SSP Group Regulatory News (SSPG)

LEI: 213800QGNIWTXFMENJ24 

19 July 2019

SSP GROUP PLC

Third Quarter Trading Update

SSP Group plc ("SSP" or "the Group"), a leading operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, issues its Trading Update for the third quarter of its financial year ending 30 September 2019, covering the period from 1 April to 30 June 2019.

Group 

SSP had a good third quarter and made further progress on its strategic initiatives. Total Group revenue increased by 9.2% on a constant currency basis, comprising like-for-like sales growth of 2.0% and net contract gains of 7.2%. At actual exchange rates, total Group revenues for the period increased 10.3% year-on-year.

In the UK, like-for-like sales growth was in line with our expectations, with stronger like-for-like sales growth in the air sector compared to rail. In Continental Europe, like-for-like sales continued to be held back by slower passenger growth in the Nordic countries and the impact of airport redevelopment activity in this region and in Spain. In North America, like-for-like sales growth was driven by increasing passenger numbers, although some of our airports have been impacted by the grounding of Boeing Max 737 aircraft and the transfer of passengers away from our terminals. In the Rest of the World, like for like sales growth has been mixed, with good performances in Egypt and the Middle East slightly offset, as anticipated, by the cessation of operations at Jet Airways in India and slower growth in China. Looking forward to the rest of the year, we anticipate like-for-like sales growth for the Group to be around 2%.

Net contract gains were good, driven by Continental Europe and North America, where the mobilisation of new contracts has been slightly ahead of schedule. Looking forward, we expect net gains in the full year to be slightly ahead of our expectations at around 5%, and as usual they will be accompanied by pre-opening costs.

For the nine month period from 1 October 2018 to 30 June 2019, total Group revenues increased by 7.6%, including LFL sales growth of 2.0%, net contract gains of 5.2% and the acquisition impact of Stockheim of 0.4%. At actual exchange rates, total Group revenue increased by 8.3% year on year.  

Outlook

Looking forward to the full year, our expectations remain unchanged and whilst a degree of uncertainty always exists around passenger numbers in the short term, we continue to benefit from the structural growth opportunities in our markets and to create further shareholder value.

Currency

Trading results from outside the UK are converted into Sterling at the average exchange rates for the period. The overall impact on revenue of the movement of foreign currencies (principally the Euro, US Dollar, Swedish Krona, and Norwegian Krone) during the first three quarters of 2019 compared to the 2018 average was +0.7%. If the current spot rates were to continue for the rest of 2019, we would expect a slightly positive effect for the full year of around +0.5%.

2019 Full Year Results Announcement

The Group's results for the year ending 30 September 2019 are expected to be released on 20 November 2019.

CONTACTS:

Investor and analyst enquiries 

Sarah John, Director of Investor Relations, SSP Group plc

 +44 (0) 203 714 5251

E-mail: sarah.john@ssp-intl.com

Media enquiries 

Peter Ogden / Lisa Kavanagh

Powerscourt

+44 (0) 207 250 1446

E-mail: ssp@powerscourt-group.com 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

About SSP 

SSP is a leading operator of food and beverage concessions in travel locations, operating restaurants, bars, cafés, food courts, lounges and convenience stores in airports, train stations, motorway service stations and other leisure locations. With over 50 years of experience, today we have more than 37,000 employees, serving approximately 1.5 million customers every day. We have business at approximately 600 sites - mostly airports and railway stations - and operate more than 2,600 units in 33 countries around the world.

SSP operates an extensive portfolio of more than 500 international, national, and local brands. Among these are local heroes such as Brioche Dorée in Paris, LEON in London, and Hung's Delicacies in Hong Kong. Our range also includes proprietary brands created for the travel sector including Upper Crust, Le Grand Comptoir and Ritazza, as well as international names such as M&S, Burger King, Starbucks, Jamie's Deli and YO! Sushi. We also create stunning bespoke concepts such as Five Borough Food Hall in JFK, New York and Norgesglasset Bar in Oslo.www.foodtravelexperts.com