Final Results
RNS Number : 3011P
Leeds Group PLC
18 October 2021
Issued on behalf of Leeds Group plc Embargoed: 7.00am
Date: 18 October 2021
Leeds Group plc
("Leeds Group" or "the Group")
Final Results for the year ended 31 May 2021
Leeds Group reports the final results of the Group for the year to 31 May 2021.
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK Market Abuse Regulation and has been arranged for release by Jan G Holmstrom, Non-Executive Chairman. The Directors of the Company are responsible for the release of this announcement.
Enquiries:
Leeds Group plc Cairn Financial Advisers LLP
Dawn Henderson - 01937 547877 Liam Murray/Sandy Jamieson - 020 7213 0880
Chairman's Statement
As a result of the ongoing global pandemic, it has been another challenging year for the Group. In our interim report we announced that sales for Hemmers and KMR in the first six months of the financial year had been higher than expected. In subsequent trading updates on 17 February 2021 and 18 May 2021, we explained that since the half year end, there had been further countrywide restrictions imposed by the German government which had adversely affected trading activity in the second half of the financial year.
Both Hemmers-Itex Textil Import Export GmbH ('Hemmers') and Stoff-Ideen-KMR GmbH ('KMR') businesses have been affected by the countrywide lockdowns imposed by the German government in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and further government-imposed restrictions placed on retail shops thereafter. Hemmer's wholesale business was also affected by lockdowns in its export markets though trading continued on a reduced basis. However, all KMR's retail shops were fully closed during the country-wide lockdowns which lasted until early March 2021 with some shops remaining closed until the end of May 2021 due to localised lockdowns. The effect of the KMR shop closures were partly mitigated by actions taken by management and by government financial aid. The Group operating result showed a reduced loss of £280,000 compared to the previous year loss of £1,756,000.
Even though the lockdown has now been lifted, the Covid-19 pandemic is still having an impact in the global marketplace, with sales levels for both Hemmers and KMR in the first quarter of the new financial year lower than previous years but in line with expectations. The impact of Covid-19 on the Group is detailed further in the Finance and Operating Review. The Directors are confident that both businesses are prepared to mitigate the risk of a further wave of the pandemic and should restrictions be imposed again, the companies would take the necessary actions and also apply for any available government financial support.
Following the prior year sales and cost reviews, the Directors believe that the Group is structured to align its costs with sales activity and has a stronger management team with a competitive sales strategy. This strategy will potentially return the Group to acceptable levels of profit in future years, assuming a return to a normal trading environment.
On behalf of shareholders, I want to thank the management and staff of Hemmers and KMR who have all continued with their best efforts to work through difficult and challenging times in the face of the global pandemic.
Jan G Holmstrom
Non-Executive Chairman
15 October 2021
Finance and Operating Review
Group result
Group revenue for the continuing operations in the year was £33,013,000 (2020: £35,067,000). The ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic affected both Hemmers and KMR. Although the German government provided financial support to the Group amounting to £966,000, the reduced sales figures did not generate enough contribution to cover the fixed overheads and, therefore, both Hemmers and KMR made a loss after interest. The Group's operating loss from continuing activities was £280,000 (2020: loss £1,756,000) and the Group's loss before tax from continuing activities was £508,000 (2020: loss £2,016,000).
The tax credit in the year was £42,000 (2020: charge £6,000). The total loss per share was 1.7p (2020: loss per share 8.6p).
Hemmers-Itex
Hemmers is a global business engaged in designing, importing, warehousing and wholesaling of fabrics from Germany. The market in Germany has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, however Hemmers have positioned themselves well in the marketplace and have managed to secure business from competitors. The strategic sales review coupled with the comprehensive cost review undertaken last year has ensured the cost base for Hemmers is aligned to the current sales levels and market conditions. Sales for the year were slightly higher than last year at £27,669,000 (2020: £27,060,000) due to exchange translation as sales volumes were in line with previous years but lower than expectations. The gross contribution percentage decreased slightly to 30% (2020: 31%) due to the pressure on pricing through competition however, with the increased level of sales, the gross contribution has increased to £4,580,000 (2020: £4,155,000). Due to the reduction in fixed overheads resulting from the prior year cost review and government financial assistance of £274,000, Hemmers achieved a profit before interest of £330,000 (2020: loss £1,298,000).
Hemmers is completely focused on growing its business domestically and internationally in its wholesale markets with a more customer focused sales strategy. We are confident that Hemmers will continue to compete in the global marketplace regaining further market share thus returning to profitability after interest.
Hemmers bank debt, net of cash, increased in the year to £3,558,000 (2020: £3,184,000). The bank debt is secured on the assets of Hemmers.
KMR
KMR is a retail trading business in Germany. KMR has been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic resulting in the closure of all its retail shops during countrywide lockdowns. Also following the lifting of the second government-imposed lockdown, local lockdowns were imposed due to the level of Covid-19 infections in certain areas. This affected certain KMR retail shops for a further eleven weeks in this financial year. Sales were, therefore, significantly lower than last year at £5,344,000 (2020: £8,007,000). The gross contribution percentage increased slightly to 56% (2020: 53%) due to price increases. This lower level of trading, despite financial support from the German government amounting to £692,000, has resulted in a loss before interest for the year of £211,000 (2020: loss £218,000). Improved working efficiencies have been implemented during the year including the introduction of new working patterns resulting in a reduced cost base. This is expected to eliminate the losses going forward and provide a better foundation for improved results in the coming years.
KMR bank debt, net of cash, decreased in the year to £749,000 (2020: £979,000). The bank debt is secured on the assets of KMR.
Fixed Assets
The net book amount of tangible fixed assets is £7,750,000 (2020: £8,183,000). Capital additions in the year amounted to £562,000 (2020: £560,000).
The net book value of right-to-use assets is £2,453,000 (2020: £2,374,000). There were £750,000 of additional right-of-use leases included as assets in the year although they relate to leases which were regarded as short-term leases in 2020 (2020: £258,000). An impairment charge of £333,000 has been recognised in the accounts in relation to these assets.
Working Capital and Cash Flow
Net debt increased from £3,517,000 to £3,952,000 in the year. Net cash used in the year at average exchange rates was £610,000 (2020: generated £34,000). Working capital, which comprises inventories, trade and other receivables and trade and other payables, increased in the year by £452,000 (2020: decreased £2,738,000). Debtor and Trade Creditor levels were lower at 31 May 2021 due to the reduced trading in March to May as a result of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on trading. Loan repayments of £771,000 (2020: £2,378,000) have been made this year. Last year the repayments were partly due to the sale of properties which generated £1,317,000 with the corresponding debt being repaid. New loans taken out in the year £787,000 relating to short term debt. Lease liability repayments (including interest) of £1,059,000 (2020: £926,000) have been made in the year.
The Group continues to carefully monitor its working capital requirements to ensure it operates within its current banking facilities.
Net Asset Value
Net assets decreased in the year by £1,022,000 as follows:
| Net assets £000 | Per share pence | |
| At 31 May 2020 | 15,583 | 57.0 |
| Loss after tax | (466) | (1.7) |
| Translation differences | (556) | (2.0) |
| At 31 May 2021 | 14,561 | 53.3 |
| Year ended 31 May 2021 £000 | Year ended 31 May 2020 £000 | |
| Continuing operations Revenue | 33,013 | 35,067 |
| Cost of sales | (26,700) | (29,039) |
| Gross profit | 6,313 | 6,028 |
| Distribution costs | (2,647) | (2,876) |
| Administrative costs | (4,912) | (4,908) |
| Other income | 966 | - |
| Loss from operations | (280) | (1,756) |
| Finance expense | (228) | (260) |
| Loss before tax | (508) | (2,016) |
| Tax credit/(charge) | 42 | (6) |
| Loss from continuing operations | (466) | (2,022) |
| Discontinued operations Loss from discontinued operations | - | (332) |
| Loss for the year attributable to the equity holders of the Parent Company | (466) | (2,354) |
| Other comprehensive (loss)/income | ||
| Translation differences on foreign operations | (556) | 196 |
| Total comprehensive loss for the year attributable to the equity holders of the Parent Company | (1,022) | (2,158) |
| Year ended 31 May 2021 | Year ended 31 May 2020 | |
| Basic and diluted total loss per share (pence) | 1.7p | 8.6p |
| Company number 00067863 | 31 May 2021 £000 | 31 May 2020 £000 | |
| Assets | |||
| Non-current assets | |||
| Property, plant and equipment | 7,750 | 8,183 | |
| Right-of-use assets | 2,453 | 2,374 | |
| Intangible assets | 58 | 67 | |
| Total non-current assets | 10,261 | 10,624 | |
| Current assets | |||
| Inventories | 10,287 | 10,188 | |
| Trade and other receivables | 2,867 | 3,464 | |
| Tax recoverable | 136 | 206 | |
| Cash on demand and on short term deposit | 670 | 1,104 | |
| Total current assets | 13,960 | 14,962 | |
| Total assets | 24,221 | 25,586 | |
| Liabilities | |||
| Non-current liabilities | |||
| Loans and borrowings | (1,498) | (1,950) | |
| Lease liabilities | (1,856) | (1,478) | |
| Total non-current liabilities | (3,354) | (3,428) | |
| Current liabilities | |||
| Trade and other payables | (2,265) | (2,877) | |
| Loans and borrowings | (2,926) | (2,671) | |
| Lease liabilities | (1,015) | (927) | |
| Provisions | (100) | (100) | |
| Total current liabilities | (6,306) | (6,575) | |
| Total liabilities | (9,660) | (10,003) | |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS | 14,561 | 15,583 |
| Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the Company | |||
| Share capital | 3,279 | 3,792 | |
| Capital redemption reserve | 1,113 | 600 | |
| Treasury share reserve | - | (807) | |
| Foreign exchange reserve | 2,185 | 2,741 | |
| Retained earnings | 7,984 | 9,257 | |
| TOTAL EQUITY | 14,561 | 15,583 |
| Year ended 31 May 2021 £000 | Year ended 31 May 2020 £000 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||
| Loss for the year | (466) | (2,354) |
| Adjustments for: | ||
| Government assistance credit | (966) | - |
| Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | 624 | 723 |
| Depreciation of right-of-use assets | 1,062 | 876 |
| Impairment of right-of-use assets | 333 | - |
| Depreciation of investment property | - | 13 |
| Amortisation of intangible assets | 6 | 6 |
| Finance expense - interest on bank loans | 154 | 174 |
| Finance expense - interest lease liabilities | 74 | 86 |
| Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment | (14) | (32) |
| Tax (credit)/charge | (42) | 6 |
| Cash flows from/(to) operating activities before changes in working capital and provisions | 765 | (502) |
| (Increase)/decrease in inventories | (571) | 1,735 |
| Decrease in trade and other receivables | 718 | 965 |
| (Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables | (599) | 38 |
| Cash generated from operating activities | 313 | 2,236 |
| Tax received | 110 | 519 |
| Net cash flows from operating activities | 423 | 2,755 |
| Investing activities | ||
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (562) | (560) |
| Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets | 21 | 1,317 |
| Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities | (541) | 757 |
| Financing activities | ||
| Bank borrowings drawn | 787 | - |
| Bank borrowings repaid | (771) | (2,378) |
| Repayment of principal on lease liabilities | (985) | (840) |
| Repayment of interest on lease liabilities | (74) | (86) |
| Bank interest paid | (154) | (174) |
| Government assistance received | 705 | - |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (492) | (3,478) |
| Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents | (610) | 34 |
| Translation (loss)/gain on cash and cash equivalents | (22) | 5 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year | 1,104 | 1,065 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year | 472 | 1,104 |
| Cash on demand or on short term deposit | 670 | 1,104 |
| Bank overdrafts | (198) | - |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year | 472 | 1,104 |
| Share capital £000 | Capital redemption reserve £000 | Treasury share reserve £000 | Foreign exchange reserve £000 | Retained earnings £000 | Total equity £000 | |
| At 31 May 2019 | 3,792 | 600 | (807) | 2,545 | 11,611 | 17,741 |
| Loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (2,354) | (2,354) |
| Other comprehensive income | - | - | - | 196 | - | 196 |
| Total comprehensive income/(loss) | - | - | - | 196 | (2,354) | (2,158) |
| At 31 May 2020 | 3,792 | 600 | (807) | 2,741 | 9,257 | 15,583 |
| Cancellation of treasury shares | (513) | 513 | 807 | - | (807) | - |
| Loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (466) | (466) |
| Other comprehensive loss | - | - | - | (556) | - | (556) |
| Total comprehensive loss | - | - | - | (556) | (466) | (1,022) |
| At 31 May 2021 | 3,279 | 1,113 | - | 2,185 | 7,984 | 14,561 |
| Reserve | Description and purpose |
| Share capital | The nominal value of issued ordinary shares in the Company. |
| Capital redemption reserve | Amounts transferred from share capital on redemption of issued shares. |
| Treasury share reserve | Cost of own shares held in treasury. |
| Foreign exchange reserve | Gains/(losses) arising on retranslation of the net assets of overseas operations into sterling. |
| Retained earnings | Cumulative net gains/(losses) recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income after deducting the cost of cancelled treasury shares. |
| Year ended 31 May 2021 | Year ended 31 May 2020 | |
| Numerator | ||
| Total loss for the year | £466,000 | £2,354,000 |
| Denominator | ||
| Weighted average number of shares | 27,320,843 | 27,320,843 |
| Basic and diluted total loss per share | 1.7p | 8.6p |
| Numerator | |||
| Loss for the year from continuing operations | £466,000 | £2,022,000 | |
| Denominator | |||
| Weighted average number of shares | 27,320,843 | 27,320,843 | |
| Basic and diluted loss from continuing operations per share | 1.7p | 7.4p | |
| Numerator | ||
| Loss for the year from discontinued operations | - | £332,000 |
| Denominator | ||
| Weighted average number of shares | - | 27,320,843 |
| Basic and diluted loss from discontinued operations per share | - | 1.2p |
| Year ended 31 May 2021 | Hemmers £000 | KMR £000 | Inter segmental £000 | Parent Company £000 | Continuing operations £000 | Discontinued operations £000 | Total Group £000 |
| External revenue | 27,669 | 5,344 | - | - | 33,013 | - | 33,013 |
| Inter-segmental revenue | 1,071 | 1 | (1,072) | - | - | - | - |
| Cost of sales | (24,160) | (3,602) | 1,062 | - | (26,700) | - | (26,700) |
| Gross profit | 4,580 | 1,743 | (10) | - | 6,313 | 6,313 | |
| Distribution costs | (1,499) | (1,148) | - | - | (2,647) | - | (2,647) |
| Admin expenses | (3,212) | (1,498) | 187 | (389) | (4,912) | - | (4,912) |
| Other income | 461 | 692 | (187) | - | 966 | - | 966 |
| Operating profit/(loss) | 330 | (211) | (10) | (389) | (280) | - | (280) |
| Finance expense | (128) | (100) | - | - | (228) | - | (228) |
| Internal interest | (213) | - | - | 213 | - | - | - |
| Loss before tax | (11) | (311) | (10) | (176) | (508) | - | (508) |
| At 31 May 2021 | Hemmers £000 | KMR £000 | Adj £000 | Parent Company £000 | Continuing operations £000 | Discontinued operations £000 | Total Group £000 |
| Total assets | 15,803 | 5,688 | (174) | 2,904 | 24,221 | - | 24,221 |
| Total liabilities | (5,589) | (3,969) | - | (102) | (9,660) | - | (9,660) |
| Total net assets | 10,214 | 1,719 | (174) | 2,802 | 14,561 | - | 14,561 |
| Year ended 31 May 2020 | Hemmers £000 | KMR £000 | Inter segmental £000 | Parent Company £000 | Continuing operations £000 | Discontinued operations £000 | Total Group £000 |
| External revenue | 27,060 | 8,007 | - | - | 35,067 | 488 | 35,555 |
| Inter-segmental revenue | 1,563 | 5 | (1,681) | - | (113) | 113 | - |
| Cost of sales | (24,468) | (5,930) | 1,472 | - | (28,926) | (697) | (29,623) |
| Gross profit/(loss) | 4,155 | 2,082 | (209) | - | 6,028 | (96) | 5,932 |
| Distribution costs | (1,628) | (1,312) | 64 | - | (2,876) | (51) | (2,927) |
| Admin expenses | (3,913) | (988) | 233 | (240) | (4,908) | (185) | (5,093) |
| Other income | 88 | - | (88) | - | - | - | - |
| Operating loss | (1,298) | (218) | - | (240) | (1,756) | (332) | (2,088) |
| Finance expense | (147) | (113) | - | - | (260) | - | (260) |
| Internal interest | (148) | - | - | 148 | - | - | - |
| Loss before tax | (1,593) | (331) | - | (92) | (2,016) | (332) | (2,348) |
| At 31 May 2020 | Hemmers £000 | KMR £000 | Inter segmental £000 | Parent Company £000 | Continuing operations £000 | Discontinued operations £000 | Total Group £000 |
| Total assets | 16,998 | 5,745 | (218) | 3,061 | 25,586 | - | 25,586 |
| Total liabilities | (5,769) | (4,151) | - | (83) | (10,003) | - | (10,003) |
| Total net assets | 11,229 | 1,594 | (218) | 2,978 | 15,583 | - | 15,583 |
| 31 May 2021 £000 | 31 May 2020 £000 | |
| Current | ||
| Secured bank loans | 2,926 | 2,671 |
| Non - current | ||
| Secured bank loans | 1,498 | 1,950 |
| Total loans and borrowings | 4,424 | 4,621 |
| Fixed interest rate | Repayment profile | Final repayment date | 31 May 2021 £000 | 31 May 2020 £000 | ||
| Loan 1 | 4.07% | Equal monthly instalments | September 2027 | 353 | 436 | |
| Loan 2 | 1.65% | Equal quarterly instalments | September 2025 | 835 | 1,124 | |
| Loan 3 | 1.05% | Equal quarterly instalments | March 2026 | 310 | 390 | |
| Non-current loans | 1,498 | 1,950 | ||||