Half Yearly Report

RNS Number : 6466H

Dunelm Group plc

25 February 2010

 



25 February 2010

Dunelm Group plc

Interim Results Announcement

Dunelm Group plc, the leading out-of-town specialist homewares retailer, announces its Interim Results for the 26 weeks to 2 January 2010.

Financial Highlights

·     Revenues up 26.0% to £254.2m (2008: £201.8m)

·     Like-for-like (LFL) sales up by 15.4% (13.4% underlying*)

·     Gross margin up 200 basis points to 48.0% (2008: 46.0%)

·     Operating profit growth of 75.7% to £45.9m (2008: £26.1m)

·     Profit before taxation up by 69.3% to £46.2m (2008: £27.3m)

·     Earnings per share (fully diluted) up 67.4% to 15.9p (2008: 9.5p)

·     Strong cash generation from operations of £52.5m (2008: £48.1m)

·     Interim dividend increased by 50% to 3.0p per share (2008: 2.0p)

·     Proposed return of capital 21.5p per share

Business Highlights

·     Continued market share growth

·     6 new superstores opened in the period, with 5 further units anticipated this financial year

·     Strong new store pipeline for next financial year, with leases already signed on 7 locations

·     Continuing progress with Dunelm Direct; over 12,000 products now available on-line 

·     Performance for 7 weeks to 20 February:

o  Total sales growth 9.1%

o  LFL sales decline 0.2% (underlying growth 6%)*

o  Gross margin gain 200bps (underlying gain 110bps)*

*Adjusting for calendar effect relating to winter sale timing

Commenting, Will Adderley, Chief Executive of Dunelm, said:

"I am delighted with the results we have produced for the first half of our financial year. I believe they reflect the strength of our 'Simply value for money' proposition, with our industry-leading depth of choice supported by highly competitive prices.

"On top of the excellent trading results, our financial strength and the cash generative nature of our business allow us to return some £43 million to shareholders without restricting our future expansion plans.

"We expect consumer spending to weaken in 2010 compared with 2009 as a result of broader economic and political factors. However, our business is in excellent shape and our customer proposition remains compelling. I am confident that even if LFL growth does prove challenging, overall Dunelm will continue to grow and to become an even stronger business."

For further information please contact:

Dunelm Group plc	0116 2644 356
Will Adderley, Chief Executive
David Stead, Finance Director
Hogarth Partnership	020 7357 9477
John Olsen
Simon Hockridge

Notes to Editors

Dunelm is ranked third amongst the retailers operating in the £11bn UK homewares market. The Group has 100 stores, branded Dunelm Mill, of which 90 are out-of-town superstores. Dunelm employs over 5,000 full and part time staff, the vast majority of whom work in the stores.

Dunelm was founded in 1979 as a market stall business, selling ready made curtains.  The first shop was opened in Leicester in 1984 and over the following years the business developed into a successful chain of high street shops in the Midlands specialising in soft furnishings. The first Dunelm superstore was opened in 1991, leading to the Company's move into the broader homewares market. 

The superstores provide an average of 28,000 sq ft of selling space and offer an extensive range of approximately 20,000 products across a broad spectrum of categories, including bedding, curtains, gifts and seasonal items, cushions, bathroom products, kitchenware, quilts, pillows and rugs. Dunelm also specialises in offering a wide range of fabrics, made to measure curtains and a frequently changing series of special buys.  The directors are passionate about ensuring that all ranges live up to Dunelm's philosophy of offering customers "Simply value for money".

Dunelm's on-line store (www.dunelm-mill.com) has over 12,000 products available.

Dunelm is listed on the London Stock Exchange (DNLM.L).

Chairman's Statement

I am delighted to report an excellent performance by Dunelm over the 26 weeks to 2 January 2010.

Whilst there was some help from weak comparatives and a timing benefit concerning the start of the winter sale, it is still a great achievement for the business to have delivered 15.4% sales growth on a like for like (LFL) basis. Equally importantly, the pace of new store openings increased, with six new stores in the half. With continuing close attention to gross margins and cost management, profit before tax moved ahead by almost 70% to £46.2m.

The business has continued to generate strong positive cash flow, even during a period of faster expansion. The Board has reviewed future cash requirements and has decided to return 21.5p per share, or approximately £43m to shareholders, in addition to an interim dividend increase of 50% to 3.0p. Details of the proposed return of capital are provided in a separate circular to shareholders.

Whilst recognising that the retail environment could become much more challenging in the near term, your Board remains very confident in Dunelm's long-term growth potential.

Geoff Cooper

Chairman

25 February 2010

Chief Executive's Review

Overview

Over the first half of the financial year, we continued to attract new shoppers and to increase market share in LFL stores, as well as expanding our footprint with six new openings. I am convinced that our 'Simply value for money' proposition remains highly attractive, with our industry-leading depth of range supported by highly competitive pricing.

According to research from Verdict, our share of the homewares market stood at 4.6% at the end of 2009, up from 4.0% previously. This makes us the third largest homewares retailer in the UK, even though we have still to achieve nationwide coverage.

Financial performance

During the period, sales grew by 26.0% to £254.2m (FY09: £201.8m). LFL sales grew by 15.4% (against a soft comparative, with 5.6% decline in the equivalent period last year). This year's figures benefitted from the timing of the period end, which included eight days trading from the winter sale, traditionally our biggest trading days, compared with only two last year - we estimate this calendar benefit contributed approximately 2 percentage points to LFL growth over the half year. Nevertheless, our underlying sales performance was undoubtedly strong, driven mainly by increased footfall.

Product gross margin increased by 200 basis points. We saw some small increases in input prices as the effect of sterling weakness fed through the supply chain. However, active management of gross margin enabled us to offset those cost increases whilst maintaining our very competitive pricing position.

Operating costs remained under tight control, increasing by just under 3% in LFL stores. Consequently, the benefit of sales and gross margin growth fed through to an operating profit increase of over 75% (£45.9m compared with £26.1m). The operating margin was 18.0% (FY09: 12.9%).

Financial income and expenditure contained no significant items this year, leaving profit before tax of £46.2m (FY09: £27.3m).

Profit after tax of £32.4m (FY09: £19.2m) reflects the projected full year effective tax rate of 29.8%.

Fully diluted earnings per share were 15.9p, an increase of 67% against last year.

Cash generated from operations was £60.7m (FY09: £52.5m). Stock levels were £9.5m lower than a year ago - this reflects both the timing benefit of the winter sale, and our continuing progress in stock management. Creditors were £7.5m lower as our December payments to suppliers were accounted for in the first half (whereas they fell after the half-year cut-off last time).

We made capital investments of £9.6m during the period (FY09: £11.4m, including acquisition of rights to the Dorma brand), primarily relating to new stores and store refits.

We ended the period with our balance sheet showing cash of £59.2m (FY09: £23.4m net of bank borrowings). Our average daily cleared funds over the half were £40.1m. We are therefore in a very strong financial position with no gearing and available facilities of up to £40.0m.

An interim dividend of 3.0p per ordinary share (FY09: 2.0p) will be paid on 1 April 2010 to shareholders on the register at 12 March 2010.

Return of Capital

Our financial strength and the cash generative nature of our business are such that we are able to announce a proposal to return 21.5p per share (approximately £43m) to shareholders.  This is to be achieved via a bonus issue of B shares, pro rata to existing holdings, which can either be redeemed for 21.5p each or retained to enable the holder to receive a once-only dividend of 21.5p per share. Further details are set out in a separate circular to shareholders.

Risks and Uncertainties

There are a number of potential risks and uncertainties which could have a material impact on the Group's performance over the remaining six months of the financial year and could cause actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results.  The directors do not consider that the principal risks and uncertainties have changed since the publication of the annual report for the year ended 4 July 2009.  A detailed explanation of these key risks can be found on pages 8 and 9 of the annual report which is available at www.dunelm-mill.com.

New Store Openings

During the period we opened new superstores in Londonderry, Norwich, Broadstairs, Bridgend, St Helens and Cheltenham. We therefore ended the period with 100 stores, of which 90 are out of town superstores (this includes the transfer of two stores, Rugby and Wellington, previously treated as high street shops).

We remain committed to our target of achieving full national coverage. Based on the number of stores operated by other large-format out of town retailers as well as our own experience of store clusters in conurbations like Manchester and Birmingham, we are confident that we will be able to expand the chain to at least 150-200 superstores. We will however remain committed to our financial appraisal disciplines and will continue to target discounted cash flow payback of 36 months or better in all new locations.

We now anticipate five more new store openings in the current financial year. We have a further seven units legally committed for next financial year.

Specialist Offer

We continue to introduce exciting developments to our proposition. The arts and crafts offer which was first trialled about a year ago has now been rolled out to over 50 stores. We have overhauled our furniture range and improved presentation in stores; in larger stores we have also introduced a more extensive furniture department. Our new 'Dunelm at Home' proposition offers a delivery and fitting service from over 20 stores, and a free home consultancy service is available from these same stores to enable customers to choose window treatments in their own home. These developments, together with further initiatives under consideration for longer term implementation give significant scope for further sales growth.

We have also continued our programme of store refits, with four stores receiving a major refit during the half year. The cost of a typical refit is now approximately £0.7m, reflecting the investment required not only to improve the overall store environment but also to introduce the new elements of our offer. Sales uplifts in recently refitted stores are encouraging, with an average uplift of approximately 10% measured against comparable non-refitted stores. We intend to accelerate our refit programme and five further refits are planned in the current financial year.

Dunelm Direct (www.dunelm-mill.com)

Our new on-line platform was launched in September and has enabled a continuing increase in business. Over the last few months, the on-line channel has developed to become as important in sales terms as one of our top 20 stores. Further investments are planned to capture increased business by continuing to improve the quality of our on-line offering.

Infrastructure

Our warehouse facility at Stoke has again performed well through our peak trading period. With the continuing growth in store numbers we have now decided to extend our capacity at Stoke and have committed to a new lease which doubles the available warehousing footprint on the site. The new facility will  require capital expenditure of £2.0m to fit out and will be fully operational by August 2010.

We have indicated previously that we will need to move to a new head office building to support future business growth. We have exchanged contracts, conditional on planning permission, for the purchase of land near to our existing offices. We aim to begin construction of new offices this spring and to be in a position to occupy them by summer 2011.

Current Trading and Outlook

During the first seven weeks of the second half, the business continued to grow with a sales increase of 9.1%. On a LFL basis, sales were marginally negative (-0.2%). However, this includes the reversal of the calendar effect relating to winter sale timing, which gave us a benefit in the first half as previously reported; adjusting for this calendar effect, underlying LFL growth was over 6%.

Gross margin gains have continued at a level of +200bps over the most recent seven weeks. However this is flattered by the non-comparable winter sale timing; adjusting for the calendar effect, underlying gross margin growth slowed to +110bps over the seven week period.

We expect consumer spending to weaken in 2010 compared with 2009 as a result of broader economic and political factors. However, our business is in excellent shape and our customer proposition remains compelling. I am confident that, even if LFL growth does prove challenging, overall Dunelm will continue to grow and to become an even stronger business.

Will Adderley

Chief Executive

25 February 2010

Consolidated income statement (unaudited)

For the 26 weeks ended 2 January 2010

		26 weeks	26 weeks	53 weeks
		ended	ended	ended
		2 January	27 December	4 July
		2010	2008	2009
	Notes	£'000	£'000	£'000
Revenue	2	254,211	201,814	423,783
Cost of sales		(132,203)	(109,039)	(229,701)
Gross profit		122,008	92,775	194,082
Operating Costs		(76,150)	(66,681)	(141,487)
Operating profit		45,858	26,094	52,595
Financial income		352	1,877	1,563
Financial expenses		(28)	(686)	(667)
Profit before taxation		46,182	27,285	53,491
Taxation	4	(13,749)	(8,131)	(15,870)
Profit for the period		32,433	19,154	37,621
Earnings per share - basic	5	16.1p	9.6p	18.8p
Earnings per share - diluted	5	15.9p	9.5p	18.6p
Dividend proposed per share	6	3.0p	2.0p	4.0p
Dividend paid per share	6	4.0p	3.5p	5.5p

All activities relate to continuing operations. All profit is attributable to equity shareholders.

Consolidated balance sheet (unaudited)

As at 2 January 2010

	2 January	27 December	4 July
	2010	2008	2009
	£'000	£'000	£'000
Non current assets
Intangible assets	5,714	5,663	5,843
Property, plant and equipment	93,093	79,312	88,771
Deferred tax asset	273	-	-
Total non-current assets	99,080	84,975	94,614
Current assets
Inventories	61,377	70,910	57,895
Trade and other receivables	11,311	12,781	10,739
Cash and cash equivalents	59,231	32,453	24,016
Total current assets	131,919	116,144	92,650
Total assets	230,999	201,119	187,264
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables	(78,369)	(85,855)	(65,550)
Liability for current tax	(14,528)	(8,223)	(8,797)
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings	-	(20)	(18)
Total current liabilities	(92,897)	(94,098)	(74,365)
Non-current liabilities
Deferred tax liability	-	(277)	(127)
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings	-	(9,000)	-
Total non-current liabilities	-	(9,277)	(127)
Total liabilities	(92,897)	(103,375)	(74,492)
Net assets	138,102	97,744	112,772
Equity	2,008	2,008	2,008
Issued capital	345	345	345
Share premium
Retained earnings	135,749	95,391	110,419
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Parent	138,102	97,744	112,772

Consolidated cash flow statement (unaudited)

For the 26 weeks ended 2 January 2010

	26 weeks	26 weeks	53 weeks
	ended	ended	ended
	2 January	27 December	4 July
	2010	2008	2009
	£'000	£'000	£'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before taxation	46,182	27,285	53,491
Adjusted for:
Net financing income	(324)	(1,191)	(896)
Depreciation and amortization	5,426	5,644	10,555
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment	-	-	26
Operating cash flows before movement in working capital	51,284	31,738	63,176
(Increase)/decrease in inventories	(3,482)	(10,200)	2,815
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables	(572)	(1,145)	897
Increase in trade and other payables	12,826	31,391	11,132
Net movement in working capital	8,772	20,046	14,844
Share based payment expense	759	313	599
Foreign exchange gains/(losses)	(93)	440	323
Cash flows from operating activities	60,722	52,537	78,942
Interest paid	(34)	(793)	(821)
Interest received	231	442	523
Tax paid	(8,399)	(4,100)	(11,200)
Net cash generated from operating activities	52,520	48,086	67,444
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment	-	-	1
Acquisition of property plant and equipment	(8,821)	(6,098)	(19,647)
Acquisition of intangible assets	(798)	(5,268)	(6,295)
Net cash utilised in investing activities	(9,619)	(11,366)	(25,941)
Cash flows from financing activities
Purchase of treasury shares	-	(186)	(186)
Proceeds from issue of treasury shares	126	64	124
Net repayment of bank loan	-	(1,000)	(10,000)
Dividends paid	(8,008)	(6,994)	(10,993)
Net cash utilised in financing activities	(7,882)	(8,116)	(21,055)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	35,019	28,604	20,448
Foreign exchange revaluations	214	996	717
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	23,998	2,833	2,833
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	59,231	32,433	23,998

Statement of changes in equity (unaudited)

For the 26 weeks ended 2 January 2010

	Share	Share	Retained	Total
	capital	premium	earnings	equity
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
As at 28 June 2008	2,008	345	83,036	85,389
Profit for the period	-	-	19,154	19,154
Purchase of treasury shares	-	-	(186)	(186)
Treasury shares reissued in respect of share option schemes	-	-	64	64
Share based payments	-	-	313	313
Deferred tax on share based payments	-	-	4	4
Dividends	-	-	(6,994)	(6,994)
As at 27 December 2008	2,008	345	95,391	97,744
Profit for the period	-	-	18,467	18,467
Treasury shares reissued in respect of share option schemes	-	-	59	59
Share based payments	-	-	286	286
Deferred tax on share based payments	-	-	135	135
Current corporation tax on share options exercised	-	-	80	80
Dividends	-	-	(3,999)	(3,999)
As at 4 July 2009	2,008	345	110,419	112,772
Profit for the period	-	-	32,433	32,433
Treasury shares reissued in respect of share option schemes	-	-	126	126
Share based payments	-	-	759	759
Deferred tax on share based payments	-	-	20	20
Dividends	-	-	(8,008)	(8,008)
As at 2 January 2010	2,008	345	135,749	138,102

Notes to the interim results

1. Basis of preparation

The condensed financial statements have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards and in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34 Interim Financial Reporting.

The presentation of the condensed financial statements requires the Directors to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experiences and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Actual results may differ from these estimates.

2. Accounting policies

The condensed financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for share based payments which are stated at their fair value.

The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the year ended 4 July 2009, as described in those financial statements.

3. Segmental reporting

The Group has only one class of business, retail, and operates entirely in the UK market.

4. Taxation

The taxation charge for the interim period has been calculated on the basis of the estimated effective tax rate for the full year of 29.8% (26 weeks ended 27 December 2008: 29.8%)

5.  Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit for the period attributable to equity shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.

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. These represent share options granted to employees where the exercise price is less than the average market price of the Company's ordinary shares during the period.

Weighted average numbers of shares:

	26 weeks	26 weeks	53 weeks
	ended	ended	ended
	2 January	27 December	4 July
	2010	2008	2009
	000	000	000
Weighted average number of shares in issue during the period	201,039	199,841	199,874
Impact of share options	3,319	1,894	2,559
Number of shares for diluted earnings per share	204,358	201,735	202,433

6. Dividends

	26 weeks	26 weeks	53 weeks
	ended	ended	ended
	2 January	27 December	4 July
	2010	2008	2009
	£'000	£'000	£'000
Final for the period ended 28 June 2008 - paid 3.5p	-	(6,994)	(6,994)
Interim for the period ended 4 July 2009 - paid 2.0p	-	-	(3,999)
Final for the period ended 4 July 2009 - paid 4.0p	(8,008)	-	-
	(8,008)	(6,994)	(10,993)

The Directors are proposing an interim dividend of 3.0p per ordinary share for the period ended 2 January 2010 which equates to £6.0m. The dividend will be paid on 1 April 2010 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 12 March 2010.

7. Announcement

The interim report was approved by the Board on 25 February 2010 and copies are available from the registered office at Fosse Way, Syston, Leicester, LE7 1NF or from the website at www.dunelm-mill.co.uk

Responsibility statement of the Directors in respect of the half-yearly financial report

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

·     the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU

·     the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by:

(a) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and

(b) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.

By order of the Board

Will Adderley                                   David Stead

Chief Executive                               Finance Director

25 February 2010                             25 February  2010

 

END

 

 

IR LFFELFTISFII