Final Results
05 November 2007
The Core Business: Results - Year ended 31 May 2007
The Core Business PLC, (the 'Company') the innovative beauty brand business,
today announces its results for the year to 31 May 2007.
Highlights:
· Increased business coming from distribution and a move towards higher value
brand consultancy assignments
· Strategic acquisition of Amirose International Limited, a distribution
company, completed post year end
· Exclusive 5 year UK distribution agreement signed with Accessoire Beauté
Cosmétique, the global licensee for Elite Models Fashion beauty products
· Launched Elite Models Fashion beauty accessories in 90 Superdrug stores in
March 2007 with subsequent roll out to 350 stores post year end.
· Launched Elite Models Fashion colour cosmetics in 200 Superdrug stores in
September 2007 with the development work for this launch taking place in the
reporting year.
· Completed the initial phases of a strategic consultancy project with Boots.
· Provided strategic guidance to Cosnova GmbH, owners of essence, the second
largest colour cosmetics brand in the German market.
Commenting on the results and outlook, Mark Watson-Mitchell, Chairman, said:
The year to 31 May 2007 saw some significant moves by the Company.
Licensing of personal care brands is a strategic objective of the Company. Early
on in the year we secured an agreement with Ministry of Sound to develop
personal care products under licence but this was terminated. The subsequent
withdrawal from that contract was costly in time and effort. It is now behind
us.
However, as we switched our focus onto our distribution model we have secured
some very interesting new lines of business.
Key to that has been our agreement with Accessoire Beauté Cosmétique, to
distribute in the UK, the Elite Models Fashion beauty products. In less than
three months from signing the agreement we listed the Elite Models Fashion
beauty accessories into Superdrug. Initially trialled in March 2007 in 90 stores
its early success has led to a roll out in 350 stores. The subsequent retail
sales have been impressive. We also launched Elite Models Fashion colour
cosmetics in 200 Superdrug stores in September 2007. Significant development
work for that launch took place in the reporting year and we have seen the
revenue benefiting the business from August 2007 onwards. We intend to extend
our offer range with the Elite Models Fashion brand and are currently working
with Accessoire Beauté Cosmétique to develop new ranges.
The most impactful component of our advance since the year end was the
acquisition in July 2007 of Amirose International, a very successful
distribution company whose own product lines and customer listings will be
boosted by a significant contribution from The Core Business management team.
Amirose has already "bedded down" inside the Group fold and we are positive that
it will really boost the Company's overall offer and distribution abilities.
We are now greatly encouraged by the performance of the Company and look forward
to generating significantly increased sales during the current year.
We thank all of our management, staff, advisors and shareholders for their
support."
Stirling Murray, Chief Executive added:
"The Core Business is now better placed to exploit fully the many trading
opportunities we have. The reporting year was a difficult period where much
effort and investment was expended on a licensing agreement that failed to
materialise. We focused very quickly in the second half of the reporting year on
distributing brands and had an early success with Elite Models Fashion beauty
accessories. We believe that along with Elite Models Fashion colour cosmetics
launched in September 2007 these products will form a powerful foundation for
our distribution business.
The acquisition of Amirose after post year end was of major strategic
significance and will provide the company with access to low cost manufacturing,
an increased network of retail contacts and the opportunity to quickly develop
new brand concepts. Much of the work to complete this acquisition took place in
the reporting year.
We are very excited by the prospects for the coming financial year. Following
its acquisition we are delighted to be working with the team at Amirose, and
feel that our combined expertise will allow us to advance quickly towards our
strategic objective of building a total beauty management group."
For further information, please contact:
The Core Business PLC www.thecorebusiness.co.uk
Stirling Murray, Chief Executive 020 7483 4300
Alastair Kennedy, Finance Director 020 7483 4300
Blomfield Corporate Finance Ltd
Nick Harriss 020 7512 0191
Notes to Editors
The Core Business was established in May 2004 by Stirling Murray to create,
develop, launch and distribute personal care and beauty brands. It also provides
consultancy and brand management services. The Company was listed on AIM in
March 2006 under the ticker `CORE.'
Financial results
BALANCE SHEET
2007 2006
£ £
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 1,507 740
Financial assets 21,706 10,578
_______ _______
23,213 11,318
Current Assets
Inventories 5,510 -
Trade receivables 52,395 19,156
Other current assets 156,886 26,815
Cash and cash equivalents 79,576 401,085
_______ _______
294,367 447,056
_______ _______
Total assets 317,580 458,374
======= =======
Equity and liabilities
Equity attributable to the
Company's equity holders
Share capital 211,982 201,383
Share premium 411,913 337,719
Retained earnings (539,267) (132,245)
_______ _______
84,628 406,857
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 232,952 51,517
_______ _______
Total liabilities 232,952 51,517
======= =======
Total equity and liabilities 317,580 458,374
======= =======
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2007
2007 2006
Notes £ £
Turnover
Consultancy fees 164,957 122,157
Sale of goods 92,101 -
_______ _______
Total turnover 257,058 122,157
Cost of goods sold (58,137) -
_______ _______
Gross margin 198,921 122,157
Overhead costs
Staff costs (227,793) (60,680)
Depreciation (1,196) (541)
Other operating costs (384,854) (195,540)
_______ _______
Loss from operations (414,922) (134,604)
Interest income 11,210 2,964
Impairment of investment in - (1,714)
associate company
Loss before tax (403,712) (133,354)
Income tax expense (3,310) 12,190
_______ _______
Loss for the year (407,022) (121,164)
_______ _______
Loss per share 2
Basic (0.97 pence) (0.66 pence)
Diluted (0.97 pence) (0.66 pence)
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2007
Share Share Retained
Capital Premium Earnings Total
£ £ £ £
Balance at 1 June 2005 100 - 5,224 5,324
Changes in equity for the
year to 31 May 2006
Loss for the year - - (121,164) (121,164)
______________________________________
Total recognised income and
expense for the year - - (121,164) (121,164)
Credit on issue of warrants - - 5,000 5,000
Interim dividends paid(note 14) - - (21,305) (21,305)
Issue of share capital 201,283 447,822 - 649,105
Issue and start up costs - (110,103) - (110,103)
______________________________________
Balance as at 31 May 2006 201,383 337,719 (132,245) 406,857
Changes in equity for the
year to 31 May 2007
Loss for the year - - (407,022) (407,022)
______________________________________
Total recognised income and
expense for the year - - (407,022) (407,022)
Issue of share capital 10,599 74,194 - 84,793
______________________________________
Balance as at 31 May 2007 211,982 411,913 (539,267) 84,628
======================================
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
TO 31 MAY 2007
2007 2006
Notes £ £
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operating
activities (404,421) (102,777)
Tax paid - (16,749)
________ ________
(404,421) (119,526)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and
equipment (1,963) (595)
Investment in financial asset (11,128) (10,578)
Interest received 11,210 2,964
________ ________
Net cash used in investing activities (1,881) (8,209)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net proceeds on issues of share 84,793 539,002
Dividends paid - (21,305)
________ ________
Net cash from financing activities 84,793 517,697
Net (decrease)/ increase in cash (321,509) 389,962
and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of year 401,085 11,123
________ ________
Cash and cash equivalents at end
of year 79,576 401,085
======== ========
Bank balances and cash 79,576 401,085
======== ========
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
1 Summary of significant accounting policies
Revenue recognition
Revenue comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable
for the sale of goods and services provided in the ordinary course of the
Company's activities. Revenue derived from the Company's principal
activities (which is shown exclusive of applicable sales taxes, where
applicable) is recognised as follows:
Consultancy fees are recognised as income in the accounting period in which
the consultancy is provided.
Revenue from sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and
rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to the buyer, usually on
despatch of the goods.
Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal
outstanding and at the interest rate applicable.
Inventories
Inventories held for resale is valued at the lower of cost and net
realisable value.
2. Loss per share
Loss 2007 2006
£ £
Loss for the purpose of basic loss per share (407,022) (121,164)
Loss for the purpose of diluted loss per share (407,022) (121,164)
Number of shares 2007 2006
Weighted average number of ordinary shares
- for the purposes of basic loss per share 42,065,406 18,392,429
- for the purposes of diluted loss per share 42,065,406 18,392,429
The dilutive effect of unexercised share warrants issued during the last two
years have been ignored as the average market value of ordinary shares
during those years did not exceed the exercise price of the warrants issued.
3. Post balance sheet event
The following acquisition took place after the balance sheet date and before
the approval of these financial statements:
Name of business Principal Date of Proportion Cost of
acquired activity acquisition of shares acquisition
acquired
Amirose International Limited Distribution 27 July 2007 100% £3,164,000
Cost of acquisition: £
Equity 1,350,000
Loan notes 850,000
Cash 694,000
Directly attributable acquisition costs 270,000
__________
Total 3,164,000
The equity consideration was satisfied by The Core Business Plc issuing 135
million ordinary shares at a price of 1 penny on 27 July 2007. The issue
price consists of the nominal value of the ordinary shares of 0.5 pence and
a share premium of 0.5 pence. Warrants were issued to subscribers on a ratio
of 1 warrant for every 2 shares subscribed for. The exercise price of the
warrants is 1 penny per ordinary share exercisable at any time up to and
including the fifth anniversary of issue.
Directly attributable acquisition costs are those charged by the Company's
advisers in performing due diligence activities and producing the
acquisition documents.
The total consideration payable for Amirose International Limited is
£2,894,000 and comprises £2,600,000 paid on acquisition subject to a £1 for
£1 increase or reduction if the net assets value of Amirose following a
verification exercise at completion was greater or less than £1,234,000.
Subject to completion of the fair value and verification exercise, net
assets acquired at 27 July 2007 were:
Book value at Fair value at
acquisition acquisition
£ £
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 9,162 9,162
Current Assets
Inventories 238,971 238,971
Trade receivables 282,187 282,187
Cash and cash equivalents 1,166,353 1,166,353
_________ _________
1,687,511 1,687,511
_________ _________
Total assets 1,696,673 1,696,673
========= =========
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 67,764 67,764
Current tax payable 101,018 101,018
_________ _________
Total liabilities 168,782 168,782
========= =========
Net assets acquired 1,527,891 1,527,891
========= =========
Goodwill on acquisition 1,636,109
_________
Cost of acquisition 3,164,000
=========
Copies of the Company's report and accounts for the year ended 31 May 2007 have
been posted to shareholders.