26.03.2014
zooplus AG DE0005111702
DGAP-News: zooplus AG: Positive earnings before taxes in the financial year 2013 on the back of continued strong sales growth
DGAP-News: zooplus AG / Key word(s): Final Results/Miscellaneous
zooplus AG: Positive earnings before taxes in the financial year 2013
on the back of continued strong sales growth
26.03.2014 / 07:23
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- Total sales up 27% to EUR 426.9 m (previous year: EUR 335.6 m)
- Earnings forecast exceeded: earnings before taxes (EBT) of EUR 3.8 m
(previous year: EUR -2.6 million)
- Positive outlook for 2014: Total sales of at least EUR 500 m with EBT of
around EUR 6 m
Munich, March 26, 2014 - zooplus AG (WKN 511170, ISIN DE0005111702, ticker
symbol ZO1), Europe's leading online retailer of pet supplies, can look
back on upbeat development following the publication of its final results
for the financial year 2013. The company was once again able to record
dynamic growth in total sales of 27% to EUR 426.9 m (previous year: EUR
335.6 m). At the same time, the earnings situation was substantially
improved: Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA) came in at EUR 4.9 m (previous year: EUR -1.8 m), while earnings
before taxes (EBT) rose from EUR -2.6 m in 2012 to EUR 3.8 m in 2013.
"These pleasing results were primarily achieved thanks to our excellent
market position and the high acceptance of our business model, as well as
significant efficiency improvements in logistics and marketing," explains
Dr. Cornelius Patt, CEO of zooplus AG.
This enabled the company to achieve double-digit growth rates in sales
across all countries, including Germany. The basis for this was an
improvement in customer loyalty in all countries year-on-year as well as
significantly increased sales per customer. In addition to the positive
sales development, significant efficiency improvements in the cost
structure contributed to the positive earnings development. At 28.8% in
relation to total sales, other expenses - which include the major expense
items logistics and marketing - were substantially lower than the previous
year figure of 32.3%. On the back of continued high sales and new customer
growth, expenses for marketing were not only reduced in relative terms but
also in absolute terms by EUR 4.6 m compared to the previous year. Opening
a new logistics center in Poland helped to further improve efficiency in
logistics costs. Expenses for personnel, administration and interest
remained stable on a par with the previous year. Due to the growth-oriented
pricing policy, the gross margin in 2013 fell from 36.2% to 34.5%, which
was however more than offset by the improvement in the cost structure. "In
this way we were able to further improve our outstanding value for money,
continue to boost customer loyalty and in doing so sustain our
market-leading position in European online retailing for pet supplies. The
clear improvement in earnings figures coupled with the continued high
growth rate confirms our strategy," says Dr. Cornelius Patt.
With equity of EUR 36.7 m as of December 31, 2013 (December 31, 2012: EUR
33.9 m) and an equity ratio of around 44%, zooplus is above the internal
planning corridor of between 30% and 40%. Total assets were recorded at EUR
83.7 m as of the balance sheet date (December 31, 2012: EUR 65.4 m). This
is primarily attributable to the building up of inventories at the new
logistics center in Poland. Return on capital employed (ROCE) came in
clearly positive with 13.3% following a negative figure in the previous
year.
Dr. Cornelius Patt views the financial year 2013 as highly positive overall
and offers an outlook for 2014: "The financial year 2013 confirmed the
sustainability of our growth strategy. We want to continue to build on this
in 2014. Our aim is total sales of at least EUR 500 m as well as EBT of
around EUR 6 m."
The full report for the financial year 2013 will be made available for
download during the course of the day on the website investors.zooplus.com.
Company profile:
zooplus was founded in 1999 and has established itself as Europe's leading
online retailer for pet products, measured by sales and total sales. In
2013, the latter amounted to EUR 427 m and has therefore increased
seven-fold since 2007. The company's business model has already been
introduced successfully in 24 European countries. zooplus offers products
for all pet varieties. Its product range comprises foods (dry and wet pet
foods as well as pet food supplements) and pet accessories (such as cat
trees, dog baskets and toys) in all price categories. In addition to a
selection of over 8,000 products, zooplus customers benefit from a range of
interactive online content and community features. Pet supplies is a key
market segment within the European retail landscape. In 2012, sales of more
than EUR 22 bn were recorded within the pet supplies industry in the
European Union. The ongoing "humanization" of pets in key industrialized
countries means that pet owners' purchasing behavior is undergoing profound
change and moving towards healthcare, wellness and other related premium
products. In addition, continued strong growth is expected for eCommerce in
Europe per se. zooplus is therefore anticipating continued dynamic growth
for the future.
Online at: www.zooplus.de
Investor relations / media contact:
Dirk Ulmer
cometis AG
Unter den Eichen 7
65195 Wiesbaden
Phone: +49 (0)611-205855-24
Fax: +49 (0)611-205855-66
[email protected]
Web: http://www.cometis.de/
End of Corporate News
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Language: English
Company: zooplus AG
Sonnenstraße 15
80331 München
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)89 95 006 - 100
Fax: +49 (0)89 95 006 - 500
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.zooplus.de
ISIN: DE0005111702
WKN: 511170
Indices: SDAX
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard);
Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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259553 26.03.2014
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