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Esprit Q1 turnover slips 15 per cent to HK $4.7 billion

By Rajiv MenonHong Kong
1 min read
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Clothing retailer Esprit Holdings Ltd reported a 14.9 percent slide in first-quarter turnover on Monday as sales in Europe lagged and it cut its store footprint.

Turnover in Hong Kong dollar terms fell to HK$4.7 billion in the three months ended Sept. 30, while the company cut its total controlled floor space by 7.6 percent.

Turnover in Germany, which is the company’s biggest market and accounts for nearly half of its business, fell 15.5 percent. Turnover in the rest Europe – its second biggest market – fell 15.4 percent.

In local currency terms, turnover fell 0.4 percent.

The majority of the floor space reduction was in Esprit’s wholesale business. Retail floor space was reduced by just 1.3 percent and comp store sales growth was 10.8 percent.

Esprit shares closed up 3.54 percent at HK$6.72 on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange earlier in the day.

Questions & Answers

Q.

Which market accounts for the largest share of Esprit's business?

A.

Germany is Esprit's biggest market, representing nearly half of its total business. However, turnover in this region still saw a significant fall of 15.5 percent during the first quarter.

Q.

How much did Esprit's overall store floor space decrease in the first quarter?

A.

Esprit reduced its total controlled floor space by 7.6 percent in the first quarter. Most of this reduction occurred within the company's wholesale business operations.

Q.

What was the performance of Esprit's existing stores, despite the overall turnover decline?

A.

Despite the overall slide in turnover, Esprit reported a positive comparable store sales growth of 10.8 percent. This indicates stronger performance from established retail locations.

Q.

How did Esprit's share price react on the day the turnover figures were announced?

A.

Esprit's shares closed up 3.54 percent at HK$6.72 on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. This positive movement occurred earlier on the same day the first-quarter turnover figures were reported.

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