Hardy Amies Share Discussion Threads

[boscolane] 08/3/2008 20:39

I found this quote from Nigel Brunning in a recent article. It sheds light on the question about Hardy Amies retail business.

"He reiterated Hardy Amies' commitment to its wholesale business and said it will not open stores in towns where it has a strong wholesale presence".

Presumably it means that the company still sells wholesale clothes to large stores like Harvey Nicks in Manchester and London and wont set up its own shops in those areas. Obviously london is an exception as it is large enough to cope with a number of outlets selling it clothes.

[boscolane] 07/3/2008 18:08

Good spot Bungler. Its all v Quiet here. I suspect the full year numbers will be out in March so not long to wait. For what its worth from reading all the company announcements there is no doubt they will be better than last year. The fund raising will likely be revealed in the figures and I simply cant see small holders being shafted.
A few nice buys going through over the last couple of days too.

[bungler] 06/3/2008 14:58

You know I really am beginning to think this is going to work out for us all. What HA say they're going to do - they do. The only annoying thing is it doesn't formally open for business until July 12th (incidentally an interesting date to choose). This from today's Belfast Telegraph (see para 6 for relevant bit) :


Belfast's £400m leap into the future
Thursday, March 06, 2008

By Claire McNeilly

Belfast's place as a major European city was cemented today as the new £400m Victoria Square opened for business.

The unveiling of the state-of-the-art shopping complex marks a new milestone in the regeneration of Northern Ireland's capital and puts it alongside other major cities on the European retail map.

Thousands of Ulster shoppers got their first taste of the province's biggest, most luxurious - and easily most expensive - shopping centre when its doors opened this morning.

The streets were thronged with people anxious to catch a glimpse - for the first time - of the 98 retail outlets that comprise the huge £400m complex.

One of the largest inner city retail developments in Europe, spanning a massive 800,000 sq ft, Victoria Square brings to Ulster's doorstep many big names in British and international retailing - including lead tenant House of Fraser, which itself commands 200,000 sq ft.

H&M, Reiss, Cruise and Hardy Amies have also taken out considerable floor space and are among the 39 retail brands new to Northern Ireland.

The audacious Victoria Square project - following the recent arrival of furniture giant Ikea and the construction of the Belfast Eye late last year - represents a huge step forward for a city once shunned by tourists because of its reputation for violence.

Architecturally breathtaking, and featuring a gigantic signature glass dome which has been dominating the Belfast skyline over the last few months, Victoria Square represents the largest regeneration project ever undertaken in the city.

Its arrival also underlines the changing face of Northern Ireland retail - and almost certainly heralds an end to the days of Belfast being a ghost town on 'The Twelfth'.

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said the centre is a beacon of the future.

"Belfast has well and truly stepped out of the shadows of its past," she said.

"Developments such as Victoria Square are bringing a new confidence to our urban centres thanks to the peace dividend."

The shopping centre is expected to be open for business on July 12 this year - with other large retailers likely to follow suit - which means the city centre will be fully operational for the first time on the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph today, city centre manager Andrew Irvine said the historic move would cement Belfast as one of the UK's top retail and tourist locations.

"Retailers are seeing it as an opportunity to turn The Twelfth into a celebration for Belfast citizens and for tourists," Mr Irvine said.

"I'm working with retailers at the moment to finalise arrangements. We all agree that it's something that we want to do. We could see the whole city centre opened up."

Last night, at a lavish pre- opening function, outgoing First Minister Ian Paisley made his first public appearance since announcing his decision to quit, accompanied by Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

[boscolane] 04/3/2008 16:30

Hi Clocktower. Its simply

www.hardyamies.com

It shows they are gearing up for an online selling facility.

Roll on the finals. despite the share price im still bullish about these. Also nice turn around today after hitting the damn losers list again.
I suggest we all register.

[bungler] 04/3/2008 14:56

Very difficult to take over given Arev's holding.....unless of course they're involved!

[rocketblast] 04/3/2008 14:49

HA looks interesting buy, strong brand which would be a good reason for taking over.

Wholesale is selling to retail distributers who sell directly to the customer. This is the model HA use.

With a strong brand HA must be a strong takeover target at these prices.

[clocktower] 04/3/2008 14:32

Can you put a link up to the website please boscolane

[boscolane] 04/3/2008 14:22

I dont know what 'Wholesale business' they are talking about. I might ask the company and let you know. Has everyone seen the new website by the way ? I get the sense the company is moving forward at speed.

[bungler] 29/2/2008 12:18

Hi ladybird - I have to admit I too am not sure what the wholesale business is but i suppose it could be them selling to third parties to sell their clothes from??? I wasn't aware they were planning to do this though.

[ladybird1] 28/2/2008 09:43

Meant to add I like the line 'in an effort to make the retailer profitable next year'. That is also one I hadn't heard before. If they manage it, it will be a considerable achievement.

[bungler] 28/2/2008 09:19

Interesting bocolane - thank you. The only thing that concerns me slightly is that I thought the Shanghai and Beijing stores were opening this year?

[boscolane] 28/2/2008 05:24

I read some interesting information on HRD in a recent retail magazine.
Im not sure we knew the company was looking for a middle eastern partner.
If we can get past the uncertainty over funding this could be a very good investment.

Heres the major part of the article:-


Hardy Amies has set out ambitious plans to have 30 stores in the UK in the next five years and push into overseas markets, in an effort to make the retailer profitable next year.
The Savile Row retailer has signed to open stores at Belfast's Victoria Square development, Bristol's Cabot Circus scheme and London's White City scheme. It is seeking a Middle Eastern partner and will open stores in Shanghai and Beijing within 15 months.

The retailer will launch smaller store formats and introduce a women's diffusion line to sit alongside its menswear version – Hardy Amies London – for spring 2009.

Its first men's ready-to-wear store opened in Edinburgh in October, followed by its Chester store in November. Its women's main-line range debuted in its South Kensington store, which also opened in November.

Chief executive Nigel Brunning said: "In five years, we could have 30 stores in the UK, across at least three lines. As our shirting and ties also do very well, we could also envisage opening smaller shops with only shirts, ties and accessories."

He added: "We will be selective about the locations. They must fit the brand profile and be a great deal. There will not be a Hardy Amies in every major town."

He reiterated Hardy Amies' commitment to its wholesale business and said it will not open stores in towns where it has a strong wholesale presence.

This week, the retailer revealed revenues for the year to December 31, 2007, were up 35 per cent year-on-year to £1.6 million. It said it will remain loss-making this year.

In the six months to June 30, 2007, pre-tax losses declined from £1.24 million in the first half of 2006 to £372,252.

Hardy Amies received a £3 million cash injection from investment house Arev in June 2006, in exchange for a 49 per cent stake. Arev has investments in retailers including Jones Bootmaker.

[ladybird1] 25/2/2008 13:14

Glancing back, I see last year's results were only published close to the deadline in late June. Exceptional times then, of course, and the interims were pretty promptly published 21 September. It will be very interesting to see if the finals come out late March.

[boscolane] 14/2/2008 08:09

In theory a rights issue would result in dilution BUT it wouldnt necessarily lead to a fall in the share price. It depends on a number of factors including the price of the issued shares. Rights issues that raise money for successful companies are seen as a good thing as it gives them more funds to expand and improve.

[clocktower] 13/2/2008 15:31

How can you avoid dilution?

[boscolane] 11/2/2008 19:18

Nice to see the price heading in the right direction again.
Another quick observation. Manders mentioned a possible rights issue in the autumn statement last year and a month later three members of the board bought a million shares each.
Unless its all part of some elaborate confidence trick, would HRD management be buying shares which they would then devalue through dilution a short time later ? I dont think so. There is no reason to fear a rights issue, in my view, as long as it is ;-
a/ offered to existing shareholders too. or
b/ pitched at a level which doesn't adversely affect the price.
Clearly option a/ would mean holders being able to find the money to invest again.

[ladybird1] 08/2/2008 10:06

A good finish!

[ladybird1] 07/2/2008 22:33

Tedious latin poet. You are right, best moved on from.

[boscolane] 07/2/2008 22:00

I know im going to regret this !! and with fear of intruding on a special moment for you both, Who or What the hell is Horace ??
Is it possibly the name of your lovechild conceived after a meeting under the clock tower !! Perhaps you two should post jointly under the name seizetheladybird.
More seriously, a few decent buys today. If they were sells the price would be through the floor. Ho Humm.

[seizetheday] 07/2/2008 15:01

yes, would "off"!

[seizetheday] 07/2/2008 14:41

shame u didnt say "quiet" right , i would off slashed you