding VAT and sales taxes 16,271 - 16,271 16,433 - 16,433 Cost of sales 4 (15,118) (83) (15,201) (15,095) (21) (15,116) Gross profit 1,153 (83) 1,070 1,338 (21) 1,317 Administrative expenses4 (486) (29) (515) (406) - (406) Amortisation of goodwill 9 (11) - (11) - - - Year 2000 costs (6) - (6) (30) - (30) Profit sharing (10) - (10) (45) - (45) Group administrative expenses (513) (29) (542) (481) - (481) Operating profit 640 (112) 528 857 (21) 836 Continuing operations 659 (96) 563 857 (21) 836 Acquisitions (19) (16) (35) - - - Group operating profit 640 (112) 528 857 (21) 836 Associated undertakings - share of profit 1 - 1 12 - 12 Profit on sale of properties 4 - 52 52 - 11 11 Profit on disposal of an associate - - - - 84 84 Profit on ordinary activities before interest 641 (60) 581 869 74 943 Net interest payable 3 (72) - (72) (55) - (55) Profit on ordinary activities before tax 569 (60) 509 814 74 888 Underlying profit on ordinary activities before tax 580 (60) 520 814 74 888 Amortisation of goodwill (11) - (11) - - - Group profit on ordinary activities before tax 569 (60) 509 814 74 888 Tax on profit on ordinary activities (189) 27 (162) (258) (34) (292) Profit on ordinary activities after tax 380 (33) 347 556 40 596 Equity minority interest 2 - 2 2 - 2 Profit for the financial year 382 (33) 349 558 40 598 Dividends (274) (294) Retained profit 75 304 Earnings per share 5 18.3p 31.4p Underlying earnings per share* 5 20.5p 29.2p Diluted earnings per share 5 18.2p 31.1p Underlying diluted earnings per share* 5 20.5p 29.0p * Before amortisation of goodwill, exceptional costs and non-operating items Group statement of total recognised gains and losses for the 52 weeks to 1 April 2000 2000 1999 52 weeks 56 weeks £m £m Profit for the financial year 349 598 Currency translation differences on foreign currency net investments 3 5 Total recognised gains and losses relating to the financial year 352 603 There is no material difference between the above profit for the period and the historical cost equivalent. Reconciliation of movements in equity shareholders' funds 2000 1999 52 weeks 56 weeks £m £m Profit for the financial period 349 598 Equity dividends (274) (294) 75 304 Currency translation differences 3 5 Goodwill on disposals charged to profit for the financial year - 148 New share capital subscribed for less expenses of capital issues 21 68 Amounts deducted in respect of shares issued to the QUEST (1) (6) Other (-) (2) Net movement in equity shareholders' funds 98 517 Opening equity shareholders' funds 4,644 4,127 Closing equity shareholders' funds 4,742 4,644 Group balance sheets 1 April 2000 3 April 1999 Note £m £m Fixed assets Intangible assets 316 - Tangible assets 6,563 6,409 Investments 98 41 6,977 6,450 Current assets Stocks 986 843 Debtors 320 249 Investments 18 17 Sainsbury's Bank 6 1,718 1,766 Cash at bank and in hand 533 725 3,575 3,600 Creditors: due within one year Sainsbury's Bank 6 (1,607) (1,669) Other (3,113) (2,880) (4,720) (4,549) Net current liabilities (1,145) (949) Total assets less current liabilities 5,832 5,501 Creditors: due after one year (993) (804) Provisions for liabilities and charges (48) (8) Total net assets 4,791 4,689 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 481 480 Share premium account 1,379 1,359 Revaluation reserve 39 38 Profit and loss account 2,843 2,767 Group shareholders' funds 4,742 4,644 Equity minority interest 49 45 Total capital employed 4,791 4,689 Group cash flow statement for the 52 weeks to 1 April 2000 2000 1999 52 weeks 56 weeks Note £m £m Net cash inflow from operating activities 7 838 1,322 Dividends received from associated undertakings - 3 Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 46 46 Interest paid (109) (113) Interest element of finance lease rental payments (17) (16) Net Cash outflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance (80) (83) Taxation (218) (287) Capital expenditure and financial investment Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets (755) (803) Receipts from sale of tangible fixed assets 385 107 Purchase of own shares (68) (2) Payments for intangible assets (6) - Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial investment (444) (698) Acquisitions and disposals Acquisition of and investment in subsidiary and associated undertakings 9 (293) (11) Investment in Sainsbury's Bank by minority shareholder 4 9 Proceeds from disposal of an associate - 345 (Investment in)/proceeds from disposal of other fixed asset investments (1) 3 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from acquisitions and disposals (290) 346 Equity dividends paid (294) (249) Net cash (outflow)/inflow before management of liquid resources and financing (488) 354 Management of liquid resources - 3 Financing Issue of ordinary share capital 16 38 Increase in short-term borrowings 79 188 Increase/(decrease) in long-term borrowings 173 (9) Capital element of finance lease rental payments (4) (6) Net cash inflow from financing 264 211 (Decrease)/increase in cash in the period (224) 568 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt 2000 1999 Note £m £m (Decrease)/increase in cash in the period (224) 568 Cash inflow from increase in debt and lease financing (248) (173) Debt in subsidiaries acquired (76) - New finance leases (7) (17) Currency translation difference (5) (5) Movement in net debt in the period 8 (560) 373 Net debt at the beginning of the period 8 (704) (1,077) Net debt at the end of the period 8 (1,264) (704) Notes to the Results 1. Accounting policies and financial period The financial information has been prepared using the accounting policies set out in the 1999 Annual Accounts except for the accounting for computer software costs. The previous policy was to write off software as incurred unless it formed an integral part of a purchased tangible asset. Costs incurred in acquiring and developing computer software are now capitalised as fixed assets where the software supports a significant business system and the expenditure leads to the creation of an identifiable durable asset. Computer software assets are depreciated over their expected useful lives. Expenditure on projects which has been capitalised as fixed assets amounted to £18 million and depreciation where the software assets were already in use amounted to £3 million so giving a net impact of £15 million. It is not practicable to restate prior years as the required detail covering previous years is not available across all Group companies. The 1999 financial year covered a 56 week period rather than 52 weeks. To facilitate comparison, where appropriate, information for the 52 weeks to 3 April 1999 (unaudited) is presented. 2. Group sales and operating profit (before amortisation of goodwill, Year 2000 costs, exceptional costs and profit sharing) Set out below are the Group sales (including VAT)and operating profit before amortisation of goodwill, Year 2000 costs, exceptional costs and profit sharing for the 52 weeks ended 1 April 2000, the 52 weeks ended 3 April 1999 (unaudited) and the 56 weeks ended 3 April 1999. 52 weeks 52 weeks 56 weeks 52 weeks Sales (£ million) to 1 April to 3 April to 3 April Change % 2000 1999 1999 (unaudited) Sainsbury's Supermarkets 13,266.7 13,033.5 14,004.4 1.8% Homebase 1,428.1 1,297.9 1,393.0 10.0% Sainsbury's Bank 136.0 146.5 157.5 -7.2% JS Developments 165.2 31.6 31.7 422.8% Other 0.1 12.9 12.9 - UK total 14,996.1 14,522.4 15,599.5 3.3% Shaw's Supermarkets 2,394.1 1,855.3 1,987.9 29.0% Sainsbury's Egypt 24.3 - - - Overseas total 2,418.4 1,855.3 1,987.9 30.4% TOTAL 17,414.5 16,377.7 17,587.4 6.3% Operating profit (£ million) Sainsbury's Supermarkets 521.8 732.3 792.8 -28.7% Homebase 57.0 74.6 76.3 -23.6% Sainsbury's Bank 2.9 (5.1) (5.6) - JS Developments 16.4 9.0 8.9 82.2% Other (0.5) 3.3 3.4 - UK total 597.6 814.1 875.8 -26.6% Shaw's Supermarkets 80.0 53.4 56.3 49.8% Sainsbury's Egypt (10.8) - - Overseas total 69.2 53.4 56.3 29.6% TOTAL 666.8 867.5 932.1 -23.1% US sales and operating profit have been translated at an average exchange rate for the period of £1 = $1.61 for the 52 weeks ended 1 April 2000 (1999 56 weeks : $1.66, 52 weeks $1.65). Shaw's sales and operating profit in local currency (including Star Markets) Sales ($ million) 3,856.7 3,069.0 3,290.7 25.7% Operating profit ($ million) 128.9 88.3 94.7 46.0% The results set out above are after deducting all e-commerce expenditure including home shopping: Pre e-commerce % change E-commerce Post e-commerce £m £m £m Sainsbury's Supermarkets 541.5 -27.2% 19.7 521.8 Homebase 64.6 -13.4% 7.6 57.0 Operating profit for the 52 weeks ended 1 April 2000 excludes Year 2000 costs of £5.5 million (56 weeks ended 3 April 1999 - £29.7 million and 52 weeks ended 3 April 1999 - £27.8 million) representing the incremental costs of converting computer software to deal with the Year 2000 date change. 3. Capitalised interest Group interest capitalised in the 52 week period ended 1 April 2000 was £14 million (56 week period ended 3 April 1999 : £15 million). 4. Exceptional items 4.1 Exceptional operating items The exceptional costs comprise the following: 2000 1999 Severance and reorganisation Store costs closures Total Total £m £m £m £m Sainsbury's Supermarkets 19 8 27 - Homebase 18 27 45 21 Shaw's Supermarkets 4 7 11 - Exceptional cost of sales 41 42 83 21 Sainsbury's Supermarkets 12 - 12 - Homebase - 4 4 - Shaw's Supermarkets 13 - 13 - Exceptional administrative expenses 25 4 29 - Total exceptional costs 66 46 112 21 The reorganisation costs incurred in Sainsbury's Supermarkets were the result of simplifying central and store operations and streamlining the store management structure. The integration of Savacentre into Sainsbury's Supermarkets is now complete. Homebase has closed 99 kitchen studios which were loss making and is utilising the space released for extending its own range of products. The severance and reorganisation costs of closure amounted to £15 million. Homebase has also simplified its operations which resulted in associated severance costs of £4 million. Restructuring costs at Hampden Group PLC, which was acquired during the year, amounted to £2 million. The exceptional severance costs in US operations all relate to the integration of Star Markets (see note 9). The closure provision includes a programme of 14 store closures at Homebase. 4.2 Exceptional non-operating items The exceptional non-operating items comprise the following: 2000 1999 £m £m Sale and leaseback of UK supermarket freeholds 82 - Disposal of Shaw's Supermarkets shopping centres (15) - Other (15) 11 52 11 An amount of £82 million is included in property profits resulting from the sale of 16 supermarket freehold properties for proceeds of £325 million to a property company not related to the Group. The supermarkets have been leased back by Sainsbury's Supermarkets for a period of 23 years at a market rent which will increase by 1% per annum over the lease period. The leases have been treated as operating leases. The Company has provided a guarantee to the purchasers of the freeholds that the properties will realise at least £170 million at the end of the lease period. In view of the relatively low amount of this guarantee when compared to the present market value of the freehold interests, it is believed that the likelihood of this guarantee being invoked is remote. Provision was made for a loss of £15 million on the sale of 19 shopping centres owned by Shaw's Supermarkets. The transaction generated net proceeds of £72 million. In 15 of these shopping centres, Shaw's Supermarkets will enter into a lease, but only for the area from which it trades. 5. Earnings per share The calculation of earnings per share is based on profit after tax and minority interest, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the 52 week period to 1 April 2000 of 1,913.5 million (56 weeks to 3 April 1999 : 1,909.4 million). For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. The group has only one category of dilutive potential ordinary shares: those share options granted to employees where the exercise price is less than the average market price of the Company's ordinary shares during the year. 2000 1999 number number (million) (million) Weighted average number of shares in issue 1,913.5 1,909.4 Weighted average number of dilutive share options 4.1 17.0 Total shares for calculating diluted earnings per share 1,917.6 1,926.4 The alternative measure of earnings per share is provided because it reflects the Group's underlying trading performance by excluding the effect of amortisation of goodwill, exceptional costs, the profit or loss on the sale of properties, and any profits or losses on disposal of associated undertakings or subsidiaries. 2000 1999 52 weeks 56 weeks Earnings Per share Earnings Per share amount amount £m pence £m pence Basic earnings per share 349 18.3 599 31.4 Amortisation of goodwill 11 0.6 - - Exceptional costs 84 4.4 14 0.7 Profit on sale of properties and disposal of an associate (52) (2.8) (55) (2.9) Basic earnings per share before amortisation of goodwill, exceptional costs and profit on sale of properties and disposal of an associate 392 20.5 558 29.2 Diluted earnings per share 349 18.2 599 31.1 Diluted earnings per share before amortisation of goodwill, exceptional costs and profit on sale of properties and disposal of associate 392 20.5 558 29.0 6. Current assets and creditors of Sainsbury's Bank 1 April 3 April 2000 1999 £m £m Current assets Treasury bills and other eligible bills 64 83 Loans and advances to banks 542 1,212 Loans and advances to customers* 684 398 Debt securities 399 48 Prepayments and accrued income 29 25 1,718 1,766 Creditors: due within one year Customer accounts 1,590 1,653 Accruals and deferred income 17 16 1,607 1,669 * Loans and advances to customers include £329 million (1999 - £100 million) of loans and advances repayable in more than one year. In addition to the above assets and liabilities, Sainsbury's Bank had other assets of £5million at 1 April 2000 (3 April 1999 : £4 million) and other liabilities of £4 million (3 April 1999: £nil). 7. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities 2000 1999 52 weeks 56 weeks £m £m Operating profit 528 836 Depreciation 410 388 Amortisation of intangible assets 12 - (Profit)/loss on sale of equipment, fixtures and vehicles (4) 6 Increase in stocks (86) (75) Increase in debtors (47) (73) Increase in creditors and provisions 39 256 Decrease/(increase) in Sainsbury's Bank current assets 48 (182) (Decrease)/increase in Sainsbury's Bank creditors (62) 166 838 1,322 8. Analysis of net debt Debt in At 3 subsidiaries Other At 1 April Cash acquired non-cash Exchange April 1999 flow (excluding movements movements 2000 cash and overdrafts) £m £m £m £m £m £m Cash and liquid funds 742 (190) (1) 551 Overdrafts (128) (34) (162) (224) Debt due within 1 year (532) (79) (76) (2) (689) Debt due after 1 year (653) (173) (2) (828) Finance leases (133) 4 (7) - (136) (248) Total (704) (472) (76) (7) (5) (1,264) 9. Acquisitions of and investment in subsidiary and associates undertakings Three companies became subsidiaries during the year. 2000 1999 Cash Cash Cash consideration balances Overdrafts Total consideration plus costs acquired acquired plus costs £m £m £m £m £m Star Markets Holdings Inc. (235) 1 - (234) - Hampden Group PLC (14) 3 - (11) - Egyptian Distribution Group SAE (40) - (8) (48) (11) (289) 4 (8) (293) (11) a) Star Markets On 28 June 1999, Shaw's Supermarkets acquired Star Markets for a total consideration of £311 million including debt acquired of £76 million. Star Markets now operates 44 supermarkets, mainly in the Greater Boston area. In the 40 weeks to 1 April 2000, Star Markets contributed £446 million to Group turnover and an operating loss of £19 million (including exceptional operating costs of £14 million (note 4.1) and amortisation of goodwill of £9.5 million). Provisional goodwill arising amounted to £250 million after fair value adjustments downwards of £22 million on net assets acquired of £83 million. The goodwill is being amortised over 20 years with the charge in the year to 1 April 2000 being £9.5 million. b) Other acquisitions Following a public offer in October 1999, the Group acquired full ownership of Hampden in which it previously had a holding of 29.2 per cent. The consideration was £14 million. Hampden operates seven Homebase stores in Northern Ireland and three stores in the Republic of Ireland through a franchise agreement. On 20 October 1999, the Group increased its ownership in Egyptian Distribution Group SAE (EDGE) from 25.1 per cent to 80.1 per cent. The consideration comprised an initial cost of £29 million with a further potential payment of £11 million contingent on future performance. Provisional goodwill arising from these two acquisitions amounted to £57 million after fair value adjustments downwards of £4 million on net assets acquired of £11 million. The goodwill is being amortised over 20 years with the charge in the year to 1 April 2000 being £0.2 million for Hampden and £1.2 million for EDGE. 10. Financial statements This financial information is derived from the full Group Financial Statements for the 52 weeks to 1 April 2000 and does not constitute full accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended). The Group Accounts on which the auditors have given an unqualified report which does not contain a statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985, will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies in due course, and posted to shareholders next month. Copies will be available from J Sainsbury plc, Stamford House, Stamford Street, London SE1 9LL and its paying agents Citibank, N.A., 336 Strand, London WC2R 1HB, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, 60 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y OJP and 1 Chase Manhattan Bank, Trinity Tower, 9 Thomas More Street, London E1 9YT. For enquiries Investor Relations: Roger Matthews / Amanda Cobb - 020 7695 6215 Press Office: Pip Wood / Anita Scott - 020 7695 7295
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