Character Regulatory News (CCT)

13 Sep 2006 07:00

Character Group PLC13 September 2006 Issued by Citigate Dewe Rogerson Limited, BirminghamDate: Wednesday 13 September 2006 Embargoed: 7.00 am The Character Group plc Designers, developers and distributors of toys, games and gifts Pre-Close Trading Update The Board of The Character Group ("the Company" or "the Group") today providesan update for the Company's results for the year ended 31 August 2006, ahead ofentering into the two month close period, prior to the announcement of itspreliminary results which is expected to take place at the end of November 2006. The Directors are pleased to report that the vast majority of deliveriesscheduled to be completed at the very end of August were distributed on timewith the net impact being that trading in the final days of the financial yearended 31 August 2006 exceeded even the very satisfactory finish to the yearanticipated by the Board and referred to in the RNS announcement made on 22August 2006. As a result of this strong finish to the year, the Board anticipates that theGroup will further exceed the recently revised market expectations for thefinancial year to August 2006. The current new financial year (ending 31 August 2007) has started strongly withour order book looking healthy and our major product lines performing well atretail. We are particularly pleased with the performance of our Dr Who, ScoobyDoo, Gr8 Gear, Peppa Pig and Robotic product ranges. Last week the Robosapien V2, the super-intelligent robot which is the closestthing to a real life companion, was voted Number 1 Toy in the Duracell EuropeanToy Survey 2006 (the only Pan-European Toy Survey that asks the users of toys -children - to nominate their favourites from toys available in store forChristmas 2006). In addition, after only three weeks of the new series having been aired on GMTV,we are encouraged by the growth in sales at retail of our Biker Mice from Marsrange. The Board is confident that following recent changes to the Directorate at bothMain Board and subsidiary level, the Group is well positioned to continue itsdevelopment. Enquiries:The Character Group plc Charles Stanley Securities Citigate Dewe Rogerson Ltd Richard King, Executive Chairman Rick Thompson Fiona TooleyKiran Shah, Group Finance Director Philip Davies Tel: +44 (0) 20 8949 5898 Tel: +44 (0) 20 7149 6457 Tel: +44 (0) 121 455 8370 Mobile: +44 (0) 7836 250150(RK) Mobile:+44 (0) 7785 703523 +44 (0) 7956 278522(KS)www.thecharacter.comwww.characteronline.comCCT.LSector: Media, AIM Notes to Editors: About The Character Group plcThe Character Group plc designs, develops and distributes toys, games andgiftware, principally to the UK although it has an ever increasing exposure tointernational markets. Revenues are generated from a mix of product with over 50% designed anddeveloped in-house either under the Group's own brand or under licence with thebalance being derived from third party distribution. Notable product lines areDr Who, Scooby Doo, Biker Mice from Mars, Peppa Pig, GR8 Gear, Robosapien,Roboraptor and Robopet. For a more comprehensive view of the product portfolio,please refer to www.characteronline.com. During the first six months of the current financial year (ending 31 August2006), The Character Group underwent a major reorganisation with the disposal ofits Digital Business in February 2006. The structure is now designed to maximisethe strength of, and focus on, the core business of Toys, Games and Gifts. www.thecharacter.comCCT.LSector: Media, AIM This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange