BGR - Briscoe Group Ltd

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www.briscoegroup.co.nz

[Bongo666]

A nice sales result out today (See attachment below) Sales slightly down but all important margins are up. Good going, that Duke is a master retailer!


Seems the lift in margins for Briscoe Group led an upwards tick in New Zealand retailers today. Investors must remember that not all listed retailers are created equal

BGR - 1st Quarter Sales to 26 April 2009.pdf

[Bongo666]

So Briscoe Group thinks the time is right to buy a distressed retailer (see attachment below) but CEO and founder Rod Duke has telegraphed this many times before and still no movement. Meanwhile his cash piles up.

It is clearly different this time. Which retailers could be his target?

Well, you don't have to be Einstein to figure that out, just have a look at your local mall and see which retailers are selling (at a profit) and which are not

Briscoes goes shopping for rival retailers.docx

[Bongo666]

So Briscoe Group thinks the time is right to buy a distressed retailer (see attachment below) but CEO and founder Rod Duke has telegraphed this many times before and still no movement. Meanwhile his cash piles up.

It is clearly different this time. Which retailers could be his target?

Well, you dont have to be Einstein to figure that out, just have a look at your local mall and see which retailers are selling (at a profit) and which are not

Here is a really good question, if Rod is looking at buying cheap assets how come he hasn't been buying back stock in Briscoes?

[Bongo666]

An expectation in the doubling of HY profit for Briscoes is encouraging during a recession. The higher margins are a really good sign and an overall increase in sales(see attachment below) was not really expected and contrary to other retailers.

Retailer Briscoe Group expects to virtually double its profits in the latest half year.

In releasing six-monthly sales figures for the period to July 26 today, Briscoe managing director Rod Duke said the company expected after tax earnings for the period of at least $6 million compared with $3.1 million at the same time last year.

Last year's half-year earnings were hit hard by the recession and downturn in consumer spending, with profits having tumbled from $10.5 million in the previous comparable period. Briscoe operates the Briscoes Homeware, Rebel Sport and Living & Giving stores.

Duke said today that in the latest trading period the gross profit margins had been higher than at the same time a year ago.

Stock levels were in great shape and the benefits of operating efficiencies were coming through.

"These efficiencies have been generated from the cost minimisation initiatives implemented progressively since early last year as well as from the changes we have made this year to the structure of our store management," Duke said.

"We are pleased with the result for this second quarter and the resulting half year performance which has been achieved in a retail market that continues to be highly competitive and unpredictable; particularly for our specialty homeware stores."

Total sales for the half year were $185.3 million, up 1.83 on the $182 million at the same time last year.

The Group's homeware segment decreased sales very marginally during this period but the sporting goods segment increased sales by 6.2 percent.

On the comparing-apples-with-apples, same store basis the group's sales were 0.9 percent ahead of the same period last year.

On a same store basis homeware sales decreased by 1.4 percent, while sporting goods sales increased by 6.2 percent over the first half of last year.

For the second quarter period group sales were $95.1 million, up 3.7 percent on the same quarter of last year.

BGR - 2nd Quarter Sales to 26 July 2009.pdf

[Bongo666]

Nice rise in sales for Briscoe Group for the most recent quarter. An 8% spike. Interesting to see how margins are going though or are they just getting rid of old crap...

[Bongo666]

2nd Quarter Sales Release to 1 August 2010

The directors of Briscoe Group Limited announce unaudited sales for the half year to 1 August 2010 of $190.1 million, an increase of 2.61% on the $185.3 million reported for the first six months of last year. The Group’s homeware segment increased sales by 1.73% during this period and the sporting goods segment by 4.47%.

On a same store basis the Group’s sales for the half year ended 1 August 2010 were 2.49% ahead of the same period last year.

On a same store basis homeware sales increased by 1.56%, while sporting goods sales increased by 4.47% over the first half of last year.

For the second quarter period, being the thirteen weeks ended 1 August 2010, Group sales were $93.3 million, being 1.93% below the $95.1 million reported for the same quarter of last year.

Homeware sales for the quarter decreased by 3.64% to $64.9 million while sporting goods sales increased by 2.22% to $28.4 million. On a same store basis, homeware sales decreased by 3.69% for the quarter while sporting goods sales were 2.22% ahead of last year.

On a same store basis the Group’s sales for the quarter were 1.96% below the second quarter for last year.

Group Managing Director, Rod Duke said, “Pressure on sales intensified during this second quarter and gross margin %, as for the first quarter, is slightly below that achieved for the second quarter last year. This reflects the impact of the unusually mild temperatures experienced in April and May as the winter season commenced and the continued competitiveness and tightening across the retail industry in general.

”Despite the tough operating conditions, Group EBIT has tracked ahead of last year for both quarters and we expect our results for the half year to show Group EBIT ahead of last year by around 30%. We’re pleased with this interim result given the current retail environment. Sales and gross profit will be up on last year and costs have been well managed during this first six months. Gross margin % will be slightly lower than for last year.

”After taking to account a tax adjustment of approximately $2.6 million that we are required to book under New Zealand Equivalent to International Accounting Standard 12 as a result of the recent tax changes announced by the government, the Group’s Net Profit After Tax for the half year is anticipated to be similar to the $6.5 million reported for the same period last year.”

Friday 6 August 2010

Contact for enquiries:
Rod Duke
Group Managing Director
Tel: (09) 815 3737