Character Group PLC
13 September 2006
Issued by Citigate Dewe Rogerson Limited, Birmingham
Date: Wednesday 13 September 2006
Embargoed: 7.00 am
The Character Group plc
Designers, developers and distributors of toys, games and gifts
Pre-Close Trading Update
The Board of The Character Group ('the Company' or 'the Group') today provides
an update for the Company's results for the year ended 31 August 2006, ahead of
entering into the two month close period, prior to the announcement of its
preliminary results which is expected to take place at the end of November 2006.
The Directors are pleased to report that the vast majority of deliveries
scheduled to be completed at the very end of August were distributed on time
with the net impact being that trading in the final days of the financial year
ended 31 August 2006 exceeded even the very satisfactory finish to the year
anticipated by the Board and referred to in the RNS announcement made on 22
August 2006.
As a result of this strong finish to the year, the Board anticipates that the
Group will further exceed the recently revised market expectations for the
financial year to August 2006.
The current new financial year (ending 31 August 2007) has started strongly with
our order book looking healthy and our major product lines performing well at
retail. We are particularly pleased with the performance of our Dr Who, Scooby
Doo, Gr8 Gear, Peppa Pig and Robotic product ranges.
Last week the Robosapien V2, the super-intelligent robot which is the closest
thing to a real life companion, was voted Number 1 Toy in the Duracell European
Toy Survey 2006 (the only Pan-European Toy Survey that asks the users of toys -
children - to nominate their favourites from toys available in store for
Christmas 2006).
In addition, after only three weeks of the new series having been aired on GMTV,
we are encouraged by the growth in sales at retail of our Biker Mice from Mars
range.
The Board is confident that following recent changes to the Directorate at both
Main Board and subsidiary level, the Group is well positioned to continue its
development.
Enquiries:
The Character Group plc Charles Stanley Securities Citigate Dewe Rogerson Ltd
Richard King, Executive Chairman Rick Thompson Fiona Tooley
Kiran Shah, Group Finance Director Philip Davies
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8949 5898 Tel: +44 (0) 20 7149 6457 Tel: +44 (0) 121 455 8370
Mobile: +44 (0) 7836 250150(RK) Mobile:+44 (0) 7785 703523
+44 (0) 7956 278522(KS)
www.thecharacter.com
www.characteronline.com
CCT.L
Sector: Media, AIM
Notes to Editors:
About The Character Group plc
The Character Group plc designs, develops and distributes toys, games and
giftware, principally to the UK although it has an ever increasing exposure to
international markets.
Revenues are generated from a mix of product with over 50% designed and
developed in-house either under the Group's own brand or under licence with the
balance being derived from third party distribution. Notable product lines are
Dr Who, Scooby Doo, Biker Mice from Mars, Peppa Pig, GR8 Gear, Robosapien,
Roboraptor and Robopet. For a more comprehensive view of the product portfolio,
please refer to www.characteronline.com.
During the first six months of the current financial year (ending 31 August
2006), The Character Group underwent a major reorganisation with the disposal of
its Digital Business in February 2006. The structure is now designed to maximise
the strength of, and focus on, the core business of Toys, Games and Gifts.
www.thecharacter.com
CCT.L
Sector: Media, AIM
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange