B&M Retail's Prelimary Results Show 0.7% Rise in UK LFL Sales

B&M European Value Retail S.A., the UK’s leading variety goods value retailer, has today announced its Preliminary Results for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019.

HIGHLIGHTS
● Group revenues increased by 17.1% to £3,486.3m (2018: £2,976.3m), 17.0% at constant currency for the 52 week comparable period to the previous year
● UK B&M store fascia revenue growth of 8.7%, including Like-for-Like revenue growth of 0.7% for the year, including 5.8% in the fourth quarter, unadjusted for Easter timing (+6.7% after Easter adjustment)
● Group profit before tax increased by 8.7% to £249.4m for the 52 week period (2018: £229.3m), diluted earnings per share 20.5p (2018:18.6p) 
● UK B&M store fascia Adjusted EBITDA growth of 13.5% to £297.0m (2018: £261.7m), with a 45bps increase in margin to 10.6% of revenue 
● Important progress clearing out slow-moving inventory in both Germany and France with more work to be done to implement the direct sourcing model in those markets
● Cash generated from operations of £259.4m for the 52 week period (2018: £242.0m), year-end net debt of £621.6m and net debt to EBITDA of 1.99x, which equates to 1.75x excluding the capital expenditure incurred to date on the Bedford distribution centre (2018: 1.72x) 
● Recommended final dividend increased to 4.9p per share (FY18: 4.8p) to be paid on 2 August 2019, bringing full year ordinary dividend to 7.6p per share, an increase of 5.7%
● 44 net new B&M UK fascia stores opened in the period (54 gross) and at least a further 50 gross new stores planned for this financial year, benefiting from plentiful availability of attractive new store opportunities 
● New 1m sq ft distribution centre under construction in Bedford (to support UK store expansion needs for foreseeable future) on schedule for January 2020 commissioning, with rental and commissioning costs of c.£12m being incurred in FY20 before operational efficiencies are realised in FY21
● Pleasing start to Q1 with mid-single digit Like-for-Like in B&M UK fascia stores.

More details relating to the results can be found in the corporate presentation of the preliminary results, available here.

Simon Arora, Chief Executive, said,
“B&M has again delivered strong results against the challenging backdrop of continued structural change in our industry, rising costs and uncertain times for consumers, demonstrating that its value credentials remain as resonant as ever with customers, whether they need a bargain or just enjoy one.

We have made important progress in establishing platforms for further long term expansion in both Germany and France although there is much work to be done to implement the disruptive, value-led B&M model in these large new markets.

We enter the new financial year with renewed trading momentum particularly in the UK, a high quality new store expansion programme in place, and investing in our new infrastructure to support future growth. I’m confident B&M is well-positioned to deliver further strong progress in the current year and beyond.”

Source : Insight DIY Team and B&M Retail

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