Half Year Results

RNS Number : 5296C

Angling Direct PLC

12 October 2022

 

12 October 2022

Angling Direct PLC

('Angling Direct', the 'Company' or the 'Group')

Half Year Results

Continued strategic progress and revenue growth despite headwinds

Angling Direct PLC (AIM: ANG), the leading omni-channel specialist fishing tackle and equipment retailer, is pleased to announce its unaudited financial results for the six months ended 31 July 2022 (H1 FY23).

£m	H1 FY23	H1 FY22	% Change
Revenue	38.9	38.4	+1.3%
Retail store sales	21.9	19.9	+9.8%
Online sales	17.0	18.5	-7.9%
Gross profit	13.4	14.4	-6.5%
Gross margin %	34.6%	37.4%	-280bps
EBITDA (pre IFRS-16)	1.9	4.4	-58.2%
Profit before tax	1.1	3.7	-69.8%
Basic EPS	1.14p	3.72p	-69.4%

Financial highlights:

●	Group revenue increased by 1.3% to £38.9m
●	Retail store estate experienced another strong period of growth with total store sales increasing by 9.8% against H1 FY22, aided by a period free from Covid-19 restrictions
●	Like-for-like store sales increased by 4.6%
●	Online sales decreased by 7.9% to £17.0m against a strong H1 FY22 comparative, however UK online sales of £15.3m remained 61% above pre-Covid levels (H1 FY20: £9.5m)
●	In Europe, online sales grew by 36.9% with online sales to our key European territories, via our German, French and Dutch websites, growing by 55.0%
●	Gross margin decreased by 280 bps as a result of considered competitive trading both in the UK and Europe combined with inevitable cost price inflation, albeit remains comfortably above historical levels
●	Pre IFRS 16 EBITDA of £1.9m reflects lack of prior year £0.9m Government COVID-19 support and £0.5m increased European start up losses
●	Positive operating cashflow of £2.4m (H1 FY22: £5.8m)
●	Strong balance sheet with Group net cash of £17.1m at 31 July 2022 (31 July 2021: £19.6m)
●	The Group remains well capitalised and securely positioned to meet short-term challenges

Operational highlights:

●	From 1 March 2022 all EU online sales transacted through our subsidiary, ADNL B.V., and were fulfilled by our new fully operational Dutch distribution centre
●	Higher margin own brand sales in the period grew by 34.6%, as a result of increased promotional activity
●	Leveraging our deepening supplier relationships, we expanded our exclusive branded product ranges to customers
●	Significant progress made to refresh and contemporise our store shopping environment
●	Improved our in-store service proposition through the use of our new BAITS assisted selling programme, footfall counting technology, and customer focused colleague deployment
●	The Company's digital customer reach continued to extend, particularly in the EU, where our social media following and email database grew by 32% and 172% respectively
●	Continued our new store rollout in Washington, Tyne and Wear, establishing the Company's first store in northeast England
●	Strong new store pipeline with two further stores opened in early H2 FY23, in Coventry (August 2022) and Stockton-on-Tees (September 2022)
●	In late FY22 we launched our industry first trading web app. In H1 FY23 we deployed our second phase app development with improved search speed and relevance, and plan to actively market and incentivise downloads and usage in H2 FY23

Current trading and outlook

●	The Company remains focussed on gaining market share both in the UK and Europe over the medium to long term and believes that the current uncertain consumer environment coupled with the Company's fundamental strengths mean there is a significant opportunity to gain market share in a weakening competitor landscape
●	The Group will therefore continue to invest to drive market share growth, where prudent to do so, leveraging its market leading position in the UK and strong balance sheet to ensure it is best placed competitively when consumer confidence returns
●	As flagged in our recent trading update, post-period end sales have been impacted by unusually hot temperatures which caused some fishery closures and led to sales in the peak trading month of August being 7.0% down against the corresponding month in H2 FY22
●	Total sales returned to modest year on year growth in September, however, like many consumer facing businesses we have recently seen volatile, unprecedented and unpredictable trading conditions both in-store and online which change significantly week-by-week for example, for trading weeks which commenced in the month of September year on year total UK sales ranged from 21% increase to 0.5% decrease
●	The general market outlook has deteriorated further in recent weeks which creates a heightened degree of uncertainty and makes short term forecasting extremely challenging
●	The Board remains optimistic about the long-term prospects for the Group, underpinned by its leading omni-channel proposition and strong balance sheet which reinforces the Group's decision to continue to invest to support its long-term strategy
●	Due to the challenging and highly volatile trading conditions the Company faces, and the difficulty in short term forecasting and trading, the Board believes it prudent to reduce its expectations for both revenue and pre-IFRS 16 EBITDA for FY 2023
●	The Board is confident that revenue and pre-IFRS 16 EBITDA for the year ending 31 January 2023 will be not less than £73.8m and £2.2m respectively

Andy Torrance, CEO of Angling Direct, said:

"Despite the uncertain macroeconomic environment, our strategy remains unchanged as we continue to focus on gaining market share both in the UK and Europe over the medium to long term. As a result, we are pleased to have achieved sales growth during H1 FY23 against a strong prior year comparator. In fact, sales in Q1 FY23 were 5.4% ahead of Q1 FY22 before sentiment began to be significantly impacted by the cost-of-living crisis during Q2.

Throughout the period we continued to make progress against our strategic objectives. Our European Distribution Centre has been fully operational since 1 March 2022, we grew European key territory sales by 55.0% to £1.6m, we continued to improve our in store retail proposition and we opened our first store in northeast England, in Washington.

Sales in August were disrupted by the unusually hot weather in the UK and Europe. Despite trading improving in September, further adverse economic news flow and political uncertainty has resulted in volatile and unprecedented trading conditions which is making short-term forecasting challenging. As a result of these factors and the Board's decision to continue its strategic investment, the Board believes it is prudent to revise downwards its forecasts for FY23 accordingly.

The Board remains optimistic about the long-term growth prospects of the Group and believes that continued strategic investment now will leave the Group best placed competitively when consumer confidence returns. The Group will only continue to strategically invest in a controlled manner and only to the extent that it retains both strong liquidity and its robust balance sheet."

Note: Angling Direct believes that consensus market expectations for the year ending 31 January 2023 prior to publication of this announcement are for revenues of £78.5 million and pre-IFRS 16 EBITDA of £3.0 million.

Investor Meet Company presentation - 17 October 2022

Management will provide a live presentation via the Investor Meet Company platform at 11.00 a.m. BST on 17 October. The presentation is open to all existing and potential shareholders. Questions can be submitted pre-event via your Investor Meet Company dashboard up until 9.00 a.m. the day before the meeting or at any time during the live presentation. Investors can sign up to Investor Meet Company for free to meet Angling Direct plc via: https://www.investormeetcompany.com/angling-direct-plc/register-investor . Investors who already follow Angling Direct on the Investor Meet Company platform will automatically be invited.

For further information please contact:

Angling Direct PLC	[phone]
Andy Torrance, Chief Executive Officer Steven Crowe, Chief Financial Officer
Singer Capital Markets - NOMAD and Broker	[phone]
Peter Steel Tom Salvesen Alex Bond James Fischer
FTI Consulting - Financial PR	[phone]
Alex Beagley Sam Macpherson Alice Newlyn	[e-mail]

This announcement contains information which, prior to its disclosure, was inside information as stipulated under the UK version of article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014.

About Angling Direct

Angling Direct is the leading omni-channel specialist fishing tackle retailer in the UK. The Company sells fishing tackle products and related equipment through its network of retail stores, located strategically throughout the UK as well as through its leading digital platform (www.anglingdirect.co.uk .de, .fr, .nl, EU) and other third-party websites.

Angling Direct is committed to supporting its active customer base and widening access to the angling community through its passionate colleagues, store-based qualified coaches, social media reach and ADTV YouTube channel. The Company currently sells over 25,000 fishing tackle products, including capital items, consumables, luggage and clothing. Angling Direct also owns and sells fishing tackle products under its own brand 'Advanta', which was formally launched in March 2016.

From 1986 to 2002, the Company's founders acquired interests in a number of small independent fishing tackle shops in Norfolk and, in 2002, they acquired a significant premise in Norwich, which was branded Angling Direct. Since 2002, the Company has continued to acquire or open new stores, taking the total number up to 45 retail stores. In 2015, the Company opened a 2,800 sq. metres central distribution centre in Rackheath, Norfolk, where the Company's head office is also located. In March 2022, Angling Direct opened a 3,940 square metre distribution centre in Venlo, Netherlands to service its established, and rapidly growing, presence in Europe with native language websites set up in key regions to address demand.

Chief Executive Officer's Review

The Group is pleased to have continued to grow sales both in the UK and in its key European territories despite the ongoing adverse external economic and political conditions. Following the Covid-enforced store closures during the first halves of both FY21 and FY22, we were very pleased to be able to trade with stores fully open in H1 FY23.

Our strategy continues to centre around becoming Europe's first choice fishing tackle destination, for all anglers, regardless of experience or ability. The Group believes its increasingly differentiated, market leading omni-channel trading platform allowed it to gain market share in the period as the Group made good progress against all of its stated strategic priorities. Encouraged by the sales growth and market share gains achieved as well as the longer-term growth opportunity, the Group maintained its programme of strategic investment in H1 FY23 despite the economic headwinds.

As well as new opportunities, H1 FY23 has presented several significant challenges, most notably balancing our ambition to rapidly grow turnover in our key European territories, against the highly inflationary cost pressures on both businesses and consumers. Despite these ongoing macro-economic challenges, I am pleased that investment in recent years to modernise Angling Direct's operations, whilst building balance sheet resilience, means that the Group remains well capitalised and securely positioned to meet these short-term challenges.

We expect the current difficult trading conditions will persist into H2 FY23 and beyond and are conscious that this will inevitably impact many of our current and potential customers. During this time, we will continue to prudently invest in our strategic objectives and our relentless focus will be on ensuring we deliver the very best value and shopping experience in our market, regardless of which channel our customers choose, thereby ensuring Angling Direct is in the strongest position to be able to profitably grow and take further market share as consumer confidence returns.

I would like to thank all my colleagues for their continued enthusiasm, commitment, and deep specialist knowledge that is recognised and valued so much by our customers and is the foundation of our resilience and ongoing success.

Results

Group revenue increased by 1.3% to £38.9m for the six months ended 31 July 2022 (H1 FY22: £38.4m). The Company recorded sales growth of 5.4% in Q1 2023 (against the same period in the prior year), however, the well documented pressure on discretionary spending and consumer confidence significantly impacted Q2 2023, with sales reducing marginally by 1.6% against the prior year.

Gross profit reduced by 6.5% to £13.4m (H1 FY22: £14.4m) as we sought to maintain our competitive position in light of inflationary cost price increases. Pre IFRS 16 EBITDA decreased by 58.2% to £1.9m (H1 FY22: £4.4m), £0.9m of the reduction attributed to the absence of direct Government COVID-19 support received in the prior year and £0.5m representing start-up losses associated with our first year of in-region European fulfilment from our new distribution centre in Venlo, NL, opened in March 2022.

The Company retains a strong net cash position at 31 July 2022 of £17.1m (31 July 2021: 19.6m).

Operational Review

Retail Stores

Total store sales in the period increased 9.8% to £21.9m (H1 FY22: £19.9m). Like-for-like store sales grew by 4.6% supported by a period free from any COVID-19 trading restrictions.

We are delighted with how our store teams have embraced our new BAITS assisted selling programme. Our colleagues are the vital touch point between Angling Direct stores and our customers. The BAITS approach, designed to support our purpose of Getting Everyone Fishing, ensures our customers consistently get the very best advice and support tailored to their specific needs and fishing ambitions. This is crucial for driving conversion, creating satisfied, loyal customers, and prompting recommendation.

Since our investment in footfall counting technology late in FY22, we have been able to deploy customer targeted colleague working rotas, which has gone some way toward mitigating significant inflationary wage pressures. Whilst we do not yet have prior period comparisons, this along with the success of the BAITS has seen store footfall conversion increasing from 52.7% at the beginning of H1 FY23 to 59.5% by the end of July 2022.

In line with our strategic commitment to being the first choice omni-channel fishing retailer in all our markets, we continue to invest in new UK retail stores. Utilising out-sourced development contractors for the first time, we built our first store in the northeast of England, in Washington, in record time, opening in the final week of the period. We have a healthy new store pipeline focused on unserved catchments with two further stores targeted to open early in H2 FY23, store 44 in Coventry (August 2022) and store 45 in Stockton-on-Tees (September 2022). At the period end we have opened 13 new stores since H1 FY20.

Our Retail Transformation plan, focused on radically improving our store shopping environment, is making solid progress. During the period, all stores benefited from the new 'Getting Everyone Fishing' and own brand Advanta rebranding graphics. Taking learnings from our new concept stores, we rolled back a number of new merchandising solutions and product adjacencies across key categories.

Online

As part of our drive to grow market share and customer loyalty, we continue to invest in contemporary digital infrastructure and customer marketing, to ensure we stand apart from our competitors.

Total online sales in the period declined by 7.9% to £17.0m (H1 FY22: £18.5m) partially reflecting the reversal of the prior year lockdown driven change in channel mix. However, it is important to note that UK online sales for the period of £15.3m were 61% ahead of pre-Covid levels (H1 FY20: £9.5m), reflecting the strong advancements the business has made over the last few years.

In Europe, online sales for the period grew by 36.9% year on year. From 1 March 2022 all EU online sales were transacted through our subsidiary, ADNL B.V., and were fulfilled by our new fully operational Dutch distribution centre. Online sales to our key European territories, via our German, French and Dutch websites, grew by 55.0%.

UK conversion rate showed some resilience despite lower levels of online search traffic year on year. UK average transaction values reduced in the period, although this effect eased later in the half following a particularly strong dip in May.

We ensure that developments to our digital offering are rapidly deployed across all five of our trading websites (.co.uk, .de, .fr, .nl and .eu). In the period, we strengthened our web trading team who have been focused on improving our product and basket web pages, with improved upsell and recommendation functionality.

We launched our trading web app late in FY22, a market first development allowing a more portable digital experience for our customers, as well as providing some defence against wider market pressure on our advertising ratio. We have now deployed our second phase app development with improved search speed and relevance, and plan to actively market and incentivise downloads and usage in H2 FY23.

The Company's digital customer reach continued to extend, particularly in the EU, where our social media following and email database grew by 32% and 173% respectively. Our Team AD videographers live streamed two very successful skill coaching sessions, supported live instore for the first time, with simultaneous hands-on sessions led by our instore Angling Trust qualified fishing coaches in all stores.

Trading

We are committed to providing the most comprehensive range of products for major fishing disciplines, ensuring that we always deliver a variety of choice, value, quality and stock availability.

The Company's recently implemented category management process is now firmly embedded into business as usual across both our UK and EU ranges. As anticipated, stock availability across our sector returned to more historically normal levels during the period. As a result, we have invested product margin in the period to both maintain our competitive position, and actively sell through product delisted following range changes, whilst also stimulating new customer acquisition within the EU. These factors in combination resulted in gross margin reducing in H1 FY23 by 280bps to 34.6%. 

Higher margin own brand sales in the period grew by a pleasing 34.6%. This increase in the proportion of total sales accounted for by higher margin own brand sales is partially attributable to the introduction of new Advanta and AdvantaPro products. New Advanta reels have been particularly successful, as has the introduction of own brand lead weights.

The management team has been following a strategy of prudently investing in stock of key lines as they become available from product suppliers. We believe this provides a significant competitive advantage given suppliers are forecasting upwards cost price pressure. Our Category Management team continues to maintain a key focus on cost price inflation through supplier negotiation and pro-active range management whilst ensuring our customers recognise Angling Direct for its great value and compelling product selection.

As we deepen our relationships with key suppliers, we have been able to bring a growing number of innovative products to market exclusively for our customers. These include the One More Cast terminal tackle range by leading angler Ali Hamedi, the exclusive re-launch of one of the most famous coarse fishing ranges by John Wilson and sole distribution of new Intrepid bait boats.

International

The opportunity for profitable growth within Europe remains clear, particularly within our key target markets of Germany, France, The Netherlands, Belgium and Austria. Considerable management resource has been focused in the period upon establishing in-region web fulfilment to customers in the EU who shop on our native language German, French and Dutch websites. Additionally, we are now able to re-commence sales of UK bait brands, as well as localised product range extensions, promptly delivered at lower cost within competitive lead times.

As a result of these positive advancements, active unique customer numbers in our key European territories have increased by 81.4% to 17,600, with the conversion rate increasing by 90bps to 2.5%. European key territory sales increased by 55.0% in H1 FY23 to £1.6m (H1 FY22: £1.0m).

The Group previously signaled that the costs associated with start-up, along with rigorous comparative price checking and digital marketing investment, would result in a first year loss for Europe of £0.7m. Whilst the size and fragmented nature of these markets remains attractive, the unforeseen impact on consumer confidence of inflationary pressures associated with increasing energy prices due to the war in Ukraine are as acute as in the UK, arguably more so in areas further into Eastern Europe. This has resulted in poorer than anticipated trading margins in the first half, excess marketing costs and a resultant adverse EBITDA impact of £0.2m greater than anticipated in H1 FY23.

We are committed to and see a significant opportunity to build a sustainably profitable international business and have taken steps to develop margin and moderate costs in H2 FY23, conscious that in the current and foreseeable circumstances, it will take longer than originally anticipated to establish a business of material scale. Pleasingly, these active steps which include product pricing and ranging reviews are beginning to yield improving product margins in H2 FY23.

The Board believes that the full Angling Direct omni-channel model will be attractive to European customers and that, in the medium term, bricks and mortar retail stores will complement our growing online business. The potential to accelerate this through considered acquisitions is clear and the Board will update shareholders as and when appropriate, should a suitable opportunity materialise.

Organisational Development

We remain fully committed to acting responsibly and sustainably within our environment and communities. In the current highly inflationary environment, it is more important than ever to ensure we rigorously scrutinise any incremental organisational investment, whilst ensuring we appropriately plan and resource for future share growth in our consolidating markets. In the period, we have continued to supplement and upskill key capabilities within our supply chain, digital and operational teams.

As we seek to continually develop the depth and relevant experience of our Group Board, in the period we were delighted to welcome Christian (Chris) Keen and Nicola (Nicki) Murphy as Independent Non- Executive Directors. Chris Keen has subsequently assumed Chair of our Audit Committee during H1 FY23.

On 11 October 2022, Paul Davies served notice to the Board of his intention to step down from the role of Non-Executive Director on 31 January 2023, at the end of the Group's current financial year. I would like to thank Paul for his significant contribution to the growth of Angling Direct over the last five years.

Current trading and Outlook

The Company remains focused on gaining market share both in the UK and Europe over the medium to long term and believes that the current uncertain consumer environment coupled with the Company's fundamental strengths mean there is a significant opportunity to gain market share in a weakening competitor landscape. The Group will therefore continue to invest to drive market share growth where prudent to do so, leveraging its market leading position in the UK and strong balance sheet to ensure it is best placed competitively when consumer confidence returns.

Trading conditions in the key month of August were impacted by significant drought and associated high temperatures in the UK and Europe which caused some temporary fishery closures and a general reluctance for fish to feed, the consequence of which were sales reduced by 7.0% compared to the same month in FY22.  We are pleased that total sales returned to modest year-on-year growth in September.

Sales in Europe continue to grow steadily, with improving margin and variable cost ratios.

However, like many consumer facing businesses we have recently seen volatile and unprecedented trading conditions both in-store and online which change significantly week-by-week. The general consumer outlook has deteriorated further which creates a heightened degree of uncertainty and makes even short-term forecasting extremely challenging. As a result of these factors and the Board's decision to continue its strategic investment, the Board believes it is prudent to revise downwards its forecasts for FY23 accordingly. The Board is confident, however, that revenue and pre-IFRS 16 EBITDA for the year ending 31 January 2023 will be not less than £73.8m and £2.2m respectively.

The Board remains optimistic about the long-term growth prospects of the Group and believes that continued strategic investment now will leave the Group best placed competitively when consumer confidence returns. The Group will continue to strategically invest in a controlled manner and only to the extent that it retains both strong liquidity and its robust balance sheet.

				Unaudited six months ended 31 July				Audited year ended 31 January
		Note		2022		Restated 2021		2022
				£'000		£'000		£'000
Revenue from contracts with customers		5		38,898		38,404		72,474
Cost of sales of goods				(25,450)		(24,022)		(45,864)
Gross profit				13,448		14,382		26,610
Other income		6		268		932		914
Interest revenue calculated using the effective interest method				26		19		14
Expenses
Administrative expenses				(10,699)		(9,613)		(19,687)
Distribution expenses				(1,689)		(1,787)		(3,423)
Finance costs				(225)		(196)		(406)
Profit before income tax expense				1,129		3,737		4,022
Income tax expense		8		(251)		(863)		(945)
Profit after income tax expense for the period attributable to the owners of Angling Direct PLC				878		2,874		3,077
Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax				-		-		-
Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to the owners of Angling Direct PLC				878		2,874		3,077
				Pence		Pence		Pence
Basic earnings		16		1.14		3.72		3.98
Diluted earnings		16		1.12		3.67		3.93
Refer to note 3 for detailed information on Restatement of comparatives.

Unaudited six months ended 31 July Audited year ended 31 January Note 2022 Restated 2021 2022 £'000 £'000 £'000 Non-current assets Intangibles 9 6,124 6,218 6,176 Property, plant and equipment 10 7,158 5,831 6,908 Right-of-use assets 11 10,771 9,477 11,028 Total non-current assets 24,053 21,526 24,112 Current assets Inventories 17,564 15,724 16,273 Trade and other receivables 1,093 474 542 Prepayments 474 324 545 Cash and cash equivalents 17,084 19,584 16,604 Total current assets 36,215 36,106 33,964

Current liabilities Trade and other payables 12 9,823 10,400 8,680 Lease liabilities 1,709 1,421 1,648 Derivative financial instruments -  -  1 Income tax 566 503 464 Total current liabilities 12,098 12,324 10,793 Net current assets 24,117 23,782 23,171 Total assets less current liabilities 48,170 45,308 47,283 Non-current liabilities Lease liabilities 9,116 8,288 9,402 Restoration provision 759 294 722 Deferred tax 893 623 744 Total non-current liabilities 10,768 9,205 10,868

Net assets 37,402 36,103 36,415

Equity Share capital 13 773 773 773 Share premium 31,037 31,037 31,037 Reserves 375 157 266 Retained profits 5,217 4,136 4,339 Total equity 37,402 36,103 36,415

Refer to note 3 for detailed information on Restatement of comparatives.

Share Share premium Share-based payment Retained Total equity capital account reserve profits Unaudited six months ended 31 July £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at 1 February 2022 773 31,037 266 4,339 36,415 Profit after income tax expense for the period - - - 878 878 Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax - - - - - Total comprehensive income for the period - - - 878 878 Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners: Share-based payments - - 109 - 109 Balance at 31 July 2022 773 31,037 375 5,217 37,402

Share Share premium Share-based payment Retained Total equity capital account reserve  profits Audited year ended 31 January £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at 1 February 2021 773 31,037 75 1,262 33,147 Profit after income tax expense for the period - - - 3,077 3,077 Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax - - - - - Total comprehensive income for the period - - - 3,077 3,077 Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners: Share-based payments - - 191 - 191 Balance at 31 January 2022 773 31,037 266 4,339 36,415

Unaudited six months ended 31 July Audited year ended 31 January Note 2022 Restated 2021 2022 £'000 £'000 £'000 Cash flows from operating activities Profit before income tax expense for the period 1,129 3,737 4,022 Adjustments for: Depreciation and amortisation 1,672 1,457 2,922 Share-based payments 109 82 191 Net movement in provisions 13 7 12 Interest received (26) (19) (14) Interest and other finance costs 212 196 394 3,109 5,460 7,527 Change in operating assets and liabilities: (Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables (551) 149 81 (Increase) in inventories (1,291) (3,243) (3,792) Decrease/(increase) in prepayments 71 (79) (300) Increase in trade and other payables 1,227 3,697 1,626 (Decrease) in derivative liabilities (1) -  -  2,564 5,984 5,142 Interest received 26 19 14 Interest and other finance costs (212) (210) (393) Net cash from operating activities 2,378 5,793 4,763

Cash flows from investing activities Payments for property, plant and equipment 10 (841) (342) (1,202) Payments for intangibles 9 (158) (170) (327) Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment -  -  5 Net cash used in investing activities (999) (512) (1,524)

Cash flows from financing activities Repayment of lease liabilities (899) (693) (1,631) Net cash used in financing activities (899) (693) (1,631)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 480 4,588 1,608 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial period 16,604 14,996 14,996 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial period 17,084 19,584 16,604

Notes to the consolidated financial statements Note 1. General information The financial statements cover Angling Direct PLC as a Group consisting of Angling Direct PLC ('Company' or 'parent entity') and the entities it controlled at the end of, or during, the half-year (collectively referred to in these financial statements as the 'Group'). The financial statements are presented in British Pound Sterling ('GBP'), which is Angling Direct PLC's functional and presentation currency.

Angling Direct PLC is a public limited company incorporated under the Companies Act 2006, listed on the AIM (Alternative Investment Market), a sub-market of the London Stock Exchange. The Company is incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The registered number of the Company is 05151321. Its registered office and principal place of business is:

2d Wendover Road, Rackheath Industrial Estate Rackheath Norwich Norfolk NR13 6LH

The principal activity of the Group is the sale of fishing tackle through its websites and stores. The Group's business model is designed to generate growth by providing excellent customer service, expert advice and ensuring product lines include a complete range of premium equipment. Customers range from the casual hobbyist through to the professional angler.

The financial statements were authorised for issue, in accordance with a resolution of Directors, on 11 October 2022. The Directors have the power to amend and reissue the financial statements.

Note 2. Significant accounting policies These financial statements for the interim half-year reporting period ended 31 July 2022 have been prepared in accordance with the AIM Rules for Companies, International Accounting Standard IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' and the Companies Act for for-profit oriented entities.

These interim financial statements do not include all the notes of the type normally included in annual financial statements. Accordingly, these financial statements are to be read in conjunction with the annual report for the year ended 31 January 2022 and any public announcements made by the Company during the interim reporting period.

The interim consolidated financial information has been prepared on a going-concern basis.

The principal accounting policies adopted are consistent with those set out on pages 74 to 102 of the consolidated financial statements of Angling Direct PLC for the year ending 31 January 2022, except for taxation which has been accounted for as described in note 8.

New or amended Accounting Standards and Interpretations adopted The Group has adopted all of the new or amended Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board that are mandatory for the current reporting period. There was no impact on the adoption of these new or amended Accounting Standards and Interpretations

Any new or amended Accounting Standards or Interpretations that are not yet mandatory have not been early adopted.

Note 3. Restatement of comparatives Restatement of right-of-use asset lease expiry dates. The Group has restated three right-of-use asset land and building lease expiry dates. The restatement to comparatives of the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the half-year ended 31 July 2021 and the statement of financial position as at 31 July 2021 and as 1 February 2021 is as follows:

● Reduction in lease liabilities of £961,000 (current £nil and non-current £961,000) (discounted based on the weighted average incremental borrowing rate of 4%) as at 31 July 2021 (1 February 2021: £942,000; current £nil and non-current £942,000); ● Right-of-use assets of £908,000 were reduced as at 31 July 2021 (1 February 2021: £903,000); ● Additional depreciation of £5,000 was recognised against the right-of-use assets as at 31 July 2021 (1 February 2021: £11,000); ● A reduction in interest payments of £19,000 was recognised against the lease liabilities as at 31 January 2021 (1 February 2021 £36,000); ● Restoration provision was increased by £5,000 as at 31 July 2021 (1 February 2021: £5,000); ● Deferred tax liability increased by £5,000 as at 31 July 2021 (1 February 2021: £5,000) as a result of the net tax effect on right-of-use assets and lease liabilities); ● The overall impact on total equity as at 31 July 2021 was an increase of £43,000. This comprises an increase of £14,000 in the half-year 31 July 2021 and £29,000 in the period to 31 January 2021 (1 February 2021: overall impact on total equity of £29,000).

Statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income Unaudited six months ended 31 July 2021 2021 £'000 £'000 £'000 Extract Reported Adjustment Restated Expenses Administrative expenses (9,608) (5) (9,613) Finance costs (215) 19 (196) Profit before income tax expense 3,723 14 3,737 Income tax expense (863) - (863) Profit after income tax expense for the period attributable to the owners of Angling Direct PLC 2,860 14 2,874 Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax - - - Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to the owners of Angling Direct PLC 2,860 14 2,874

Pence Pence Pence Reported Adjustment Restated Basic earnings per share 3.70 0.02 3.72 Diluted earnings per share 3.65 0.02 3.67

Statements of financial position at the beginning of the earliest comparative period Audited year ended 31 January 2021 £'000 £'000 2021 £'000 Extract Reported Adjustment Restated Non-current assets Right-of-use assets 10,910 (903) 10,007 Total non-current assets 23,180 (903) 22,277 Total assets less current liabilities 43,426 (903) 42,523 Non-current liabilities Lease liabilities 9,773 (942) 8,831 Restoration provision 277 5 282 Deferred tax 258 5 263 Total non-current liabilities 10,308 (932) 9,376 Net assets 33,118 29 33,147 Equity Retained profits 1,233 29 1,262 Total equity 33,118 29 33,147

Statements of financial position at the end of the earliest comparative period Unaudited six months ended 31 July 2021 2021 £'000 £'000 £'000 Extract Reported Adjustment Restated Non-current assets Right-of-use assets 10,385 (908) 9,477 Total non-current assets 22,434 (908) 21,526 Total assets less current liabilities 46,216 (908) 45,308 Non-current liabilities Lease liabilities 9,249 (961) 8,288 Restoration provision 289 5 294 Deferred tax 618 5 623 Total non-current liabilities 10,156 (951) 9,205 Net assets 36,060 43 36,103 Equity Retained profits 4,093 43 4,136 Total equity 36,060 43 36,103

Note 4. Segmental reporting Segmental information is presented in respect of the Group's operating segments, based on the Group's management and internal reporting structure, and monitored by the Group's Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM).

Segment results, assets and liabilities include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis. Unallocated items comprise mainly own brand stock in transit from the manufacturers, group cash and cash equivalents, taxation related assets and liabilities, centralised support functions salary and premises costs, and government grant income.

Geographical segments The business operated predominantly in the UK. As at 31 July 2022, it has three native language web sites for Germany, France and the Netherlands. In accordance with IFRS 8 'Operating segments' for the periods up to 31 January 2022 no segmental results are presented for trade with European customers as these are not reported separately for management purposes and are not considered material for separate disclosure, save for disaggregation of revenue in note 5. Trading through the subsidiary in the Netherlands commenced on 1 March 2022 and therefore this has been presented as a separate segment, Europe Online, from 1 March 2022.

Operating segments In the periods to 31 January 2022, the Group is split into two operating segments (Stores and Online) and a centralised support function (Head Office) for business segment analysis. In identifying these operating segments, management follows the route to market for the generation of the customer order for its products. Due to the commencement of trading through the subsidiary in the Netherlands, management has made a judgement that there are now three operating segments (Stores, UK Online and Europe Online) from 1 February 2022.

Each of these operating segments is managed separately as each segment requires different specialisms, marketing approaches and resources. Head Office includes costs relating to the employees, property and other overhead costs associated with the centralised support functions.

The CODM reviews EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) pre IFRS 16. The accounting policies adopted for internal reporting to the CODM are consistent with those adopted in the financial statements, save for IFRS 16. A full reconciliation of pre IFRS 16 EBITDA to post IFRS 16 EBITDA performance is provided to the CODM.

The information reported to the CODM is on a monthly basis. At 31 July 2022, £22,952,000 of non-current assets are located in the UK (31 July 2021 £21,526,000) and £1,101,000 of non-current assets are located in the Netherlands (31 July 2021 £nil).

Operating segment information

Stores UK Online Europe Online Head Office Total 31 July 2022 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Revenue 21,897 15,275 1,726 - 38,898 Profit/(loss) before income tax 2,577 1,620 (707) (2,361) 1,129 EBITDA post IFRS 16 3,859 1,923 (570) (2,212) 3,000 Total assets 25,198 7,588 4,163 23,319 60,268 Total liabilities (12,726) (4,412) (1,116) (4,612) (22,866)

EBITDA Reconciliation Profit/(loss) before income tax 2,577 1,620 (707) (2,361) 1,129 Less: Interest income - - - (26) (26) Add: Interest expense 175 23 19 8 225 Add: Depreciation and amortisation 1,107 280 118 167 1,672 EBITDA post IFRS 16 3,859 1,923 (570) (2,212) 3,000 Less: Costs relating to IFRS 16 lease liabilities (882) (84) (107) (75) (1,148) EBITDA pre IFRS 16 2,977 1,839 (677) (2,287) 1,852

Stores Online Head office Total 31 July 2021 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Revenue 19,938 18,466 - 38,404 Profit/(loss) before income tax 2,846 2,809 (1,918) 3,737 EBITDA post IFRS 16 3,964 3,140 (1,733) 5,371 Total assets 22,761 8,418 26,453 57,632 Total liabilities (12,298) (6,061) (3,170) (21,529)

EBITDA Reconciliation Profit/(loss) before income tax 2,846 2,809 (1,918) 3,737 Less: Interest income - - (19) (19) Add: Interest expense 157 25 14 196 Add: Depreciation and amortisation 961 306 190 1,457 EBITDA post IFRS 16 3,964 3,140 (1,733) 5,371 Less: Costs relating to IFRS 16 lease liabilities (816) (79) (48) (943) EBITDA pre IFRS 16 3,148 3,061 (1,781) 4,428

Note 5. Revenue from contracts with customers Disaggregation of revenue The disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers is as follows: Unaudited six months ended 31 July Audited year ended 31 January 2022 Restated 2021 2022 £'000 £'000 £'000 Route to market Retail store sales 21,897 19,938 38,665 E-commerce 17,001 18,466 33,809 38,898 38,404 72,474 Geographical regions United Kingdom 37,172 37,144 69,818 Germany, France and Netherlands 1,602 1,033 2,242 Other countries 124 227 414 38,898 38,404 72,474 Timing of revenue recognition Goods transferred at a point in time 38,898 38,404 72,474

Note 6. Other income Unaudited six months ended 31 July Audited year ended 31 January 2022 Restated 2021 2022 £'000 £'000 £'000 Net foreign exchange gain/(loss) 8 -  (18) Government grants -  932 932 Insurance recoveries 243 -  -  Other income 17 -  -  Other income 268 932 914

As a result of the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of government programmes were put into place to support businesses and consumers. Examples of such initiatives include the UK's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. In accounting for the impacts of these measures, the Group has applied IAS 20: 'Government Grants'.

During the six months to 31 July 2022, the Group recognised an amount totalling £nil (31 July 2021 and 31 January 2022: £216,000) receivable under the UK Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and an amount totalling £nil (31 July 2021 and 31 January 2022: £716,000) receivable under the UK Government's Restart Grant Scheme.

Note 7. EBITDA reconciliation (earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation) The Directors believe that adjusted profit provides additional useful information for shareholders on performance. This is used for internal performance analysis. This measure is not defined by IFRS and is not intended to be a substitute for, or superior to, IFRS measurements of profit. The following table is provided to show the comparative earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation ('EBITDA') after adjusting for costs relating to IFRS 16 lease liabilities.

Unaudited six months ended Unaudited six months ended Audited year ended 31 July 2022 31 July Restated 2021 31 January 2022 £'000 £'000 £'000 EBITDA reconciliation Profit before income tax expense post IFRS 16 1,129 3,737 4,022 Less: Interest income (26) (19) (14) Add: Interest expense 225 196 406 Add: Depreciation and amortisation 1,672 1,457 2,922 EBITDA post IFRS 16 3,000 5,371 7,336 Less: costs relating to IFRS 16 lease liabilities (1,148) (943) (2,135) EBITDA pre IFRS 16 1,852 4,428 5,201

Note 8. Income tax expense The tax charge for the six months ended 31 July 2022 is recognised based on management's estimate of the weighted average annual effective tax rate expected for the full financial year, adjusted for the tax impact of any discrete items arising in the period. Deferred tax balances are calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset realised.

Note 9. Intangibles Unaudited six months ended 31 July Audited year ended 31 January 2022 Restated 2021 2022 £'000 £'000 £'000 Non-current assets Goodwill - at cost 5,802 5,802 5,802 Less: Impairment (182) (182) (182) 5,620 5,620 5,620 Software - at cost 1,589 1,274 1,431 Less: Accumulated amortisation (1,085) (676) (875) 504 598 556 6,124 6,218 6,176

Reconciliations Reconciliations of the written down values at the beginning and end of the current financial period are set out below: Goodwill Software Total Unaudited six months ended 31 July £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at 1 February 2022 5,620 556 6,176 Additions - 158 158 Amortisation expense - (210) (210) Balance at 31 July 2022 5,620 504 6,124

Note 10. Property, plant and equipment Unaudited six months ended 31 July Audited year ended 31 January 2022 Restated 2021 2022 £'000 £'000 £'000 Non-current assets Land and buildings improvements - at cost 1,002 1,002 1,002 Less: Accumulated depreciation (310) (295) (303) 692 707 699 Plant and equipment - at cost 8,253 6,660 7,640 Less: Accumulated depreciation (2,370) (2,041) (1,974) 5,883 4,619 5,666 Motor vehicles - at cost 15 15 15 Less: Accumulated depreciation (12) (9) (10) 3 6 5 Computer equipment - at cost 1,263 1,326 1,118 Less: Accumulated depreciation (683) (827) (580) 580 499 538 7,158 5,831 6,908

Reconciliations Reconciliations of the written down values at the beginning and end of the current financial period are set out below: Land and buildings Plant and Motor Computer improvements equipment vehicles equipment Total Unaudited six months ended 31 July £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at 1 February 2022 699 5,666 5 538 6,908 Additions - 613 - 145 758 Depreciation expense (7) (396) (2) (103) (508) Balance at 31 July 2022 692 5,883 3 580 7,158

Note 11. Right-of-use assets Unaudited six months ended 31 July Audited year ended 31 January 2022 Restated 2021 2022 £'000 £'000 £'000 Non-current assets Land and buildings - right-of-use 17,630 14,348 16,979 Less: Accumulated depreciation (6,998) (5,326) (6,080) 10,632 9,022 10,899 Plant and equipment - right-of-use 80 575 80 Less: Accumulated depreciation (53) (194) (49) 27 381 31 Motor vehicles - right-of-use 372 269 326 Less: Accumulated depreciation (277) (218) (248) 95 51 78 Computer equipment - right-of-use 59 59 59 Less: Accumulated depreciation (42) (36) (39) 17 23 20 10,771 9,477 11,028

Reconciliations Reconciliations of the written down values at the beginning and end of the current financial period are set out below: Land and Plant and Motor Computer buildings equipment vehicles equipment Total Unaudited six months ended 31 July £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at 1 February 2022 10,899 31 78 20 11,028 Additions 651 - 46 - 697 Depreciation expense (918) (4) (29) (3) (954) Balance at 31 July 2022 10,632 27 95 17 10,771

Note 12. Trade and other payables Unaudited six months ended 31 July Audited year ended 31 January 2022 Restated 2021 2022 £'000 £'000 £'000 Current liabilities Trade payables 6,011 6,334 4,844 Accrued expenses 1,286 1,894 2,000 Refund liabilities 58 96 42 Social security and other taxes 1,158 1,097 711 Other payables 1,310 979 1,083 9,823 10,400 8,680

Note 13. Share capital Unaudited six months ended 31 July 2022 Restated 2021 2022 Restated 2021 Shares Shares £'000 £'000 Ordinary shares of £0.01 each - fully paid 77,267,304 77,267,304 773 773

Note 14. Dividends There were no dividends paid, recommended or declared during the current or previous financial period.

Note 15. Contingent liabilities The Group had no material contingent liabilities as at 31 July 2022, 31 January 2022 and 31 July 2021.

Note 16. Earnings per share Unaudited six months ended 31 July Unaudited six months ended 31 July Restated Audited year ended 31January 2022 2021 2022 £'000 £'000 £'000 Profit after income tax attributable to the owners of Angling Direct PLC 878 2,874 3,077

Number Number Number Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating basic earnings per share 77,267,304 77,267,304 77,267,304 Adjustments for calculation of diluted earnings per share:   Options over ordinary shares 962,010 970,610 1,000,912 Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share 78,229,314 78,237,914 78,268,216

Pence Pence Pence Basic earnings per share 1.14 3.72 3.98 Diluted earnings per share 1.12 3.67 3.93

 

END

 

 

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