REG - On the Beach Group - COVID-19 Update

On Beach groupAnnouncement

28/02/2020 14:15

RNS Number : 5437E
  
On the Beach Group PLC
  
28 February 2020
  
 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No 596/2014
 
28 February 2020
 
On the Beach Group plc 
("On the Beach" or the "Group") 
 
COVID-19 Update
 
On the Beach Group plc (LSE: OTB.L), the UK's leading online retailer for beach holidays, today issues a trading update following recent COVID-19 developments. 
 
The Group experienced a small but noticeable reduction in demand for Summer 2020 travel following the early reports of COVID-19 cases in early February. The reduction in demand has accelerated significantly following the increase in COVID-19 cases in Europe, particularly the spread of the virus to Tenerife.
 
Whilst this reduction in demand has led to a natural reduction in marketing spend, the Board does not now expect the Group to achieve payback in the current financial year on its previously outlined strategic marketing investment.
 
With the expectation that the spread of the COVID-19 is going to cause significant disruption for a period of time, the Board believes that the Group's Full Year results for the year to 30 September 2020 will be below current market expectations. 
 
On the Beach's asset light business model, low inventory risk and tight cost and cash controls ensure that the Group is resilient in a volatile market environment, enabling it to return to profitable growth when the demand for short haul beach holidays normalises. 
 
 
 
For further information: 
 



On the Beach Group plc 
Simon Cooper, Chief Executive Officer 
Paul Meehan, Chief Financial Officer 
 


via FTI Consulting




FTI Consulting 
Alex Beagley 
Fiona Walker 
Sam Macpherson


Tel: +44 (0)20 3727 1000



 
About On the Beach
With over 20% share of online sales in the short haul beach holiday market, we are one of the UK's largest online beach holiday retailers. We have significant opportunities for growth and a long-term mission to become Europe's leading online retailer of beach holidays. By using our innovative technology, low-cost base and strong customer-value proposition to provide a structural challenge to legacy tour operators, we continue our journey to disrupt the online retail of beach holidays. Our model is customer-centric, asset light, profitable and cash generative.
 
www.onthebeachgroupplc.com
 
Cautionary statement
 
This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results, operations and businesses of the Company. Forward looking statements are sometimes, but not always, identified by their use of a date in the future or such words as 'anticipates', 'aims', 'due', 'will', 'could', 'may', 'should', 'expects', 'believes', 'intends', 'plans', 'targets', 'goal' or 'estimates'. These forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including factors outside the Company's control. The forward-looking statements reflect the knowledge and information available at the date of preparation of this announcement and will not be updated during the year. Nothing in this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast.
 


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