XXL ASA delivered a growth of 8 per cent for the second quarter 2017 under demanding spring conditions but sales responded well with the arrival of summer conditions late in the quarter. Cost focus throughout the organization compensated for a negative like-for-like growth. EBITDA for the Group amounted to NOK 211 million in the quarter with a corresponding margin of 10.3 per cent, where the Finnish operation delivered a solid improvement compared to last year. XXL is currently establishing operations in Austria and the organization is well on track for its first store opening to come in the third quarter 2017. Group EBITDA without Austrian cost was NOK 218 million.
Highlights Q2 2017
- Total revenues of NOK 2 054 million (NOK 1 898 million), up 8 per cent
- Late spring season – Good start of summer
- Margins under pressure in Sweden – Still good progression in Finland
- Four new store openings
- Austria well on track for launch in Q3 2017
Outlook
XXL has signed 11 new lease agreements for store openings for 2017 where of 1 in Norway, 4 in Sweden, 4 in Finland and 2 in Austria. This includes 5 stores that are opened by the end of Q2 2017.
Regarding Austria both the stores are in Vienna, giving synergies to marketing cost. The first store opening will be late Q3 2017. In addition, XXL will launch an E-commerce offering to achieve omni-channel functionality. A local team of at least five employees will be recruited for buying and support to establish XXL in the new area. This organization will be scaled for the whole DACH-region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland). CAPEX per store will be in the range of EUR 1.7 -1.9 million and an average pay-back per store of 4-5 years including net working capital. The average pay-back time is after being some time in the market, following an establishing period. Average sale per store is expected to be around EUR 12 million, while the gross margin and EBITDA-profile will be as in Sweden over time when excluding for the build up of a centralized organization. Hence, the start-up in Austria will have higher costs than the launch in Sweden, Finland and Denmark. XXL expects between 15-20 stores in total in the Austrian market.
To continue the growth strategy, within both stores and E-commerce, and in new markets as well as existing markets, XXL will invest in infrastructure, IT and training facilities. These investments are expected to be in the range of NOK 70-90 million for 2017. In addition XXL has refurbished two stores with CAPEX in the range of two new stores.
The Group maintains the following long term objectives (on full year basis):
- Like-for-like growth of mid-single digits over time including E-commerce
- Gross margins: In Norway at low 40’s, high 30’s in Sweden and between mid and high 30’s in Finland. Due to the demanding macro in Finland the lift to high 30’s may take longer time than in Sweden
- EBITDA-margins: In Norway at low 20’s, in Sweden low double digits and in Finland high single digits. Due to the demanding macro in Finland the lift to high single digits may take longer time than in Sweden.
- Both gross margin and EBITDA-margin for the Group will be negatively affected by the establishment in new markets
For further information please find attached the quarterly report and the presentation material.
The results will be presented at 08:30 CET by CEO Fredrik Steenbuch and CFO Krister Pedersen. The presentation will take place at Danske Bank Markets in Oslo, Bryggetorget 4, Foredragssalen. The presentation will be held in English and will be webcasted at www.xxlasa.com. You may also follow the presentation live by telephone. Dial-in details: +47 21 56 33 18 (Norway) and +44(0) 20 3003 2666 (International), passcode – XXL Q2.
A replay will be available on www.xxlasa.com soon after the live presentation.
For further queries, please contact:
Tolle O. R. Grøterud
Investor Relations XXL ASA
Tel: +47 90 27 29 59
E-mail:ir@xxlasa.com
This information is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act
About XXL ASA
XXL is a leading sports retailer with stores and e-commerce in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. It is the largest and the fastest growing among the major sports retailers in the Nordic. XXL pursues a broad customer appeal, offering a one stop shop experience with a wide range of products for sports, hunting, skiing, biking and other outdoor activities. XXL’s concept is to have the largest stores with the lowest prices and the widest assortment of products, focusing on branded goods.