- Leroy Merlin has chosen Pricer’s solution for all its stores – potential sales value SEK 130 million
- Provision for non-recurring costs of SEK 53 million
- A new strategy is announced that will simplify price optimisation between physical and online stores as well as mobile applications for the consumer
- The strategy is expected to strengthen growth and profitability in 2015
- No forecasts for 2014 is given
| Second quarter | |
| Orders | SEK 127 M (154) |
| Net sales | 147.9 M (127.9) |
| Gross margin 1) | 24.3 percent (31.4) |
| Operating profit 2) | SEK 2.7 M (9.1) |
| Operating margin 2) | 1.8 percent (7.1) |
| Cash flow | -37.7 M (-25.4) |
| Basic earnings per share |
SEK -0.46 (0.07) |
| January - June | |
| Orders | SEK 260 M (296) |
| Net sales | SEK 251.5 M (221.1) |
| Gross margin 1) | 23.9 percent (28.9) |
| Operating profit 2) | SEK -6.5 M (5.3) |
| Operating margin 2) | -2.6 percent (2.4) |
| Cash flow | -8.4 M (21.4) |
| Basic earnings per share | SEK -0.55 (0.03) |
1) Excluding non-recurring costs of SEK 37.5 M for 2014
2) Excluding non-recurring costs of SEK 52.8 M for 2014
Comments from the (acting) CEO, Harald Bauer
Sales increased in the second quarter while orders and the profit were lower than the previous year.
In the second quarter the profit continued to be burdened by costs for replacing components in on-site customer installations. The company’s warranty reserve is being increased to meet additional costs.
The costs refer to component problems in deliveries from some of Pricer’s suppliers which, while they are assessed as resolved, have required significant efforts to replace the labels for a number of customers. A comprehensive quality enhancement programme has been launched, which also includes sub-contractors.
In the second quarter, non-recurring costs of SEK 52.8 million are reported. In addition to the increased warranty reserve for replacement components, the costs include write-downs of stock and development projects. Excluding non-recurring costs, the operating profit was SEK 2.7 million.
We assess that the component problems will not have an impact on Pricer’s sales in 2014 as the problems have been identified and are assessed as being resolved. The replacement work is being conducted on a continuous basis with the affected customers. No sales or profit forecast is given for the full-year.
To enable Pricer to resume its growth and return to good profitability, the company’s sales and market strategy is currently reviewed and revised as described below.
Attached files