Ad-hoc | 7 May 2002 08:53

Wolford AG english

Turnover of Wolford AG in Financial Year 2001/2002 Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– The turnover trend has stabilised. In FY 2001/02 the Wolford Group generated consolidated turnover of TEUR 137,928 (down 4%) (previous FY: TEUR 143,875). Innovative products, e.g. Long Distance, with 300,000 units sold, coupled with two-figure turnover growth in the trend-setter segments legwear and lingerie, are underpinning the stabilisation in turnover. Compared to the prior year, brand turnover was off 4%. Turnover by markets shows Italy (up 23%), Scandinavia (up 9%), CEE (up 6%) and the Netherlands (up 5%) on a positive trend. Turnover declined in the following markets: Germany, UK by 7%, France by 6%, Switzerland by 2%, USA by 1%. In Austria (down 21%) and Far East (down 15%), restructuring measures had a negative impact on turnover. In the course of these consolidating measures, 34 Wolford boutiques were closed in FY 2001/02, 21 new ones opened. Wolford boutiques world-wide as of 30 April 2002: 248. Turnover at Wolford boutiques was slightly below the previous year’s level (off 1%). The boutiques’ share in Group turnover increased from 36.4% to 37.2%. Wolford-owned boutiques numbered 53 units at the end of April 2002 (prior year: 55 units). Turnover at the Wolford-owned outlets grew by 4%, with their contribution to Group turnover rising from 24.8% to 25.5%. The department store distribution channel exhibited a stable turnover trend: Spain (+12%), Germany (+11%). Department stores accounted for 21.8% of turnover, up from 21.0%. Turnover in multi-brand trade fell by 9% in FY 2001/02. In brand turnover by product groups, legwear’s share increased from 48% to 52%. This good growth performance was driven above all by trend-setting products, where turnover increased by 31%. Lingerie, a recently introduced product line, almost doubled its turnover, growing by 92%. The outlook for FY 2002/03: Continuation of consistent improvement in profitability. The consolidation drive has strengthened both the substance and quality of Wolford’s distribution and production structure. Good response of the world market to the fall/winter 2002/03 collection (shipping from June 2002). Pre- order growth as of 30 April 2002: 8%. The launch of a world novelty in the legwear line (the world’s first sheers made from natural fibres) has begun successfully. The product will ship to distributors worldwide from Aug. 2002. The figures given above are preliminary and unaudited. end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 07.05.2002 Issuer’s information/explanatory remarks concerning this ad-hoc-announcement: The annual press conference on FY 2001/02 will be held on 16 July 2002. www.wolford.com, investor@wolford.com Shareholdeer hotline: phone:+43/5574/690-1213, fax:+43/5574/690-1219 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 083400; ISIN: AT0000834007; Index: ATX Listed: Amtlicher Handel in Wien; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, München und Stuttgart 070853 Mai 02