IQ-AI Regulatory News (IQAI)

10 Jan 2006 07:00

Flying Brands Limited10 January 2006 10 January 2006 Flying Brands Limited Trading Update Flying Brands, the Jersey based home shopping group, is today providing anupdate on its trading performance covering the second half of last year,following its last announcement on 30 September 2005. Overall second half sales for the group were 14.5% ahead of the same period in2004. Excluding the two acquisitions made in 2005, sales (on a like for likebasis) were 3.5% ahead. Highlights for the period included a strong Autumn season from Gardening Direct;a good performance from Flying Flowers over Christmas, with significantlyincreased online sales as well as a positive response to new gift offers; and anencouraging start from Garden Bird Supplies, with sales up 17% on the year overthe period since acquisition, which clearly shows the growth potential that thisbrand has. The entertainment division (Listen2Books, Benham and SilvermindsDirect) performed in line with expectations. This good performance in the past six months has continued the improving trendsidentified in the second quarter after difficult trading conditions at thebeginning of the year. Commenting on the trading performance, Mark Dugdale, Chief Executive, said: "Despite the continued difficult trading environment, our customers areresponding well to the new brand developments and enhanced product offerings wehave introduced. This, combined with the exciting performance of our most recentacquisition and management's continuing drive for cost effective delivery,demonstrates that we are successfully implementing our strategy." Flying Brands intends to announce its preliminary results for the year to 30December 2005 on 10 March 2006, with the Annual General Meeting being held on 13April 2006. The final dividend will be paid on 21 April 2006 to shareholders onthe register as at 31 March 2006, with the shares going ex dividend on 29 March. For further information, please contact: Flying Brands Limited 01376 575 010 / 07785 346 935Mark Dugdale, Chief ExecutiveGraham Norton, Finance Director Smithfield Consultants 020 7360 4900John KielyGeorge Hudson Notes to editors Jersey based Flying Brands Limited (LSE: FBDU) is a multi brand home shoppingspecialist. Founded in 1965, it was admitted to the Official List of the LondonStock Exchange in 1993. The Group operates the following divisions: • Gifts (Flying Flowers, the UK's largest flowers by post brand, despatching nearly one million bouquets a year) • Garden (Gardening Direct, one of the UK's largest mail order bedding plants and gardening products operations; Garden Bird Supplies, a leading provider of food and accessories for birds and other wildlife) • Entertainment (Listen2Books, the leading mail order audio books, DVD and video publisher and distributor; Benham, the first day cover stamps and coins collectables specialist; Silverminds Direct, the nostalgic music business) More information can be found at: www.flyingbrands.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange