Final Results
Key highlights
· Group underlying profit before tax increased by 76% to £166.2 million versus £94.5 million reported last year and up 10% on a restated basis (1),(2).
- Further strong progress in the UK & Ireland with underlying operating profits up 24%(1)
- Elkjøp delivered another strong year with record sales
- Greece delivered an improved performance with some signs of stability returning to the market
· Another successful year for the Group, delivering on its key objectives:
- Firm establishment of a sustainable business in a multi-channel world
- Disposals of all non-core operations, leaving the Group with leading positions in all our core markets
· Proposed merger with Carphone Warehouse announced to develop a leading position across electricals, mobiles and connectivity.
- European Commission has confirmed that it has unconditionally cleared the proposed merger
· Group online sales increased by 16% to £1 billion.
· Customer service metrics at their highest ever recorded levels in all markets.
· Return on capital employed of 16.3%, up from 14.9% in the prior year.
· Group costs reduced by a further £45 million completing the two year £90 million cost reduction initiative.
· Very strong cash generation with the Group ending the year with net cash increasing to £70.9 million.
Financial highlights
· Total underlying Group sales up 3% at £7.22 billion (2012/13 £7.03 billion) (1).
· Group gross margins down 0.2% in the full year, with an improvement in the second half.
· Total profit before tax after non-underlying items increased by 53% to £132.9 million (2012/13 profit of £86.6 million).
· Post tax non-underlying charges of £186.0 million, relating mainly to disposals of non-core operations. (1)
· Underlying diluted earnings per share 3.0 pence (2012/13 earnings of 2.6 pence)(1). Basic loss per share including discontinued operations of (1.9) pence (2012/13 loss per share of (4.5) pence).