Acquisition

Torex Retail PLC 03 July 2006 NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN 3 July 2006 Torex Retail Plc ('Torex Retail' or 'the Group') £50 million Acquisition of Retail-J Limited Launch of £65 million convertible bonds Torex Retail, an international market leader in the provision of innovative retail IT systems, is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Retail-J Limited ('Retail-J'), a provider of electronic point of sales ('EPoS') software products to the UK retail industry for a total consideration of £50 million. The consideration will consist of £40 million in cash and £10 million in Torex Retail shares to be issued at 80 pence, an approximately 16% premium to Torex Retail's closing market price of 69.25 pence on Friday 30 June 2006. Torex Retail also announces that it has issued £65 million convertible bonds (the 'Bonds') in a private placement managed by Jefferies International Limited acting as sole book runner. The Bonds will be issued by Torex Retail (Jersey) Limited and guaranteed by Torex Retail. The proceeds of the issue will be used for the acquisition of Retail-J, repayment of senior debt facilities and for general corporate purposes. - Since Retail-J was launched in May 2002, 28 UK retailers have deployed or are implementing its software: representing over 3,200 stores and 13,500 EPoS terminals with a further 19,000 EPoS and 2,400 stores undergoing implementation. - Major blue chip retail customers include Selfridges, B&Q, French Connection UK, Bhs, Specsavers, Monsoon, Harrods, TieRack and Vodafone. - Acquisition meets with Torex Retail's stated strategy of building a leading global supplier of retail systems through strategic acquisitions and organic growth. - Retail-J's products are highly complementary to Torex Retail's Java product (Lucas). - The acquisition is anticipated to be earnings neutral for the Group's financial year to December 2006 with a stronger and positive impact on earnings in 2007. - Retail-J's Managing Director Mike Carrell to join Torex Retail Board as Chief Technology Officer. Commenting on the acquisition of Retail-J Chris Moore, Executive Chairman of Torex Retail said: 'The acquisition of Retail-J brings together what we believe to be the best EPoS and store system for the UK market with the substantial resources, reach and capabilities of Torex Retail. We intend to leverage the Retail-J Java Centre of Excellence emphasising the Group's commitment to research and development, which will see continued investment in the Retail-J product suite and related applications, while offering our customers a range of innovative new products. Retail-J's products are complementary to Torex Retail's Lucas Java product which has been implemented in numerous countries throughout Europe, the Far East and in North America. The Group anticipates that Lucas will remain the focal EPoS solution for Torex Retail's European customers while Retail-J's solution will become the key product for the UK market. In addition, I am delighted to welcome the Retail-J team to Torex Retail, and in particular, Mike Carrell to our Board. We now have a world class product portfolio spanning general retail, food, petroleum & convenience and hospitality. This deal completes our platform for growth and no further acquisitions will be made in 2006.' Managing Director of Retail-J, Mike Carrell said: 'We are very excited to become part of the Torex Retail group. Retail-J has proven itself to be a provider of truly flexible store systems, acquiring 28 major UK customers in the last 4 years. We are determined that this will continue and with the global presence of Torex Retail behind us, we can now take our products in to many new territories and sectors.' Torex Retail management will be holding a conference call for UK analysts and institutional investors at 9.30am (UK time) this morning. Participants are to dial: +44 (0)20 7138 0818. Please note that private investors will not be allowed to participate. For further information please contact: Torex Retail +44 (0) 870 300 6061 Chris Moore, Executive Chairman Mark Pearman, Finance Director Jefferies International Limited Capital Markets +44 (0) 20 7618 3500 Cliff Siegel, Managing Director Ciaran Flynn, Director Corporate Finance +44 (0) 20 7968 8000 Sarah McNicholas, Director Citigate Dewe Rogerson +44 (0) 20 7638 9571 Ginny Pulbrook Executive Director Sebastian Hoyle, Associate Director NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN 3 July 2006 Torex Retail Plc ('Torex Retail' or 'the Group') Acquisition of Retail-J Limited Placement of £65 million convertible bonds Torex Retail, an international market leader in the provision of innovative retail IT systems, is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Retail-J Limited ('Retail-J'), a provider of software products to the UK retail industry for a consideration of £50 million. The consideration will consist of £40 million in cash and £10 million of new Torex Retail shares to be issued at 80 pence, a 16% premium to Torex Retail's closing market price of 69.25 pence on Friday 30 June 2006. Torex Retail also announces that it has issued £65 million convertible bonds (the 'Bonds') in a private placement managed by Jefferies International Limited ('Jefferies') acting as sole book runner. The Bonds will be issued by Torex Retail (Jersey) Limited and guaranteed by Torex Retail. The proceeds of the issue will be used to fund the acquisition of Retail-J, repayment of senior debt facilities and for general corporate purposes. About Retail-J Retail-J is one of the UK's leading providers of software solutions for Electronic Point of Sales ('EPoS') with a integrated EPoS and back office software solution. The strength of Retail-J's product suite has allowed it to compete successfully against larger, more established EPoS providers and create a blue-chip customer base. Retail-J is primarily a software development business and makes the majority of its sales through distributors. Retail-J is based in Hertford and employs 20 people. As of the end of May 2006, Retail-J's solutions are live on 13,500 EPoS terminals in 3,200 stores, with a further 19,000 terminals and 2,400 stores undergoing implementation - representing a total of 28 major UK retailers. Some of the retailers who have selected Retail-J's solutions include Selfridges, B&Q, French Connection UK, Harrods, Bhs, Specsavers, Monsoon and Vodafone. Retail-J's unaudited accounts for the year ended 31 December 2005, showed turnover of £4.6 million and adjusted EBIT of £3.2 million. At 31 December 2005 the business had cash balances of £2.4 million. The business continues to grow rapidly and remains highly profitable and cash generative. Mike Carrell, Retail-J's founder and managing director, will join the board of Torex Retail as Chief Technology Officer. Mike has a wealth of experience in the retail software industry having previously been the CTO of Real Time Control PLC and NSB Retail PLC. Ed Dayan will remain on the Board focussing on the Group's hospitality activities and in particular on opportunities in the quick service restaurant market following the recent acquisition of Savista. Rationale for acquisition Torex Retail's stated strategy is to build a leading global supplier of retail systems through a combination of strategic acquisitions and strong organic growth. The acquisition of Retail-J will fit well with this strategy and completes a world-class EPoS portfolio creating substantial opportunity for both direct and channel sales. Whilst the Group intends to maintain the network of distributors established by Retail-J, the acquisition will create the opportunity for Torex Retail to accelerate its penetration of the UK market by selling Retail-J through its own direct sales force. Such sales will also include the balance of the software licence, professional services, support and hardware associated with a turnkey EPoS solution not currently provided by Retail-J and therefore represent significant revenue opportunities for the Group. The Retail-J product will also give the Group the opportunity to rationalise its existing product portfolio giving rise to reduced product development and support costs. Commenting on the acquisition of Retail-J Chris Moore, Executive Chairman of Torex Retail said: 'The acquisition of Retail-J will bring together what we believe to be the best EPoS and store system for the UK market with the substantial resources, reach and capabilities of Torex Retail. We intend to leverage the Retail-J Java Centre of Excellence emphasising the Group's commitment to research and development, which will see continued investment in the Retail-J product suite and related applications, while offering our customers a range of innovative new products. Retail-J's products are complementary to Torex Retail's Lucas Java product which has been implemented in numerous countries throughout Europe, the Far East and in North America. The Group anticipates that Lucas will remain the focal EPoS solution for Torex Retail's European customers while Retail-J's solution will become the key product for the UK market. I am delighted to welcome the Retail-J team to Torex Retail, and in particular, Mike Carrell to our Board. We now have a world class product portfolio spanning general retail, food, petroleum & convenience and hospitality .This deal completes our platform for growth and no further acquisitions will be made in 2006.' Managing Director of Retail-J, Mike Carrell said: 'We are very excited to become part of the Torex Retail group. Retail-J has proven itself to be a provider of truly flexible store systems, acquiring 28 major UK customers in the last 4 years. We are determined that this will continue and with the global presence of Torex Retail behind us, we can now take our products in to many new territories and sectors.' Financial Impact Currently, the acquisition is anticipated to be earnings neutral for the Group's financial year to December 2006, with a stronger and positive impact on earnings in the 2007 financial period. Convertible Bonds Torex Retail also announces the private placement of £65 million convertible bonds. Jefferies has been granted an option to subscribe for an additional £10 million Bonds in the event the issue is oversubscribed. The Bonds will be issued by Torex Retail (Jersey) Limited, convertible into preference shares of the Issuer and immediately exchangeable into ordinary shares of Torex Retail and guaranteed by Torex Retail. The proceeds of the issue will be used for the acquisition of Retail-J, repayment of senior debt facilities and for general corporate purposes. As per the terms of the issue, the Bonds will have a maturity of 5 years are convertible into ordinary shares of the Company and will have a coupon of 5.5% and a conversion price of 86 pence based on a conversion premium of approximately 25% over Torex Retail's closing market price of 69.25 pence on Friday 30 June 2006. Application will be made for the Bonds to be listed on the Channel Islands Stock Exchange. The underlying equity shares on conversion will be listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange. Jefferies will not conduct stabilisation activities in respect of the Bonds. Torex Retail management will be holding a conference call for UK analysts and institutional investors at 9.30am (UK time) this morning. Participants are to dial: +44 (0)20 7138 0818. Please note that private investors will not be allowed to participate. For further information please contact: Torex Retail +44 (0) 870 300 6061 Chris Moore, Executive Chairman Mark Pearman, Finance Director Jefferies International Limited Capital Markets +44 (0) 20 7618 3500 Cliff Siegel, Managing Director Ciaran Flynn, Director Corporate Finance +44 (0) 20 7968 8000 Sarah McNicholas, Director Citigate Dewe Rogerson +44 (0) 20 7638 9571 Ginny Pulbrook Executive Director Sebastian Hoyle, Associate Director Important Note This press release is not an offer for sale of any securities in the United States. Neither the Bonds nor the shares issuable on conversion of the Bonds may be offered or sold within the United States, or to or for, the benefit of US Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933 as amended) absent registration or an exemption from registration. No offering of the Bonds will be made in the United States, or to or for, the benefit of US Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933 as amended). This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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