South African retail group Mr Price on Wednesday reported a 35% increase in headline earnings per share to 120,4 cents for its 2005 financial year ended March, from 89,1 cents in the previous financial year.
The group increased its final dividend per share by 71% to 60 cents, from 35 cents previously.
Revenue for the year increased by 12% to R4,566-billion from R4,064-billion.
Profit before taxation increased by 39% to R410,59-million, from R296,403-million.
Turning to prospects, the group previously set targets to achieve revenue of R6-billion and an operating margin of 10% in the 2007 financial year.
“The retail sector continued to benefit from the favourable environment of lower interest rates and good growth in consumer disposable income. The sector has also been experiencing a downward trend in semi-durable inflation since 2002,” Mr Price said in a statement.
Gross profit margins improved and this contributed to operating profit from continuing operations growing by 33% to R395,6-million.
The cash-division grew sales by 14% to R3,4-billion with marginal inflation and comparable sales growth of 10%. Operating profits from this division increased by 51% to R312,1-million.
Mr Price Weekend Material increased sales by 9% to R2,2-billion, with growth in comparable sales of 7%. The early-winter results suggest that this strong trend has continued into the new year.
The home chains (Mr Price Home and Sheet Street) increased sales by 25% with inflation of 3% and comparable sales growths of 17%.
The group said it remains committed to its expansion programme and has added 41 500 square metres since the launch of this strategy in 2002.
In the current financial period, Mr Price added 36 extra stores.
The overall results of these stores improved significantly, with a 57% increase in sales, an increase in operating profit of 79% and an annualised marginal return on operating assets of 75%.
Given these positive results, the group has set the further target of increasing its existing trading space by 50% by the 2010 financial year.
The Mr Price Weekend Material and Mr Price Home chains have been testing a credit offer in response to the continued demand from customers.
The credit division increased revenue by 11% to R1,2-billion, with comparable sales growth of 10%.
Miladys further improved its merchandise offer and introduced increased value into its pricing structure.
The Hub, with revenue growth of 6%, continued to be negatively impacted by the decline in interest rates, with a reduction in the interest received from trade receivables.
Galaxy grew revenue by 10% with comparable sales growth of 8% and reported another strong performance for the third consecutive financial period. The credit division ended the year with 272 stores.
With improved stock turn, net stocks ended only 5% higher, notwithstanding the sales growth of 13%.
The total trade and other receivables were 3% higher at R333-million.
Trade debtors grew by 8% and remained tightly controlled, with bad debts below budgeted levels. — I-Net Bridge