DGAP-News: Leifheit AG: Sales on par with previous year despite Euro crisis (english)

Leifheit AG: Sales on par with previous year despite Euro crisisDGAP-News: Leifheit AG / Key word(s): Development of SalesLeifheit AG: Sales on par with previous year despite Euro crisis14.02.2013 / 09:50———————————————————————Leifheit: Sales on par with previous year despite Euro crisis – Sales increase in the Brand Business – Operating result (EBIT) rises by 10 percent – POS excellence is the lead topic at the Ambiente 2013Frankfurt/Nassau, 14 February 2013 – Despite the crises in the SouthernEuropean countries, the Leifheit Group, one of the leading European brandsuppliers of household articles, has accomplished to increase its sales inthe business year 2012 according to the preliminary calculations. Thegroup’s turnover climbed from EUR222.1 million to EUR224.2 million, whichis a plus of nearly one percent compared to the previous year. Adjusted bya one-time consolidation effect in the year 2012, the turnover was on parwith the previous year.There were strong differences in performance among the main sales regionsin Europe during the year 2012. In the focus countries of Central Europe,such as Germany, France, the Netherlands or Austria, Leifheit has generatedclearly positive growth rates in part. Almost all Southern Europeancountries in contrast have developed regressively in the course of thepersisting Euro and debt crisis. However, double digit sales increasescould be achieved in the Eastern European region.With a plus in sales of 4.2 percent, which rose to EUR177.7 million, theBrand Business has closed the business year 2012 successfully. Adjusted bythe special effect, growth was at 2.5 percent. The portion of the turnoverfrom the most important business segment that holds together the brandsLeifheit and Soehnle increased to 79.3 percent. Most of all, the e-commercesales channel contributed to the growth as Leifheit is continuouslyexpanding it further. The company reported a plus of 25.0 percent in thissegment with an increase to EUR 13.8 million.In the second segment, the Volume Business, sales declined by 9.9 percentto EUR46.5 million. Among the reasons for this were the stagnating projectbusiness in the USA as well as turnover missing at the French subsidiaries,Birambeau and Herby.Significant growth of the resultThe group’s result has once again taken a positive turn in the businessyear 2012. According to preliminary calculations, the company expects aconsiderable increase in the EBIT of about ten percent compared to previousyear’s result as adjusted by extraordinary effects. The company willpublish the final, detailed figures of the business year 2012 on 9 April2013.Optimal presentation of strong brandsThe continuation of the qualitative growth by a comprehensive POSExcellence Initiative is at centre stage for Leifheit at this year’sAmbiente trade fair hosted in Frankfurt from 15 to 19 February. On a floorspace of 160 square metres, Leifheit is presenting its new brand shop forthe first time in the course of the Ambiente to showcase the entire productportfolio of the Leifheit and Soehnle brands, as 70 percent of purchasedecisions are made at the point of sale. A customer-oriented productpresentation and providing quick orientation on the sales shelf isessential in sparing consumers unnecessary searches and making the purchasedecision as easy as possible for them.’The success of our new POS concept is based on the combination ofhigh-quality products, packaging drawing strong attention, an intelligentlogic for searching the shelves and of course an efficient brandcommunication. The aim is to enable the consumer to experience our productwith all senses’, says Georg Thaller, Chairman of the Board of Directors atLeifheit AG. With the attractive mixture of optimised shelves, productpresentation and accompanying communication, Leifheit supports thetrading-up strategies of its trade partners and ensures a quicker productturnaround, higher sales and an improved value creation.Product innovation at the AmbienteAt the Ambiente, the company is furthermore presenting a variety of productinnovations in the four categories of cleaning, laundry care, kitchen andwellbeing. Among them is the new Clean Twist System with integratedspinning mechanism in the shaft and the Varioline laundry rack that ishighly adjustable owing to its variable drying rods. Tedious windowcleaning becomes easy as 1-2-3 with the practical Leifheit battery poweredwindow vacuum cleaner, which received the Plus X Award. In the kitchencategory, Leifheit relies on foldable and space-saving fresh storagecontainers. In addition, four new clever kitchen helpers were awarded the2013 Kitchen Innovation Prize. Health and fitness conscious consumers willbe pleased about the new generation of Soehnle Web-Connect scales. Theyenable keeping an eye on the determined weight at all times as it is madetransparent via an internet portal or smart phone application.Positive outlook into the business year 2013The Leifheit Group has shown a positive development in the past yeardespite the difficult economic environment. The Chairman of the Board ofDirectors, Georg Thaller, is optimistic also for the current business year2013: ‘With such a solid financial basis, leading market position, highbrand recognition, innovative product ideas and sales concepts, we areorganised optimally for the future. At the present time we continue tomaintain the long-term goal of additional sales and results increases.’About LeifheitLeifheit AG founded in 1959 is one of the leading European brand suppliersof household items. The company stands for high-quality, innovativeproducts with great utility and pioneering design in the segments ofcleaning, laundry care, kitchen and well-being. Leifheit and Soehnle areamong the best known brands in Germany. Other than in the brand business,Leifheit AG operates in the service-oriented volume business via its Frenchsubsidiaries Birambeau and Herby. The Leifheit Group including itsinternational branches employs a staff of about 1,000.Contact:Leifheit AGD-56377 +49 2604 977218End of Corporate News———————————————————————14.02.2013 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP – acompany of EquityStory AG.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.DGAP’s Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de———————————————————————Language: English Company: Leifheit AG Leifheitstraße 56377 Nassau Germany Phone: 02604 977-0 Fax: 02604 977-340 E-mail: Internet: www.leifheit.com ISIN: DE0006464506 WKN: 646450 Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service ——————————————————————— 201431 14.02.2013Weitere Informationen: www.dpa-AFX.de