Highlights first half 2021

• Building on strong fundamentals in the online channel allowed us to moderate the effect of the mandatory lockdowns in Q1 2021, and to show a modest growth of 0.6% in sales of continuing operations in H1 2021 to € 97.2 million. Sales in the Benelux amounted to € 91.1 million (-1.0% LFL) and New Business amounted to € 6.1 million (+40.8% LFL).
• Q2 sales growth amounted to 15.5% with the Benelux growing by 14.2% LFL and New Business by 69.6% LFL respectively.
• Gross profit increased by 5.0% to € 54.3 million, resulting in net profit from continuing operations of € 4.1 million (+ 43.7%) for H1 2021.
• Order book increased by 11.3% to € 24.7 million versus one year ago, driven by 13.3% LFL order intake in Q2.
• Online sales for the Group have grown 123%, leading to a channel share of 32.7%, particularly due to a continuing strong performance in Q2 of +40.4% in the Benelux and +128% for New Business.
• Initiatives underpinning the new strategic direction are being implemented:
  • New shop format Beter Bed to go live in the Netherlands in Q3.
  • Launch of subscription label 'Leazzzy'.
  • Streamlined organisational structure by integrating Holding and Business directors into one management team.
  • New role focused on sustainability, CSR and Innovation has been established.
  • Sale of Sängjätten, the Swedish operations, successfully concluded.
• Financial position further strengthened: new financing agreement with ABN AMRO for three years replacing current facilities and perpetual loan including accrued interest repaid in cash per 20 July 2021, which clears the way to present a revised dividend policy subject to final shareholder approval. In the near term we intend to remediate the impact on our solvency as a result of the repayment of the perpetual loan.
• Outlook FY 2021: notwithstanding the current economic and health uncertainties in relation to COVID-19 we continue to feel confident delivering our 2025 medium-term objectives as presented in our Strategy Update.

John Kruijssen, CEO of BBH, comments:
"COVID-19 continued to impact the retail landscape, with the vast majority of stores closed or opened with restrictionsfrom mid-December 2020 until end of April 2021. Through a strong increase in online sales, as well as the successfulimplementationof"shoppingbyappointment"andthoroughpreparationsenablingasmoothreopening,theGrouphas been able to meet the sales levels of the first half of 2020. This is a true testament of the agility of the Group, andwe have launched our new mid-term strategic plan to further build on this. We are in good shape to execute on thisplan, with a new financing agreement in place for the next three years and the successful divestment of the Sängjättenoperations in Sweden. With a streamlined and focused organisation, we can build on major global trends shaping thefuture of the bedding industry. We are launching many initiatives underpinning our strategy, including the opening ofan experience store in the next quarter, the launch of our very first subscription label Leazzzy and our new CSR strategywill be presented. Although the current market circumstances still ask for some caution, we are well underway toachieveourlong-termambitionsforacceleratedgrowth."

Please click on the link below for the full version of the press release including interim financial statements 2021. Press photos can be downloaded here. 

Attachment

• press release 21-7-2021

• Beter Bed Holding NV