MOSB.L Regulatory News (MOSB)

9 Feb 2006 07:00

Moss Bros Group PLC09 February 2006 Pre-close statement THURSDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2006 Moss Bros Group Plc, the UK's leading men's fashion retailer, today reports ontrading ahead of entering the close period for the year ending 28 January 2006. • The Company has performed strongly in the fourth quarter with like for like sales running at +4% • Profit in line with market expectations of £6.2m • Total like for like sales for the year are up +2.5% • Gross margin percentage for the year has increased by 0.5 percentage point • Closing cash balance in excess of £17.5m Philip Mountford, Chief Executive, comments: "The Company, through a competitive trading year, has continued to make goodprogress and we have had a strong final quarter with the full year finishingwith like for like sales up +2.5%. Our performance has improved on that reportedon 12 October 2005 when like for like sales were flat on the previous year forthe first 14 weeks of the second half. We continue to make good progress with improvements in sourcing and productswhich are having a positive impact. The business continues to out-perform its sector and we expect to see positivelike for like sales during the next 12 months, whilst continuing to improvegross profit through further sourcing opportunities and controlling costs. Webelieve the Company now has a solid and robust platform on which to expandfurther during 2006 with at least another 10 stores planned. The Board is confident for the forthcoming year despite what will be achallenging retail environment." For further information: Moss Bros Group PlcAndrew Barclay 0207 447 7394 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange