Majestic Wine PLC Acceleration of Growth Plans (0969L)

TIDMWINE

RNS Number : 0969L

Majestic Wine PLC

17 April 2018

For immediate Release 17 April 2018

Majestic Wine PLC

("Majestic" or "the Group")

Acceleration of growth plans

Majestic is pleased to announce that it intends to accelerate growth, by materially increasing investment in new customer acquisition.

Key points:

   --     FY18 Update - trading in line with market expectations: 
   --     Sales on track to hit GBP500m sales target in 2019 
   --     FY18 adjusted EBIT expected to be in line with market expectations* 

-- Balance sheet and cash flow remain strong, with FY18 net debt expected to be reported at c.0.4x EBITDA, below our target of 0.5x EBITDA

   --     Dividend expected to be in line with market expectations for FY18* 
   --     New information shows investment opportunity materially bigger than previously thought: 

-- The Group is currently investing around GBP12m a year in new customer acquisition at a lifetime payback in excess of 4x, generating GBP48m per year of future value

-- Naked Wines Mature Angel sales retention, of 85%, is higher than the customer retention rate previously reported

-- The opportunity to invest in new customer acquisition is materially bigger than previously thought and the Board believes there is potential over time to double from the current level

   --     Returns are trending higher as we continue to optimise our investment approach 
   --     Early indications show the same returns are achievable in Majestic Retail as in Naked Wines 
   --     As a result the group intends to increase investment in new customer acquisition in FY19: 

-- We will invest an additional GBP9m to GBP12m, of which GBP7m to GBP10m is directed at growth and GBP2m will ensure we drive growth safely

-- This will reduce adjusted EBIT in FY19 by GBP2m to GBP3m (vs FY18), but increase annual generation of future value from GBP48m to GBP80m+ a year

   --     The FY19 dividend is expected to be in line with current market expectations* 

-- Additional financial data will be provided going forwards to facilitate assessment of both trading and investment performance

   --     The Board expects to see significant benefits from this investment from FY21 and beyond 

Rowan Gormley, CEO commented:

"We are in the fortunate position of having the option to accelerate growth by investing in new customer acquisition.

We are starting from a good place with the core business on track to meet our 2019 sales target of GBP500m and the market's expectation for profits and dividend in FY18.

In the last 3 years, we have doubled sales at Naked Wines and delivered profitability in all 3 markets - after increasing investment in new customer acquisition.

We believe we can double the level of investment again while maintaining the returns, driving sustained growth in shareholder value.

On a risk / return basis, the case for accelerating investment is clear. We can measure success in months while delivering returns over years.

This is the right thing to do to maximise shareholder value."

Notice of Capital Markets Days

Majestic Wine plc will host a Capital Markets Day for analysts and investors in London this afternoon to present the Group's future investment strategy and growth ambitions.

For US investors, Majestic will host a follow up Capital Markets Day on 1 May 2018 at the Naked Wines USA office in Napa, California.

For details on timing, venue and to register your interest in attending either event please contact Gabby Clinkard on the details below. A copy of the materials to be presented today and a CEO letter is now available on the company's website: www.majesticwineplc.co.uk, a webcast of the presentation will be made available later today.

Appendix: Guidance Information

   1.    Naked Wines historic performance (GBPm, unaudited, restated to constant FX rates) 
 
         New customers          Repeat customers       Fixed costs 
                                                        (as reported) 
         Sales   Contribution   Sales   Contribution 
        ------  -------------  ------  ------------- 
 FY14    21      (8)            38      8              (7) 
        ------  -------------  ------  -------------  --------------- 
 FY15    28      (8)            57      14             (9) 
        ------  -------------  ------  -------------  --------------- 
 FY16    29      (10)           79      20             (10) 
        ------  -------------  ------  -------------  --------------- 
 FY17    36      (13)           103     26             (11) 
        ------  -------------  ------  -------------  --------------- 
 
   2.    Naked Wine forecasting metrics 
 
                            Naked FY18         Naked FY19 
 New customer investment    GBP12-12.5m        GBP16-20m 
                           -----------------  ------------------- 
 Repeat sales retention     c.85%              c.85% 
                           -----------------  ------------------- 
 New to repeat sales        c.105%             c.100% 
  conversion 
                           -----------------  ------------------- 
 New customer margin        -200 to -300bps    -600 to -900bpsYoY 
                             YoY 
                           -----------------  ------------------- 
 Repeat contribution        +70-100bpsYOY      Unchanged 
  margin 
                           -----------------  ------------------- 
 Fixed cost growth          Flat               +10-15% 
                           -----------------  ------------------- 
 

*Current analyst consensus estimates can be found below and on www.majesticwineplc.co.uk :

 
                     FY 2018     FY 2019 
Revenue             GBP484.3m   GBP518.0m 
                    ----------  ---------- 
Adjusted EBIT        GBP17.9m    GBP20.8m 
                    ----------  ---------- 
Adjusted Profit      GBP16.8m    GBP19.9m 
 Before Tax 
                    ----------  ---------- 
Adjusted, Diluted   17.8 pence  21.1 pence 
 EPS 
                    ----------  ---------- 
Dividend per share  5.6 pence   6.8 pence 
                    ----------  ---------- 
 

For further information, please contact:

 
 Majestic Wine PLC                        Tel: [phone] 
  Rowan Gormley, Chief Executive 
  Officer 
  James Crawford, Chief Financial          Tel: [phone] 
  Officer                                  [e-mail] 
  Gabriella Clinkard, Public & Investor 
  Relations 
 Investec (NOMAD & Joint Broker)           Tel: [phone] 
  Garry Levin / David Flin / David 
  Anderson / Carlton Nelson 
  Liberum (Joint Broker)                   Tel: [phone] 
   Peter Tracey / Richard Bootle 
 Instinctif Partners (PR Agency)          Tel: [phone] or 07931 
  Damian Reece / George Yeomans            598 593 
 

About Majestic Wine PLC:

Majestic Wine plc is a quality wine specialist, with over 1m customers in the UK, USA and Australia.

Our goal is to try to beat the market by investing in customer relationships, rather than stores. We do that through:

   --     Investing in models that compound, i.e. models that get stronger with growth. 

-- Investing with discipline, because we are able to test new opportunities before we roll them out.

-- Using data and technology to continuously improve - every quarter we double up on our best performing investments, and cancel the worst performers.

Our divisions:

1) Majestic Retail - The UK's largest specialist wine retailer. We help people find wines they will love by employing highly engaged, well trained people equipped with state of the art tools and unique wines.

2) Naked Wines - Naked's customers in the UK, USA and Australia crowdfund independent winemakers in exchange for preferential prices on exclusive wines.

3) Majestic Commercial - A specialist on-trade supplier. We help our customers make more money from their wine list by offering national pricing and scale but local delivery and training.

4) Lay and Wheeler - A specialist fine wine merchant. We are a trusted guide for people who love fine wine, supplying the world's finest wines with a personal service.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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April 17, 2018 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)