Pre-Close Statement
Key Points for the 11-week Period
The prolonged winter period resulted in a year-on-year change in the sales mix in the period, benefitting Car Maintenance whilst having a marked dampening effect on our outdoor-focused categories, such as Cycling and Travel Solutions.
· Cycling: a delayed start to the season, though Premium Cycle sales were resilient and online parts, accessory and clothing sales increased by 26.5% ahead of the full-scale online launch this year
· Car Maintenance: a strong performance with 3Bs parts sales up 26.3% and fitting penetration up 10.6% pts to 39.4%, benefitting from the strategic wefit focus
· Car Enhancement: Sat Nav sales flat with growth in Audio not enough to offset the decline in Car Cleaning
· Travel Solutions: reduced demand for outdoor products were partly mitigated by winter-related accessory sales such as snow chains and shovels
· Online Retail: a 13.4% increase in sales reflected a 24.7% increase in Sat Nav revenues
· Autocentres: 12 centres opened in the period but fleet sales remain under pressure
FY13 Expectations
The Board anticipates Group Profit Before Tax for the year ended 29 March 2013 to remain in line with prior assumptions within the range of £68-72m. The Group's financial position is sound; as previously highlighted, we have focused on exiting old inventory as we invest for the new financial year.