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Last checked at 
9 Apr 2021 07:00
Ramsdens Holdings PLC
("Ramsdens" or the "Group")
Trading Update
Resilient H1 performance against challenging market conditions
Ramsdens Holdings PLC, the diversified financial services provider and retailer, announces a pre-close trading update for the six months ended 31 March 2021 (the "Period").
The Group delivered a resilient performance during the Period. The stronger restrictions imposed since we last updated the market in December 2020 significantly reduced high street footfall and the additional international travel restrictions further weakened demand for foreign currency exchange.
Against this backdrop, the Group maintained a prudent approach to controlling costs and protecting resources, whilst operating almost 90% of the Ramsdens store estate in a COVID-secure way to safeguard staff and customers. We have continued to invest in our online jewellery retail proposition, where revenue has more than doubled year on year.
As a result of these dynamics, the Board anticipates reporting a small loss for the Period but still traded cash positively.
The Group's balance sheet and liquidity remains strong with cash of approximately £15m at the Period end and an undrawn revolving credit facility of £10m.
Peter Kenyon, CEO of Ramsdens commented:
"We are pleased with the Group's resilient performance despite the ongoing difficult trading conditions - testament to the strengths of Ramsdens' diversified business model.
We are encouraged by the vaccine roll out, the expected re-opening of non-essential retail in England next week and the most recent UK Government announcements on international leisure travel as 'sticking to the road map'. Whilst the lack of current detail regarding certain country restrictions and quarantine conditions means we are unable to provide guidance for this summer's FX trading, we do believe there is significant underlying consumer demand for international summer travel which is encouraging.
Subject to no changes to the expected easing of social restrictions, we believe that our next financial year should see more normal trading patterns return and therefore anticipate opening new stores over the next six months as part of our long-term growth strategy.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Ramsdens team for their continued dedication to serving our local communities throughout the pandemic."
Enquiries:
Ramsdens Holdings PLC Tel: +44 (0) 1642 579957
Peter Kenyon, CEO
Martin Clyburn, CFO
Liberum Capital Limited (Nominated Adviser) Tel: +44 (0) 20 3100 2000
Richard Crawley
Lauren Kettle
Hudson Sandler (Financial PR) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7796 4133
Alex Brennan
Lucy Wollam
About Ramsdens
Ramsdens is a growing, diversified, financial services provider and retailer, operating in the four core business segments of foreign currency exchange, pawnbroking loans, precious metals buying and selling and retailing of second hand and new jewellery. Ramsdens does not offer unsecured high cost short term credit.
Headquartered in Middlesbrough, the Group operates from 156 stores within the UK (including 3 franchised stores) and has a growing online presence.
Ramsdens is fully FCA authorised for its pawnbroking and credit broking activities.
www.ramsdensplc.com
www.ramsdensforcash.co.uk
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