ABN 82 000 403 896
Head Office
3-29 Birnie Avenue
Lidcombe NSW 2141
Phone: (02) 9748 4000
Facsimile: (02) 9748 4022
Press Release11th August 2011
New stores underpin profit growthYear ended June 2011 | Year ended June 2010 | Change | |
$’000 | $’000 | % | |
Sales revenue | 100,015 | 96,365 | 3.8% |
Profit before tax | 16,809 | 16,079 | 4.5% |
Net profit after tax | 11,608 | 11,255 | 3.1% |
Australian furniture retailer Nick Scali Limited ("the Company") (ASX:NCK) has today reported a record net profit before tax of $16.8 million (after tax $11.6 million) for the year ended 30
June 2011; an increase of 4.5% on the previous year.1
The Company continues to have a strong internal focus on the management of costs. Increases in operating costs include those incurred to establish new retail brands, strengthened people resources, additional marketing support, costs relating to new premises, and brand protection legal action.
During the year the Company opened a further two Nick Scali branded stores, in Jindalee Queensland, and in the new premises purchased by the Company at Alexandria, NSW. This is a continuation of the growth strategy to expand the Nick Scali brand through the opening of additional stores. At the half year the company indicated its intention to develop a furniture retail brand called Sofas2Go targeted at entry level consumers and first home buyers. The first two stores opened in March and June 2011 in NSW. Mr Scali explained, “Whilst it is early days, we have had a very good response from customers to the store experience, product offering and price points. With the first stores open and trading well we have confidence that this brand has the ability to deliver future growth for the Company, capitalising on the benefits of leveraging the existing purchasing, distribution and support infrastructure of the business”. The Company has also secured the Australasian rights for the premium Italian retail brand Chateau d’Ax. Aimed at the top end of the market and represented in 30 countries worldwide, Chateau d’Ax has a strong international reputation for high end quality and contemporary styled furniture. Adding to the over 300 stores worldwide, Nick Scali opened the first Australian Chateau d’Ax at Moore Park NSW in June 2011.OutlookIn the first half of FY12 the Company is committed to open two Nick Scali and three Sofas2Go stores. During the second half of FY12 it is expected that further stores will open for both Nick Scali and Sofas2Go. In the long term the Company is targeting a store network of 125
Sofas2Go, 75 Nick Scali and 21 Chateau d’Ax stores across Australia and New Zealand. July 2011 trading produced positive growth in written orders, following a poor FY11 fourth quarter where orders were down on the previous corresponding period. The directors believe that trading conditions are likely to remain difficult with consumer spending susceptible to negative sentiment, including concerns about interest rate increases, the potential impact of rising costs on household budgets, and global economic instability. Within these volatile market conditions profit growth in the coming year is difficult to predict despite the store roll-out programme and development of the new retail brands. For further information contact:Anthony Scali | or | David Clarke |
Managing Director | Chief Financial Officer |
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