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the leap year 2024. This affected sales growth negatively by an estimated 4-5
percentage points.
The underlying gross margin improved in Norway, although reported figures were
negatively affected by unrealised currency losses on hedging contracts. Stronger
local currencies will isolated have a positive effect on cost of goods sold and
the gross margin. However, as the group practices a six-month hedging strategy
it will take some time before this materialises.
In Sweden, the transformation of ÖoB continues as planned, with continued
clearance sale cannibalising other sales and impacting the gross margin
negatively. The clearance sale leaves the company with a higher-quality
inventory and better prepared for category upgrades, renewal of the product
range and store remodelling. Europris remains confident in its ambition to
increase sales by SEK 1 billion to SEK 5 billion by 2028, with an EBIT margin of
5 per cent.
Financial highlights for the first quarter 2025:
Please note: financials for the new segment Sweden were included with effect
from 1 May 2024. Comparisons on an organic level exclude the ÖoB-acquisition,
meaning that organic figures are comparable to last year’s group figures.
· Group sales of NOK 2,938 million, up 45.0 per cent
· Organic sales growth of 1.2 per cent - estimated negative effect of 4-5
percentage points from timing of Easter and one less calendar day compared to
the leap year 2024
· Gross margin of 38.7 per cent (43.3 per cent), mainly reflecting ÖoB
acquisition and unrealised currency effects
· Organic gross margin reduction of 0.4 per cent, but improvement of 1.7
percentage points excluding unrealised currency hedging effects
· Opex-to-sales ratio of 31.1 per cent (29.5 per cent)
· Organic opex-to-sales ratio increase of 1.0 per cent
· EBIT-loss of NOK 37 million, including loss of NOK 115 million in ÖoB
· Organic EBIT decline of NOK 29 million but improvement of NOK 14 million
excluding unrealised currency hedging effects
· Net profit loss of NOK 80 million
“I’m pleased with the development in Norway. We show sales growth despite the
later Easter and one less calendar day. Excluding currency hedging effects there
is also an improvement in the gross margin, and operating costs are well under
control”, comments CEO Espen Eldal.
“In Sweden, our transformation is progressing according to plan. We’re laying
the groundwork for long-term success, with clearance activities paving the way
for upgrading categories, revitalising the product range, and comprehensive
store remodelling throughout 2025 and into 2026. Turnarounds take time, but we
remain confident that we will realise a great value opportunity over the years
to come,” says Eldal.
Total operating income amounted to NOK 2,938 million (2,026), with the 45 per
cent increase mainly reflecting the acquisition of ÖoB. Organic sales amounted
to NOK 2,050 million, an increase of 1.2 per cent. Negative effect on organic
sales growth from the timing of Easter and one less calendar day compared to the
leap year last year is estimated to 4-5 percentage points.
Gross profit amounted to NOK 1,136 million (878), with a gross margin of 38.7
per cent (43.3). The gross margin decline reflects the inclusion of ÖoB, which
had a dilutive margin effect of 4.2 percentage points. In addition, the group
recognised a net unrealised loss of NOK 34 million on hedging contracts and
accounts payable, compared to a net unrealised gain of NOK 19 million in the
same period last year. This impacted the gross margin change negatively by 2.1
percentage points. The organic gross margin declined slightly to 42.9 per cent
(43.3) but improved 1.7 percentage points excluding unrealised currency hedging
effects.
Operating expenditure (Opex) was NOK 913 million (597), with organic opex
increasing 4.8 per cent to NOK 626 million. The number of directly operated
stores increased from 258 to 264. The opex-to-sales ratio was 31.1 per cent
(29.5), whereas the organic opex-to-sales ratio was 30.5 per cent (29.5).
Negative EBIT of NOK 37 million (positive 107), corresponding to an EBIT margin
of -1.3 per cent (+5.3), impacted by an EBIT loss of NOK 115 million in ÖoB.
Organic EBIT was NOK 78 million, a decrease of NOK 29 million or 26.6 per cent,
with an organic EBIT margin of 3.8 per cent (5.3). Excluding impact from
unrealised currency hedging, organic EBIT increased by NOK 14 million.
Net debt amounted to NOK 5,014 million (3,455). Adjusted for lease liabilities,
net debt was NOK 1,521 million (841). Cash and liquidity reserves for the group
amounted to NOK 1,430 million (1,719).
Outlook
The geopolitical climate for international trade and cooperation is in uncharted
territory, with increased uncertainty for development in interest rates,
currencies and potentially cross-border sourcing. The group monitors the
situation closely.
The Europris concept has remained resilient in challenging times for many
consumers, and the group is confident that the ÖoB concept in Sweden will
attract more customers and sales with upgraded categories and a renewed product
range in the years to come.
The average consumer saw improving real wages last year and wage negotiations
indicate that this will be the case also this year. However, consumer sentiment
also depends on debt and interest levels. While interest rates have been lowered
in Sweden, the expected rate cuts in Norway have been postponed. Although this
might affect consumer spending negatively, the group believes it is well
positioned in the prevailing macro conditions and is well prepared for the
upcoming spring and summer season.
The integration of ÖoB in Sweden is progressing according to plan, and the first
pilot with a fully remodelled store is expected to be ready before summer. The
category upgrades will continue throughout 2025 and 2026 and will improve the
customer experience and attract new customer segments over time.
The group remains confident in its long-term ambitions to grow ÖoB to SEK 5
billion in revenue by the end of 2028, with an EBIT margin of 5 per cent for the
existing store portfolio.
Practicalities:
The quarterly report, presentation materials and spreadsheet with key figures
will also be available on the website https://investor.europris.no. CEO Espen
Eldal and CFO Stina C Byre will present the group’s results at 08:30 CEST at
Pareto Securities, Dronning Mauds gate 3 i Oslo, Norway. The presentation will
be held in English and transferred via live webcast and will be made available
through the website at https://investor.europris.no. It will be possible to ask
questions via the web.
For further information please contact:
Espen Eldal, CEO, +47 48 29 24 24, espen.eldal@europris.no
Stina C Byre, CFO, +47 41 10 58 08, stina.byre@europris.no
About Europris:
Europris is Norway’s largest discount variety retailer by sales. The group
offers its customers a broad range of quality owned brands and brand name
merchandise. Its merchandise is sold through the Europris chain, which consists
of a network of 285 stores throughout Norway. Of these, 264 are directly owned
by the group and 21 operate as franchise stores. In May 2024, the group took
full ownership of the Swedish discount variety retailer ÖoB, which consists of a
network of 93 stores in Sweden. In addition, Europris is full or partial owner
of the e-commerce companies Lekekassen, Strikkemekka and Designhandel. The
group’s head office is located in Fredrikstad, Norway.
This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU
Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant
to section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
This stock exchange announcement was published by Trine Engløkken, head of
investor relations at Europris ASA, on 10 April 2025 at 07:00 CEST.
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