I.T flags big loss as Covid-19 impacts shoppers’ enthusiasm

Multibrand Hong Kong fashion retailer I.T Limited has warned shareholders it will likely post a loss of at least US$38.7 million for the six months to August, such has been the impact of the Covid-19 on sales.

Chairman Sham Kar Wai said in a letter to shareholders that the Covid-19 pandemic had led to a decline in consumer-spending enthusiasm across the world. While it has offered extra discounts to boost sales volume amid “an incredibly difficult trading environment” sales were down substantially.

This is the third profit warning the company has issued this calendar year, following earlier announcements in July and August. It is based on initial figures and subjects to change before final results are reported tomorrow, (October 29).

“Although during the period ended 31 August, the group took rapid and decisive action to reduce costs considerably, the savings in operating costs were not sufficient to offset the decline in sales and gross margin,” he said.

August’s likely half-year loss follows a deficit of $9.2 million in the same period last year.

I.T Group operates its own brands, including Chocolate and 5cm, concept stores Izzue and Double-Park; international brands it has local licenses for including Kurt Geiger and Camper; and A Bathing Ape, which the company rescued from Japanese owners in 2011.