DGAP-News: Ludwig Beck am Rathauseck-Textilhaus Feldmeier

DGAP-News: Ludwig Beck am Rathauseck-Textilhaus Feldmeier AG / Key word(s): Half Year Results/Quarter Results Ludwig Beck am Rathauseck-Textilhaus Feldmeier AG: LUDWIG BECK Group generates significant increase in sales in the first half of 2016 26.07.2016 / 08:00 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corporate News LUDWIG BECK Group generates significant increase in sales in the first half of 2016 Munich, July 26, 2016 - The Munich fashion group LUDWIG BECK (ISIN DE 0005199905) recorded a substantial growth in sales in the first half of 2016, attributable to the WORMLAND segment newly acquired in May 2015. The German fashion trade concluded the first six months of the year under report with a cumulative 1% decline in sales. Development of sales At group level, LUDWIG BECK generated gross sales in the amount of EUR 79.5m (previous year: EUR 56.8m). The new WORMLAND segment contributed EUR 35.0m to this result (previous year: EUR 11.2m). The LUDWIG BECK segment including the flagship store at Marienplatz in Munich with sales amounting to EUR 44.5m (previous year: EUR 45.6m) produced a slight decrease, basically due to erratic weather conditions prevailing over extended periods of time. The online store at www.ludwigbeck.de continued its positive performance trend also in the past half-year. Earnings situation The Group's gross profit reached EUR 31.2m (previous year: EUR 23.3m). The gross profit margin was at 46.7% (previous year: 48.9%). This decline was not only due to the development of sales but also to the continuous sell- off of old WORMLAND stocks and the intensified sell-off of old goods in the Theo branch in Oberhausen, which was closed on June 30, 2016 as scheduled. In this context it also has to be mentioned that the launch of a new WORMLAND branch in Nuremberg is planned for the fall of 2016. As per reporting date, WORMLAND's stocks have been cleared by and large so that the gross profit margin can be expected to rise in the second half of the year. Personnel expenses went up to EUR 15.4m (previous year: EUR 10.6m). Other expenses were recorded in the amount of EUR 17.4m (previous year: EUR 11.1m). At group level, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) amounted to EUR -1.6m (previous year: EUR 11.3m). The LUDWIG BECK segment could improve its result from EUR 1.1m to EUR 1.6m. The WORMLAND segment recorded an EBIT of EUR -3.2m. Consolidated earnings before taxes (EBT) came to EUR -2.1m (previous year: EUR 10.8m). Outlook The development in the first half of the year has provided proof that the measures initiated by LUDWIG BECK to integrate WORMLAND are taking hold and that the new segment has made an important step towards consolidation. Dieter Münch, member of the Executive Board of LUDWIG BECK AG, stated: In the medium term, we will lead WORMLAND back to its original strength and economic efficiency. At the same time the management is keeping a watchful eye on potential changes of the political and macroeconomic framework conditions in Germany and in Europe. At any rate, an event like the recent killing spree in the Olympia shopping mall (OEZ) in Munich provides an example of some unforeseen occurrences that can significantly affect a forecast. Furthermore, it is currently impossible to predict whether the terrorist attacks committed in Europe will lead to distinctly slackened tourist traffic in the second half of 2016. At present, the Executive Board expects sales of goods at group level to reach between EUR 180m and EUR 190m and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) to amount to EUR 8m to EUR 9m. The comprehensive Half-year Report for the fiscal year 2016 is published online at http://kaufhaus.ludwigbeck.de/english/ under Investor Relations, in the Financial Publications section under the heading Quarterly Reports. Key figures of the Group <pre> in EURm 1/1/2016 - 1/1/2015 - 6/30/2016 6/30/2015 Gross sales 79.5 56.8 Net sales 66.8 47.7 Earnings before interest, 0.5 13.0 taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) Earnings before interest -1.6 11.3 and taxes (EBIT) Earnings before taxes -2.1 10.8 (EBT) Earnings after taxes -2.4 10.6 Equity (at end of period 74.0 74.9 6/30) Equity ratio in % (at end 56.9 52.0 of period 6/30) Earnings per share (in -0.64 2.88 EUR) Investments 2.0 0.8 Employees *) 882 912 Apprentices (number) 49 53 </pre> *) without apprentices Segment information <pre> in EURm LUDWIG BECK WORMLAND GROUP Gross sales 44.5 35.0 79.5 Earnings before interest, 3.2 -2.6 0.5 taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) Earnings before interest and 1.6 -3.2 -1.6 taxes (EBIT) </pre> LUDWIG BECK LUDWIG BECK is one of the top fashion retail companies in Germany. In 2015, with approximately 500 employees it generated gross sales of EUR 104m (as per December 2015) on an area of about 12,400 sqm as well as through its online shop. LUDWIG BECK is located in the heart of Munich, directly at Marienplatz. On seven floors the Munich fashion company showcases international fashion, leather goods and accessories, exclusive cosmetics and with over 120,000 titles Europe's largest onsite collection of classical, jazz and world music and audiobooks. Since the end of 2012, the singular brand portfolio of the beauty department is also available for online shopping at www.ludwigbeck.de. Customers can expect a unique selection of almost 10.000 products of more than 100 luxury and niche cosmetics brands. WORMLAND: THEO WORMLAND GmbH & Co. KG, based in Hanover, generated sales in the amount of approximately EUR 80m (as per December 31, 2015) with 470 employees on a total area of about 14,800 sqm in 2015. The group of companies is based on two differing store concepts: WORMLAND and THEO. Today, THEO WORMLAND GmbH & Co. KG ranges among Germany's top men's fashion retailers with a total of 14 outlets. Investor Relations contact: esVedra consulting GmbH Metis Tarta t: +49 89 28 80 81 - 33 f: +49 89 28 80 81 - 49 mt@esvedragroup.com Group Accounting contact: LUDWIG BECK am Rathauseck Jens Schott t: +49 89 2 36 91 - 798 f: +49 89 2 36 91 - 600 jens.schott@ludwigbeck.de --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26.07.2016 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: Ludwig Beck am Rathauseck-Textilhaus Feldmeier AG Marienplatz 11 80331 München Germany Phone: +49 (0)89 2 36 91-0 Fax: +49 (0)89 2 36 91-600 E-mail: info@ludwigbeck.de Internet: www.ludwigbeck.de ISIN: DE0005199905 WKN: 519990 Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Munich; Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange End of News DGAP News Service --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 485705 26.07.2016