FORM 6-K

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of October 2003

 

GUCCI GROUP N.V.

 

Rembrandt Tower
Amstelplein 1
1096 HA Amsterdam
The Netherlands

(Exact name of registrant and address of principal executive offices)

 

[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.]

 

Form 20-F  ý       Form 40-F  o

 

[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.]

 

Yes  o       No  ý

 

[If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):]

 

Enclosure:  Press Release dated October 15, 2003

 

 



 

 

 

 

APPROVED BY:

 

Robert Singer

 

Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer

 

Gucci Group NV

 

GUCCI GROUP N.V. ANNOUNCES
FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR SECOND QUARTER 2003
AND RECENT SALES TRENDS

 

Amsterdam, The Netherlands, October 15, 2003: Gucci Group N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: GCCI.AS; NYSE: GUC) today announces financial results for the second quarter ended July 31, 2003 and recent sales trends.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 

               Gucci Group retail sales have surged since August 1, 2003, led by Gucci Division constant currency sales achieving strong double digit growth in Europe, Japan, Hong Kong and the United States. Yves Saint Laurent retail sales increased 31% in constant currency in the period August through October 12 led by 60% plus growth in the United States and Japan.

 

               Gucci Group revenues were € 583.7 million; operating income before goodwill and trademark amortization and restructuring costs was € 26.8 million.

 

               Gucci Division revenues were € 362.3 million ; operating income before goodwill amortization and restructuring was € 87.6 million (24.2% margin).

 

               Yves Saint Laurent revenues were € 35.5 million, up 14.6% in constant currency.

 

               YSL Beauté revenues were € 116.0 million, up 9.5% in constant currency. In the August-September period, revenues increased 27% on a constant currency basis.

 

               Bottega Veneta revenues increased 33.7%, driven by 72.0% constant currency retail sales growth. The brand generated 42% growth in the August through mid-October period, led by 36% and 104% constant currency retail sales growth in Japan and the United States, respectively.

 

               Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney each grew revenues by more than 100%.

 

Domenico De Sole, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gucci Group N.V., said:

 

“The second quarter marked an important transition for the Gucci brand.  In July we commenced delivery of our superb Fall/Winter collection, and we immediately began to experience the most significant sales growth we have seen since the luxury goods recession began on September 11, 2001. This slightly improved our second quarter results, which nonetheless suffered from the after effects of the critical situation this Spring, caused by the war in Iraq, SARS and the appreciation of the Euro.

 

This trend has continued to accelerate to outstanding levels as Gucci has experienced constant currency retail sales growth of 20% in the United States, 14% in Japan, 16% in Hong Kong and China and 10% in Europe from August 1 through October 12.

 



 

The outlook is now very positive. We have already received outstanding levels of reorders for Fall/Winter merchandise from our key wholesale accounts and very strong positive reaction to our cruise, main and fashion collections for Spring/Summer 2004.  Importantly, led by the exceptionally strong handbag and leather goods collections, other product categories (shoes, women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, jewelry) are participating in this growth.

 

Yves Saint Laurent has continued to develop its retail store network with important openings in Beverly Hills, New York, and Hong Kong during the second and third quarters, while also building its product offering with further expansion of the leather goods and shoes collections. This contributed to 31% constant currency retail sales growth from August 1 through October 12.

 

Bottega Veneta continued its outstanding growth, particularly in the United States and Japan, with constant currency retail sales growth in excess of 40% both in the second quarter and third quarter to date. Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Balenciaga received outstanding critical acclaim for their fashion shows in Paris last week.

 

Although the overall profit performance of the Group in the second quarter was disappointing, our continued cost discipline and rapidly improving sales performance lead me to expect outstanding results in the third and fourth quarters of this year.”

 

Gucci Division

Gucci Division revenues were € 362.3 million, compared to € 367.4 million last year.

 

The competitive strength of the Gucci brand allowed the business to achieve growth in most of its major markets notwithstanding continued difficult trading conditions globally. Measured on a constant currency basis, retail sales by region in the second quarter were as follows:

 

               In Japan, retail sales increased 10.3% in the second quarter. Growth accelerated in the third quarter, as retail sales increased 14% in August through mid-October.

 

               In non-Japan Asia, retail sales increased 1.6%.  Excellent growth in South Korea (47.5%) and mainland China (35.3%) offset lower sales in Hong Kong, where SARS significantly cut tourism and local consumer spending.  In the August through mid-October period, retail sales increased 20% in South Korea and in Taiwan and 16% in Hong Kong / China, Gucci’s three largest markets in non-Japan Asia.

 

               In the United States, retail sales increased 6.2%, driven by 12.5% growth on the mainland. In the August through mid-October period, retail sales in the United States advanced 20%, with growth reaching 22% on the mainland and double digits in Hawaii.

 

               Excluding Italy, where a fall in tourism affected business, retail sales in Europe were flat. In the August through mid-October period retail sales in Europe excluding Italy advanced 23%.

 

2



 

The decline in the second quarter in watch sales was due largely to continued adverse trading conditions in the global watch industry. Sales of Gucci watches increased starting in August thanks primarily to strong demand for the iconic bamboo bracelet watch launched at the Basel Watch Fair last April.

 

Gucci continued to be highly profitable.  The gross margin was 67.4%, compared to 71.5%, a decline owing principally to a higher incidence of markdowns, the result of the weak consumer demand in the Spring/Summer season and Gucci’s conservative inventory valuation policy. The operating margin before goodwill amortization and restructuring was 24.2% ( € 87.6 million) compared to 29.9% (€ 109.8 million) last year.

 

Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent revenues were € 35.5 million, an increase of 14.6% on a constant currency basis. Retail sales growth on a constant currency basis was 22.8%, and accelerated to 31% in the period August through mid-October.

 

Sales of leather goods increased an exceptional 91.4% on a constant currency basis. This Fall the Yves Saint Laurent leather goods collection has continued to expand with the introduction of new handbag lines, such as St. Tropez and Cassandra.

 

During the second quarter, Yves Saint Laurent inaugurated important stores in Beverly Hills (Rodeo Drive) and New York (57th Street, off Fifth Avenue) and an accessory-only store on via Condotti in Rome.  In September Yves Saint Laurent opened a flagship in Hong Kong (Canton Road), completed renovation of its Paris flagship (Rue Faubourg St. Honoré) and inaugurated its relocated and enlarged store in London (Bond Street).

 

Higher store-operating expenses resulting from the expansion of the distribution network and a greater level of mark-downs contributed to the rise in the operating loss before goodwill and trademark amortization and restructuring to € 18.8 million from € 13.3 million last year.

 

YSL Beauté

YSL Beauté revenues were € 116.0 million, an increase of 9.5% on a constant currency basis.

 

Yves Saint Laurent brand sales increased 7.4% on a constant currency basis, led by 18.1% growth from make-up. YSL Beauté introduced perfumes Kingdom for Alexander McQueen and Essenza di Zegna for Zegna in the first half and Stella, the first Stella McCartney fragrance, in September.

 

Owing primarily to increased product development, design, communication and selling expenses associated with the launching of the new fragrances, YSL Beauté’s operating loss before goodwill and trademark amortization increased to € 18.4 million from € 12.1 million.

 

3



 

Goodwill and Trademark Amortization

Goodwill and trademark amortization was € 30.2 million ( € 23.9 million, net of tax), compared to € 30.9 million (€ 25.2 million, net of tax).

 

Restructuring Expenses

Restructuring expenses included primarily the estimated costs of certain store closures, inventory writedowns and employee layoffs.

 

Financial Income

Net financial income was € 4.7 million, compared to € 14.7 million, reflecting € 16.8 million of interest income on cash under management (an average annualized yield on cash under management of 2.49%), net of financial expenses of € 12.1 million.

 

Net Financial Indebtedness

As of July 31, 2003, the net cash position, including long term financial assets of  € 253.9 million, was € 1,075.9 million.  Following the € 1,347.0 million payment of capital to shareholders on October 2, 2003, the net debt position was approximately € 250 million.  Management expects the net debt position to be less than € 100 million by the end of fiscal year 2003.

 

Gucci Group N.V. is one of the world’s leading multi-brand luxury goods companies.  Through the Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Sergio Rossi, Boucheron, Roger & Gallet, Bottega Veneta, Bédat & Co., Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Balenciaga brands, the Group designs, produces and distributes high-quality personal luxury goods, including ready-to-wear, handbags, luggage, small leather goods, shoes, timepieces, jewelry, ties and scarves, eyewear, perfume, cosmetics and skincare products. The Group directly operates stores in major markets throughout the world and wholesales products through franchise stores, duty-free boutiques and leading department and specialty stores.  The shares of Gucci Group N.V. are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange.

 

Under the safe harbor provisions to the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by the Company, including those made in this document, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.  Factors that may affect the Company’s operations are discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2002, as amended, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

For media inquiries:

 

For investors / analysts inquiries:

Tomaso Galli

 

Cedric Magnelia / Enza Dominijanni

Director of Corporate Communications

 

Directors of Investor Relations

Gucci Group N.V.

 

Gucci Group N.V.

+31 20 462 1700

 

+31 20 462 1700

 +39 02 8800 5555

 

+39 055 7592 2456

 

For additional information please visit www.guccigroup.com

 

Tables to follow

 

4



 

GUCCI GROUP

SECOND QUARTER REVENUES

(In millions of Euro)

 

 

 

Second Quarter 2003

 

Second Quarter 2002

 

% Increase
(Decrease)

 

Gucci Division

 

362.3

 

367.4

 

(1.4

)%

Yves Saint Laurent

 

35.5

 

33.7

 

5.5

%

YSL Beauté

 

116.0

 

114.4

 

1.3

%

Other Operations

 

83.5

 

71.9

 

16.1

%

Interdivisional

 

(13.6

)

(10.3

)

n/m

 

Total

 

583.7

 

577.1

 

1.1

%

 

GUCCI GROUP

SECOND QUARTER OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS) BEFORE GOODWILL AND

TRADEMARK AMORTIZATION AND RESTRUCTURING EXPENSES

(In millions of Euro)

 

 

 

Second Quarter 2003

 

Second Quarter 2002

 

% Increase
(Decrease)

 

Gucci Division

 

87.6

 

109.8

 

(20.2

)%

Yves Saint Laurent

 

(18.8

)

(13.3

)

n/m

 

YSL Beauté

 

(18.4

)

(12.1

)

n/m

 

Other Operations

 

(14.2

)

(14.3

)

n/m

 

Corporate Expenses

 

(9.7

)

(7.8

)

n/m

 

Interdivisional

 

0.3

 

0.1

 

n/m

 

Total

 

26.8

 

62.4

 

(58.4

)%

 

5



 

GUCCI DIVISION

SECOND QUARTER REVENUES

(In millions of Euro)

 

 

 

Second Quarter 2003

 

Second Quarter 2002

 

% Increase
(Decrease)

 

Directly-operated Stores

 

243.3

 

245.7

 

(1.0

)%

Wholesale Distribution*

 

71.3

 

66.9

 

6.6

%

Timepieces and Jewelry Distribution

 

36.8

 

43.8

 

(16.0

)%

Royalties

 

10.4

 

11.7

 

(11.6

)%

Interdivisional

 

0.5

 

(0.7

)

n/m

 

Total

 

362.3

 

367.4

 

(1.4

)%

Leather goods

 

179.2

 

180.0

 

(0.5

)%

Shoes

 

49.3

 

43.2

 

14.1

%

Ready-To-Wear

 

48.0

 

49.8

 

(3.6

)%

Watches

 

37.3

 

46.4

 

(19.5

)%

Jewelry

 

24.2

 

21.2

 

14.5

%

Other

 

13.4

 

15.8

 

(15.3

)%

Royalties

 

10.4

 

11.7

 

(11.6

)%

Interdivisional

 

0.5

 

(0.7

)

n/m

 

Total

 

362.3

 

367.4

 

(1.4

)%

Europe

 

117.7

 

124.1

 

(5.2

)%

United States

 

78.4

 

78.5

 

(0.2

)%

Japan

 

89.6

 

84.8

 

5.6

%

Rest of Asia

 

63.8

 

71.5

 

(10.8

)%

Rest of World

 

12.3

 

9.2

 

34.8

%

Interdivisional

 

0.5

 

(0.7

)

n/m

 

Total

 

362.3

 

367.4

 

(1.4

)%

 


(*) Franchise Stores, Duty-Free and Department and Specialty Stores

 

6



 

GUCCI GROUP

FIRST HALF REVENUES

(In millions of Euro)

 

 

 

First Half 2003

 

First Half 2002

 

% Increase
(Decrease)

 

Gucci Division

 

682.7

 

738.6

 

(7.6

)%

Yves Saint Laurent

 

68.4

 

66.8

 

2.4

%

YSL Beauté

 

256.8

 

257.0

 

(0.1

)%

Other Operations

 

165.0

 

139.1

 

18.7

%

Interdivisional

 

(22.2

)

(16.7

)

n/m

 

Total

 

1,150.7

 

1,184.8

 

(2.9

)%

 

GUCCI GROUP

FIRST HALF OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS) BEFORE GOODWILL AND

TRADEMARK AMORTIZATION AND RESTRUCTURING EXPENSES

(In millions of Euro)

 

 

 

First Half 2003

 

First Half 2002

 

% Increase
(Decrease)

 

Gucci Division

 

152.4

 

203.6

 

(25.1

)%

Yves Saint Laurent

 

(40.3

)

(33.0

)

N/m

 

YSL Beauté

 

(25.3

)

(9.2

)

N/m

 

Other Operations

 

(34.5

)

(30.0

)

N/m

 

Corporate Expenses

 

(19.6

)

(17.9

)

N/m

 

Interdivisional

 

(0.2

)

0.0

 

N/m

 

Total

 

32.5

 

113.5

 

(71.3

)%

 

7



 

GUCCI DIVISION

FIRST HALF REVENUES

(In millions of Euro)

 

 

 

First Half 2003

 

First Half 2002

 

% Increase
(Decrease)

 

Directly-operated Stores

 

468.2

 

503.9

 

(7.1

)%

Wholesale Distribution*

 

122.9

 

126.3

 

(2.7

)%

Timepieces and jewelry Distribution

 

68.8

 

81.9

 

(16.0

)%

Royalties

 

21.8

 

26.4

 

(17.5

)%

Interdivisional

 

1.0

 

0.1

 

n/m

 

Total

 

682.7

 

738.6

 

(7.6

)%

Leather goods

 

331.3

 

361.8

 

(8.4

)%

Shoes

 

89.9

 

89.6

 

0.3

%

Ready-To-Wear

 

95.5

 

100.6

 

(5.1

)%

Watches

 

70.0

 

88.8

 

(21.1

)%

Jewelry

 

46.0

 

39.6

 

16.3

%

Other

 

27.2

 

31.7

 

(14.0

)%

Royalties

 

21.8

 

26.4

 

(17.5

)%

Interdivisional

 

1.0

 

0.1

 

n/m

 

Total

 

682.7

 

738.6

 

(7.6

)%

Europe

 

223.9

 

250.2

 

(10.5

)%

United States

 

144.1

 

157.0

 

(8.2

)%

Japan

 

181.8

 

182.7

 

(0.5

)%

Rest of Asia

 

113.0

 

129.3

 

(12.6

)%

Rest of World

 

18.9

 

19.3

 

(2.0

)%

Interdivisional

 

1.0

 

0.1

 

n/m

 

Total

 

682.7

 

738.6

 

(7.6

)%

 


(*) Franchise Stores, Duty-Free and Department and Specialty Stores

 

8



 

GUCCI GROUP

SUMMARIZED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In millions of Euro, except per share and share amounts)

 

 

 

2nd Quarter
2003

 

2nd Quarter
2002

 

1st Half
2003

 

1st Half
2002

 

Net Revenues

 

583.7

 

577.1

 

1,150.7

 

1,184.8

 

Gross Profit

 

375.6

 

394.5

 

760.0

 

809.4

 

Selling, General and Administrative expenses

 

348.8

 

332.1

 

727.5

 

695.9

 

Restructuring expenses

 

14.5

 

0.0

 

14.5

 

0.0

 

Goodwill and trademark

 

30.2

 

30.9

 

60.3

 

61.7

 

Amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit (loss)

 

(17.9

)

31.5

 

(42.3

)

51.8

 

Financial income, net

 

4.7

 

14.7

 

12.4

 

30.7

 

Other income (expenses)

 

8.3

 

(2.3

)

9.2

 

(3.0

)

Pre-tax income (loss)

 

(4.9

)

43.9

 

(20.7

)

79.5

 

Taxation

 

(23.5

)

2.6

 

(38.6

)

4.3

 

Minority interests

 

4.1

 

1.5

 

5.9

 

3.1

 

Net income

 

22.7

 

42.8

 

23.8

 

78.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share-basic

 

0.23

 

0.42

 

0.24

 

0.77

 

Net income per share-diluted

 

0.23

 

0.42

 

0.24

 

0.76

 

Weighted number of shares outstanding – basic

 

 

 

99,101,118

 

101,243,294

 

Weighted number of shares outstanding – diluted

 

 

 

100,291,728

 

102,874,301

 

 

9



 

GUCCI GROUP

SUMMARIZED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions of Euro)

 

 

 

July 31, 2003

 

January 31, 2003

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

2,690.2

 

2,934.6

 

Trade receivables, net

 

310.6

 

331.8

 

Inventories, net

 

549.5

 

472.0

 

Deferred tax assets

 

236.9

 

191.2

 

Current value of hedge derivatives

 

115.8

 

110.6

 

VAT reimbursement receivables

 

148.2

 

149.0

 

Other current assets

 

179.6

 

177.2

 

Total current assets

 

4,230.8

 

4,366.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

958.1

 

912.5

 

Goodwill, trademarks, other intangible assets and deferred charges, net

 

2,036.0

 

2,110.0

 

Other non-current assets

 

387.8

 

391.7

 

Total non-current assets

 

3,381.9

 

3,414.2

 

Total assets

 

7,612.7

 

7,780.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Bank overdrafts and short-term loans

 

544.2

 

630.5

 

Trade payables and accrued expenses

 

474.5

 

478.5

 

Other current liabilities

 

253.6

 

271.0

 

Return of capital payable

 

1,347.0

 

0.0

 

Total current liabilities

 

2,619.3

 

1,380.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term financial payables

 

1,324.0

 

1,202.4

 

Long-term tax payable and deferred tax liabilities

 

349.5

 

373.2

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

93.4

 

89.0

 

Total non-current liabilities

 

1,766.9

 

1,664.6

 

Total liabilities

 

4,386.2

 

3,044.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interests

 

54.8

 

64.6

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

3,171.7

 

4,671.4

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

7,612.7

 

7,780.6

 

 

# # #

 

10



 

ANNEX:

 

RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS) BEFORE GOODWILL AND

TRADEMARK AMORTIZATION AND RESTRUCTURING EXPENSES (“EBITA BEFORE

RESTRUCTURING”) TO OPERATING PROFIT BEFORE GOODWILL AND

TRADEMARK AMORTIZATION (“EBITA”)

 

(In millions of Euro)

 

 

 

2nd quarter 2003

 

1st Half 2003

 

Gucci Division

 

 

 

 

 

EBITA before restructuring

 

87.6

 

152.4

 

Restructuring expenses

 

2.2

 

2.2

 

EBITA

 

85.4

 

150.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yves Saint Laurent

 

 

 

 

 

EBITA before restructuring

 

(18.8

)

(40.3

)

Restructuring expenses

 

2.0

 

2.0

 

EBITA

 

(20.8

)

(42.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

YSL Beauté

 

 

 

 

 

EBITA before restructuring

 

(18.4

)

(25.3

)

Restructuring expenses

 

0.0

 

0.0

 

EBITA

 

(18.4

)

(25.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Operations

 

 

 

 

 

EBITA before restructuring

 

(14.2

)

(34.5

)

Restructuring expenses

 

10.3

 

10.3

 

EBITA

 

(24.5

)

(44.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Expenses

 

(9.7

)

(19.6

)

Interdivisional

 

0.3

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

EBITA before restructuring

 

26.8

 

32.5

 

Restructuring expenses

 

14.5

 

14.5

 

EBITA

 

12.3

 

18.0

 

 

11



SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

GUCCI GROUP N.V.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

16 October 2003

 

 

By:

  /s/ Robert S. Singer

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

Robert S. Singer

 

 

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

12