South African retailer TFG reports first-quarter sales jump, shares rise (updated)

China Cultural Tourism and Agriculture

28/07/2022 15:23

(Adds details, share reaction)
    JOHANNESBURG, July 28 (Reuters) - South African fashion
retailer TFG  TFGJ.J  reported a 16.3% rise in first quarter
turnover on Thursday, as consumers coming out of the COVID-19
lockdowns splashed out on items to rejuvenate their wardrobes
and homes.
    By 1400 GMT, shares in TFG were up 5.43% to 124.60 rand, a
near three-week high.
    The clothes, homeware and jewellery retailer warned,
however, that it expects consumers to remain under pressure due
to the ongoing rise in input costs, rising interest rates and a
weaker exchange rate. TFG owns the Foschini, Markham and
Sportscene brands in South Africa and womenswear brands Hobbs
and Whistles in the UK.
    The global apparel industry is recovering from a punishing
2020, when shops were forced to close to prevent the spread of
COVID-19 and consumers switched formal dresses and shirts for
sweat pants and lounge wear.
    As lockdowns eased, pent-up demand for new clothes and desks
and couches revived sales. But the rising cost of living is
threatening that demand again.
    TFG Africa's turnover, excluding any non-comparative
acquisitions, rose by 11.2% in the first quarter ended June 30,
underpinned by clothing and homeware sales growth.
    A high proportion of sales were full price sales which
contributed to margin improvements, TFG said.
    The return to offices and resumption of formal events
supported sales in TFG London, up 39.9% in local currency terms,
while in Australia, sales rose 15.7%, thanks to low unemployment
rates and a robust economy, TFG said.
    Group online sales performance continues to normalise with
growth of 13.2%.
    The growth was achieved despite facing several challenges,
such as increased levels of rolling power cuts in South Africa,
leading to 33,000 lost trading hours. The non-payment of the
COVID-19 social grant in the quarter also impacted trading, TFG
said.
    In the UK, the weakening exchange rate and increased
inflationary pressure put further pressure on consumer spending,
while in Australia increasing fuel and housing costs have
started to drive up consumer prices, the retailer said.
    The jump in TFG shares on Thursday wiped out losses since
the start of this year, taking them up 0.6% year to date.

    

 (Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; editing by Jason Neely and Susan
Fenton)
 ((nqobile.dludla@thomsonreuters.com; +27103461066;))