Woolworths releases financial results for 2020/2021

Commentary on performance

The group reports a strong operational and financial performance, notwithstanding the impact of Covid-19 over the past year. Management actions to stimulate trade, manage margins, contain costs and pay down debt have resulted in a pleasing set of results and a stronger balance sheet.

Group turnover and concession sales for the 52 weeks ended June 27 2021 (current year or the period) increased 9.7% compared with the 52 weeks ended June 28 2020 (previous year or comparable period) and 5.9% in constant currency terms.

Trading conditions over the financial year are not directly comparable to the previous year, given the extensive impact of the pandemic.

Trade across the group continued to improve, notwithstanding uncertainty and business disruption, worsened by the delay of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, further outbreaks and related lockdowns across SA and Australia. The improved trade performance, coupled with strong working capital management and the proceeds arising from the property sales in Australia, resulted in positive cash flows and a significant reduction in net debt across the group.

The following factors contributed to the group results and financial position:

• The sale of the Bourke Street Mens and Elizabeth Street properties in David Jones were completed in the current year, resulting in net proceeds of A$120m and A$504.4m, which were used to repay debt and generated profits on sale of A$23.8m and A$19m, respectively;
• Covid-19 necessitated an assessment of the carrying values of assets, resulting in impairment charges of R364m (before tax); and
• The renegotiation of various leases, mainly in David Jones, resulted in lease exit and modification gains under the international financial reporting standards (IFRS) 16 of R591m (before tax).

Earnings per share (EPS) was 435.1c compared with 58.2c for the previous year, while headline EPS (HEPS) and adjusted diluted HEPS increased 212.5% and 102.9% over the previous year to 374.4c and 341.6c, respectively.

SA

SA’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic has been set back by the onset of the third wave towards the end of the fourth quarter. The consequential level 4 restrictions further dampened already-weak consumer confidence, which is expected to limit discretionary spend. Furthermore, the recent civil unrest and related widespread destruction of property in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng will also affect economic conditions and consumer sentiment. The group has reopened two stores to date, with a further eight expected to be opened within the next four weeks. The Maxmead Distribution Centre has also resumed full operations and is continuing to work with Woolworths insurance assessors regarding its claims.

Woolworths Food

Turnover and concession sales for the current year grew by 6.9%, and by 5.7% in comparable stores. The Woolworths Food business grew both market share and volumes during the period despite the high base set in the previous year driven by stockpiling ahead of the first lockdown. Price movement was 5.2%, with underlying product inflation of 4.9%, while net space increased by 0.6%. Sales in the second half of the current year grew by 3.2%, and by 16.9% over a two-year period.

Woolworths continues to invest in price in key product categories to improve its value proposition, while remaining focused on product quality, innovation and convenience. Online sales grew by 117.9% over the current year, contributing 2.3% to its SA food sales. This was supported by the expanded click-and-collect offering and the rollout of its on-demand delivery service Woolies Dash.

Gross profit margin of 24.5% was 0.4% lower than the previous year as a result of further price investment and the growing online contribution which were partly offset by volume rebates and distribution cost efficiencies. Expenses, including additional Covid-19 related costs, grew by 6.1%. Adjusted operating profit increased by 3.9% to R3.009m, returning a post IFRS 16 operating margin of 8% for the current year.

Woolworths Fashion, Beauty and Home (FBH) 

Total revenue for the current year increased by 3.5% and by 4.2% in comparable stores, while sales in the second half of the current year grew by 24.1% on the previous year’s non-comparable base. The sales performance of the Woolworths FBH business continues to be affected by several factors, including the constrained environment, the decline in demand for formalwear, as well as our initiatives to streamline our private label offerings and rationalise unproductive space.

Price movement in FBH was 7.5%, and 5.3% in Fashion, due to the higher promotional activity in the previous year. Online sales grew by 114.4%, contributing 4.1% to SA sales. The reduction in net space of 6.4% has translated into improved trading densities.

Gross profit margin increased by 1.5% to 45.5%, as a result of a higher level of clearance in the base. Expenses grew by 5.4%, with additional Covid-19 related costs, as well as UIF TERS and rent relief in the base. Adjusted operating profit increased by 14.2% to R1.083m, resulting in a post IFRS 16 operating margin of 8.4% for the current year.

Woolworths Financial Services (WFS)

The Woolworths Financial Services book reflected a year-on-year increase of 0.7% at the end of June 2021 (2% at June 30 2020). The impairment rate for the 12 months ended June 30 2021 was 5.3%, compared with 7.9% for the 12 months ended June 30 2020, reflecting the underlying strength of the book, as well as focus on customer relief and collection. Net profit after tax for the year increased 16.8% to R118m.

Australia and New Zealand

In Australia, stronger economic fundamentals, improved consumer confidence and restrictions on international travel, supported inward-focused consumption and buoyed retail spend. This was despite the intermittent snap lockdowns across major cities and an extended three-month lockdown in the state of Victoria during the first half of the current year and a further lockdown in the last quarter. Foot count in central business districts and airport locations remains well below pre-Covid-19 levels.

David Jones (DJ)

DJ turnover and concession sales over the period increased 2.3% and by 0.9% in comparable stores, with second-half sales up 17.1%. Online sales increased 24.4% and contributed 17.3% to total sales for the current year. In line with the stated intention of exiting unproductive space, trading space was reduced by 6.3%. Sales in the Elizabeth Street flagship store grew 16.6% during the current year, notwithstanding the lower foot count in the Sydney CBD.

Gross profit margin was 2.2% higher than the previous year, at 35.2%, due to reduced markdowns and an improved inventory position. Expenses increased marginally by 0.3% on the previous year, with government support and rent relief in line with the previous year, and additional costs from the leaseback of the Elizabeth Street and Bourke Street Men stores. Space reduction and other cost reduction initiatives contributed to lower costs. Adjusted operating profit of A$84m was 282% up on the previous year, resulting in a post-IFRS 16 operating margin of 4.0%.

Country Road Group (CRG)

CRG delivered strong sales growth of 13.5% over the current year and 15.3% in comparable stores, with second-half sales up 39.5%. This result was underpinned by the robust performance of the Country Road brand and through refreshed product offerings across all brands. Online sales increased 30.7% and contributed 29.7% to total sales, while trading space was reduced by 2.8% for the current year.

Gross profit margin increased 2.2% to 60.8% due to increased full-price sales. Expenses for the current year reduced by 0.4%, mainly from store closures and a reduction in discretionary spend, as well as higher levels of government support and rent relief in the current year compared with the previous year. Adjusted operating profit increased 158.3% to A$155m, resulting in a post-IFRS 16 operating margin of 14.7%.

Outlook

The trading outlook in both regions is uncertain and will be affected by further Covid-19 waves and resulting lockdowns and restrictions, as well as the slow pace of vaccination in both regions. In Australia, lockdowns are curtailing trade in our brick-and-mortar stores, while SA is in the middle of the third wave and the after-effects of recent civil unrest are also likely to be felt for some time.

Nonetheless, we have a stronger foundation and will continue to respond tactically to any immediate challenges, while remaining steadfast in the execution of longer-term objectives.

Woolworths would like to express its gratitude to all its employees, particularly those on the front line, who courageously put the needs of their colleagues and customers ahead of their own. It would also like to thank its suppliers and partners for their commitment to our business, as well as its customers for their continued support. The past year has again shown the resilience of the business, driven by the passion and commitment of all its people.

Any reference to future financial performance included in this announcement has not been reviewed or reported on by the group’s external auditors and does not constitute an earnings forecast.

R Bagattini, group CEO; and H Brody, chair.
(Cape Town, August 25 2021)

Dividend declaration

The board of directors have declared a final gross cash dividend per ordinary share (dividend) based on a payout ratio of 60% of second-half headline earnings of the combined Woolworths SA business segments (FBH, Food and WFS).

The board has declared a final gross cash dividend per ordinary share (dividend) of 66c (52.8c net of dividend withholding tax) for the 52 weeks ended June 27 2021, a 25.8% decrease on the previous year’s 89c per share. The dividend has been declared from reserves and therefore does not constitute a distribution of “contributed tax capital” as defined in the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962. A dividend withholding tax of 20% will be applicable to all shareholders who are not exempt.

The issued share capital at the declaration date is 1,049,977,230 ordinary shares. The salient dates for the dividend will be as follows:

• Last day of trade to receive a dividend: September 14 2021
• Shares commence trading “ex” dividend: September 15 2021
• Record date: September 17 2021
• Payment date: September 20 2021

Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between September 15 and 17 2021, both days inclusive. Ordinary shareholders who hold dematerialised shares will have their accounts at their CSDP or broker credited or updated on September 20 2021.

Where applicable, dividends in respect of certificated shares will be transferred electronically to shareholders’ bank accounts on the payment date. Where the transfer secretaries do not have the banking details of any certificated shareholders, the cash dividend will be held in trust by the transfer secretaries pending receipt of the relevant certificated shareholder’s banking details, after which the cash dividend will be paid via electronic transfer into the personal bank account of the certificated shareholder.

CA Reddiar, group company secretary
(Cape Town, August 25 2021)

Changes to the board of directors and board committees 

As announced on Sens on August 23 2021, Zyda Rylands has resigned from the board and as a member of the WHL risk and compliance, social and ethics and sustainability committees with effect from September 30 2021.

The board expresses its appreciation to Rylands for her valuable contributions as an executive director.

This article was paid for by Woolworths.