Hamburg, 9 July 2010 – The group sales revenues of the Hamburg costume jewellery retailer Bijou Brigitte declined by 1.0 % resp. EUR 1.7 million from EUR 176.1 million to EUR 174.4 million. Like for like sales were 5.4 % less (prior year: 4.0 %). The decisive factor for the decline in sales is Spain’s economic condition. In the group’s second largest market both the financial and economic crisis and reduced tourism have led to a burden on group sales. The group’s earnings and additional details will be announced in the semi-annual financial report at the end of August.
Hamburg, 28 April 2010 – The Bijou Brigitte Group increased sales in the first quarter of 2010 by EUR 2.4 million or 3.2 % from EUR 76.1 million to EUR 78.5 million. Like-for-like sales declined by 2.0 %. The sales decline together with general cost increases has a negative impact on earnings. In comparison to the prior year after tax earnings declined by EUR 1.6 million from EUR 8.8 million to EUR 7.2 million. The epicentre of this negative development was Spain, which continued to suffer severely from the impact of the real estate and financial crisis in the first three months. The segment sales and segment result declined accordingly in Bijou Brigitte’s second largest market. The interest result continues significantly below the prior year’s level due to the low interest rates in the financial markets. In contrast the German and Italian markets have proven to be particularly stable.
More details regarding the first quarter will be announced in the interim notice on 10 May 2010.
Hamburg, 17 March 2010 – Bijou Brigitte Group generated group pre-tax earnings of EUR 108.9 million in 2009. This was 7.2 % less than the EUR 117.4 million of the prior year. Group after-tax earnings were EUR 75.4 million or EUR 7.1 million less than last year’s EUR 82.5 million. In fiscal year 2009, group sales increased by 3.8 % from EUR 375.7 million to EUR 390.1 million. This was the positive effect of international store expansion from 1,085 to 1,125. However, like-for-like sales were down 3.5 % compared to the prior year. The supervisory board and management board propose a dividend of EUR 6.50, at the same level as in the past three years. Due to the company’s solid liquidity a bonus of EUR 0.50 per common share is to be distributed. The dividend declaration—subject to verification of group earnings by the auditors—will be submitted for approval by the annual general meeting on 15 July 2010. Because of the impact of the extremely long winter throughout Europe, a slight decline in like-for-like sales is expected in the first quarter of 2010.
The executive management will present detailed information about the 2009 consolidated financial statements at the balance sheet press conference on 29 April 2010.
Hamburg, 8 January 2010 – The Hamburg costume jewellery group Bijou Brigitte increased its group sales in fiscal year 2009 from EUR 376 million to EUR 390 million and thus generated a rise of 3.7 %. The growth in sales resulted from international expansion with 40 additional stores to a total of 1,125 outlets (prior year 1,085). Bijou Brigitte opened a total of 64 new stores while 24 stores were closed. Like for like sales were down 3.5 % compared to the prior year. Domestic sales in the German market as well as in Austria, Italy and the Netherlands stabilised in the course of the year and exhibited a positive development on average. In contrast sales figures were below those for the prior year in Spain, due to the impact of the financial crisis and in Eastern Europe due to the declining exchange rate. Bijou Brigitte expects after tax earnings for the 2009 reporting year to be slightly below that of the prior year.
More detailed information about group earnings and the dividend proposal will probably be published in the second half of March.
Hamburg, 10 November 2009 – The Management Board of Bijou Brigitte modische Accessoires AG decided to repurchase shares of Bijou Brigitte AG (ISIN DE0005229504, bearer shares) in the amount of EUR 10,000,000.00. The buyback transactions, which are scheduled to be completed between 10 November 2009 and 31 December 2010, are subject to the conditions outlined below. Bijou Brigitte modische Accessoires AG thus exercises the authorisation granted at the ordinary general shareholders’ meeting on 15 July 2009 to repurchase own shares pursuant to § 71 subs. 1 No. 8 AktG of up to 10 percent of the registered capital which as of the date of the authorisation resolution amounted to EUR 8,100,000.00. The repurchased shares may be used for any purpose specified in the authorisation resolution adopted at the general shareholders’ meeting on 15 July 2009. If the current authorisation to repurchase shares is repealed at the next ordinary general shareholders’ meeting in 2010 and replaced by a new authorisation resolution, the buyback programme may be continued on the basis of this new authorisation resolution.
The share buyback programme is executed by order and for account of the company by a financial institute commissioned by the company. The financial institute will be free to make its decision regarding date and volume of the repurchase independently and without intervention by the company. The repurchase will be transacted on the stock exchange and under conditions which are as favourable as possible for Bijou Brigitte AG. The consideration to be paid for the share buyback (without incidental purchase expenses) must not exceed or fall below the stock exchange price by more than 10 percent. With regard to the above-mentioned procedure, the relevant stock exchange price shall be the average most recently paid price of the five trading days prior to the purchase on the regulated market for the share at the stock exchange in Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
The financial institute will be obliged to comply with the implementation conditions in articles 4 to 6 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 2273/2003 of 22 December 2003, the provisions of the authorisation resolution of the general shareholders’ meeting of 15 July 2009 and all other relevant provisions. Pursuant to Article 5, sec. 1 of the above-mentioned Commission Regulation when determining the purchase price the financial institute shall exceed neither the price of the last independent transaction on the stock exchange in question nor the currently highest independent offer. The higher value is relevant. Pursuant to Article 5, sec. 2 of the above-mentioned Commission Regulation, the financial institute must not purchase more than 25 percent of the average daily volume of the shares in any one day on the regulated market on which the purchase is carried out. The average daily volume figure must be based on the average daily volume traded in the 20 trading days preceding the repurchase.
The share buyback programme may be suspended and resumed at any point in time in compliance with the relevant legal provisions. Pursuant to Article 4, sec. 4 of the above-mentioned Commission Regulation, details of the transactions must be disclosed no later than seven trading days following the execution of the transactions. Bijou Brigitte AG will regularly provide information on the status of the share buyback programme under www.bijou-brigitte.com. During the first two share buyback programmes (from 18 March 2008 until 5 August 2008 and from 1 September 2008 until 9 November 2009) Bijou Brigitte repurchased 212,284 shares for circa EUR 16 Mio.
Hamburg, 10 November 2009. Bijou Brigitte modische Accessoires AG The Management Board.
Hamburg, 23 April 2009 – The Hamburg costume jewellery group, Bijou Brigitte, increased its group sales by 0.1%, from EUR 76.0 million to EUR 76.1 million in the first quarter of 2009. Like-for-like that was a 7.8% decline in group sales. Due to the fact that this first quarter is traditionally a low portion of annual sales, this decline in sales meant that cost increases have a disproportionately higher impact. Hence after tax earnings dropped by EUR 3.4 million, resp. 28%, from EUR 12.2 million to EUR 8.8 million. There are several causes for the decline. On one hand there was no extra February day as in the leap year and Easter business only occurred in April this year. On the other hand, the real estate and financial crisis in Spain, Portugal and France had a negative impact on the consumption climate. Moreover, there were sharp drops in the exchange rates for Eastern European currencies such as Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Additional details will be announced in the interim report to be published on 7 May 2009.
Hamburg, 18 March 2009 – In 2008 Bijou Brigitte group pre-tax earnings totalled EUR 117.4 million, slightly less than the EUR 121.9 million in the previous year. However, tax relief afforded by recent legislation led to a 2.8% increase in after-tax group earnings from EUR 80.3 million to EUR 82.6 million, a record result. Group sales rose by 2.4 % from EUR 366.9 million to EUR 375.7 million in 2008. This includes the addition of 80 stores to the international store network, an increase from 1,005 to 1,085. Like-for-like sales declined by 4.9% compared to the prior year. Given the Company’s continuing stable earnings situation, the management board and supervisory board of Bijou Brigitte will propose – subject to verification of group results by the auditors – a dividend payment of EUR 6.50 per common share at the annual general meeting on 15 July 2009.
That means the level of both prior years will be maintained. Since Bijou Brigitte is well furnished financially, it is able to master not only the dividends but also expansion and a planned headquarters’ expansion without borrowing. Reserves have also been strengthened for the future. Due to expansion, sales in the first quarter of 2009 have been about the same as last year. A like-for-like decline of approx. 7% is expected. While sales in Germany have remained very stable, the financial and consumer crises in the markets of Southern Europe as well as extreme declines in the exchange rate in Eastern European countries have had a very noticeable impact, reflected in the first quarter earnings as well.
Details about the consolidated financial statements will be presented at the balance sheet press conference on 28 April 2009.
Hamburg, January 9, 2009 - The Hamburg costume jewellery group, Bijou Brigitte increased its group sales from EUR 367 million to EUR 375 million in fiscal year 2008, attaining growth of 2.2%. The rise in sales resulted from international expansion by 80 stores to a total of 1.085 stores (prior year: 1,005 stores). Bijou Brigitte opened a total of 95 new stores. 15 locations were closed. Like for like sales lay at a minus of 4.9% compared to the prior year. Whereas domestic sales stabilised in 2008, there were declines in sales in countries hit by the real estate and financial crises, esp. Spain, Portugal and France. Bijou Brigitte expects after tax group earnings in fiscal year 2008 to lie slightly below the prior year’s level.
Further details as well as the group result and dividend proposal will probably be published in the second half of March.
Hamburg, 1 September 2008 – The Management Board of Bijou Brigitte modische Accessoires AG decided to repurchase shares of Bijou Brigitte AG ( ISIN DE0005229504, bearer shares ) in the amount of EUR 10,000,000.00. The buyback transactions, which are scheduled to be completed between 2 September 2008 and 31 December 2009, are subject to the conditions outlined below. Bijou Brigitte modische Accessoires AG thus exercises the authorisation granted at the ordinary general shareholders’ meeting on 16 July 2008 to repurchase own shares pursuant to § 71 subs. 1 No. 8 AktG of up to 10 percent of the registered capital which as of the date of the authorisation resolution amounted to EUR 8,100,000.00.
The repurchased shares may be used for any purpose specified in the authorisation resolution adopted at the general shareholders’ meeting on 16 July 2008. If the current authorisation to repurchase shares is repealed at the next ordinary general shareholders’ meeting in 2009 and replaced by a new authorisation resolution, the buyback programme may be continued on the basis of this new authorisation resolution. The share buyback programme is executed by order and for account of the company by a bank commissioned by the company. The bank will be free to make its decision regarding date and volume of the repurchase independently and without intervention by the company. The repurchase will be transacted on the stock exchange and under conditions which are as favourable as possible for Bijou Brigitte AG.
The consideration to be paid for the share buyback (without incidental purchase expenses) must not exceed or fall below the stock exchange price by more than 10 percent. With regard to the above-mentioned procedure, the relevant stock exchange price shall be the average most recently paid price of the five trading days prior to the purchase on the regulated market for the share at the stock exchange in Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
The bank will be obliged to comply with the implementation conditions in articles 4 to 6 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 2273/2003 of 22 December 2003, the provisions of the authorisation resolution of the general shareholders’ meeting of 16 July 2008 and all other relevant provisions. Pursuant to Article 5, sec. 1 of the above-mentioned Commission Regulation when determining the purchase price the bank shall exceed neither the price of the last independent transaction on the stock exchange in question nor the currently highest independent offer. The higher value is relevant. Pursuant to Article 5, sec. 2 of the above-mentioned Commission Regulation, the bank must not purchase more than 25 percent of the average daily volume of the shares in any one day on the regulated market on which the purchase is carried out.
The average daily volume figure must be based on the average daily volume traded in the 20 trading days preceding the repurchase. The share buyback programme may be suspended and resumed at any point in time in compliance with the relevant legal provisions. Pursuant to Article 4, sec. 4 of the above-mentioned Commission Regulation, details of the transactions must be disclosed no later than seven trading days following the execution of the transactions. Bijou Brigitte AG will regularly provide information on the status of the share buyback programme under www.bijou-brigitte.com.
The first share buyback programme started on 18 March 2008 and finished on 5 August 2008 – Bijou Brigitte repurchased 127.670 shares for circa 10 Mio. EUR.
Hamburg, 1 September 2008, Bijou Brigitte modische Accessoires AG, The Management Board.
Hamburg, 16 July 2008 – At today’s meeting of the Bijou Brigitte modische Accessoires AG supervisory board, company founder and chairman of the board, Mr Friedrich-Wilhelm Werner informed the supervisory board that he has decided to retire from the management of the company once his management contract expires on 31 December 2008. At the same time Mr Friedrich-Wilhelm Werner suggested that his son, Roland, be appointed chairman. Mr Roland Werner has worked at the company for seven years, four of which have been as member of the management board. The company founder, Mr Friedrich-Wilhelm Werner will remain close to the company in the context of a consulting contract and accompany the generation change in the coming years. Mr Friedrich-Wilhelm Werner will also retain the majority of shares and thus continue to significantly influence the attitude of the enterprise.
Hamburg, 18 March 2008 – Today, the Management Board of Bijou Brigitte modische Accessoires AG decided to initiate a share buyback programme which was authorised at the general shareholders’ meeting on 18 July 2007. Between 18 March 2008 and expiration of the authorisation on 31 December 2008 Bijou Brigitte AG will buy back own shares in the amount of up to EUR 10,000,000.00 on the stock exchange. The repurchased shares may be used for any purpose specified in the authorisation resolution adopted at the general shareholders’ meeting on 18 July 2007.
The consideration to be paid for the share buyback (without incidental purchase expenses) must not exceed or fall below the stock exchange price by more than 5 percent. With regard to the above-mentioned procedure, the relevant stock exchange price shall be the average most recently paid price of the five trading days prior to the purchase on the regulated market for the share at the stock exchange in Frankfurt/Main, Germany. If the current authorisation of 18 July 2007 to repurchase shares pursuant to § 71 subs. 1 No. 8 AktG is repealed at the next ordinary general shareholders’ meeting on 16 July 2008 and replaced by a new authorisation resolution, the share buyback programme may be continued beyond 31 December 2008. The share buyback programme will be executed by a bank commissioned by the company and will comply with the provisions of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2273/2003 of 22 December 2003.
Bijou Brigitte modische Accessoires AG, Hamburg The Management Board.
Hamburg, 13 March 2008 – As announced in the ad hoc release in January 2008, the Bijou Brigitte group net profit before taxes for fiscal year 2007 was EUR 121.9 million, slightly less than the EUR 124.5 million in the previous year. The Bijou Brigitte group result after taxes remained at last year’s level of approx. EUR 80 million. Group sales revenues for fiscal year 2007 confirmed the increase by 5.4 % to EUR 366.9 million (prior year: EUR 348.0 million) reported in the January ad hoc release. The rise in sales revenues resulted from international expansion by 74 stores. Like-for-like sales revenues were down 3.9 % compared to the previous year. Subject to the verification of the group result by the auditor, at the annual shareholders’ meeting on 16 July 2008 the management board and the supervisory board will propose a dividend of EUR 6.50 per ordinary share. Preliminary figures for Q1 2008 indicate a further sales revenue growth due to the increased number of stores. Like-for-like sales, however, may slightly decrease.
Detailed information regarding the consolidated financial statements for 2007 will be provided at the financial statement press conference on 29 April 2008.
Hamburg, 10 January 2008 – The Hamburg costume jewellery group Bijou Brigitte increased its group sales from EUR 348 million to EUR 367 million in fiscal year 2007— a plus of 5.4 %. The rise in sales resulted from international expansion by 74 stores to a total of 1,005 stores (prior year: 931 stores). Bijou Brigitte opened a total of 85 new stores. 11 stores were closed. Like-for-like sales were reached a 3.9 % minus compared to the prior year. Bijou Brigitte expects a group result after taxes for the year 2007 as a whole slightly lower than the prior year’s record high. It is intended to publish more details such as the group net result and dividend declaration in the second half of March.