Moss Bros Group PLC Trading Update (1886O)
May 16 2018 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMMOSB
RNS Number : 1886O
Moss Bros Group PLC
16 May 2018
AGM Trading Update
16 May 2018
Moss Bros Group PLC ("the Group") the first choice in men's
tailoring, today issues the following trading update for the 15
week period from 28 January 2018 to 12 May 2018, ahead of its
Annual General Meeting to be held at 12.00 noon today.
The Group's overall trading performance has improved since the
Trading Update released on 21 March 2018. The anticipated recovery
in stock availability is on track and the stock position much
improved from the early weeks of the current financial year. Retail
sales, including e-commerce, have underpinned this improvement in
performance.
Highlights:
-- Total sales for the business for the first 15 weeks fell by
-2.4% on last year. Total like-for-like sales were -5.2% lower for
the same period. This is an improvement on the run rate seen in
March of -4.4% and -6.5% respectively.
-- Like-for-like retail sales, including e-commerce, were down
-5.2%, a slight improvement on the March run rate of -6.7%,
reflecting a recovery from the new season stock shortages.
-- Like-for-like hire sales on a 'cash taken' basis were -4.9%,
unchanged on the March run rate of -4.9%.
-- E-commerce sales continued to increase, up 11.0% on last
year, and an improvement on the March run rate of 4.0%. Total
e-commerce sales now comprise 13.0% of total sales for the 15 weeks
to date, compared with 11.5% for the same period last year.
-- A further 2 stores have been refitted this year to date and 2
new stores will open shortly at Westfield London and in Oxford. As
at today, we trade from a total of 128 stores.
The business continues to recover from the stock related
challenges experienced at the start of the current financial year,
although a fragile and more volatile consumer environment
continues. Even so, the Board remains confident that the business
is on track to meet market expectations for the year.
Commenting on the outlook, Brian Brick, Chief Executive Officer,
said:
"Following a disappointing start to the year, our trading
performance has, as anticipated, begun to improve, as a result of
our improving stock availability. The wider trading environment
however remains tough with a fragile consumer environment.
We remain conscious of the economic headwinds which we face but
will, as described in March, continue to invest in the areas that
ensure we leverage our distinct position on the high street.
We will shortly enter a key period of our trading year, with
wedding season, school proms and Ascot. We are well placed with our
core offer and levels of stock availability to maximise our share
of our customers' spend."
The Group will announce its Interim results on 25 September
2018.
Like-for-like represents financial information for stores open
during both the current and prior financial periods and compares 15
weeks against 15 weeks, except for stores refitted in the period,
where the period closed for refit is excluded from both the current
and prior financial periods. Like-for-like Hire and Tailor Me sales
are calculated on cash receipts in the period, before adjustment
for the movement in the level of deposits held.
For further information please contact:
Moss Bros Group Plc 0207 447 7200
Brian Brick, Chief Executive Officer
Tony Bennett, Finance Director and Company Secretary
Buchanan 0207 466 5000
Charles Ryland/Catriona Flint
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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