Watches Switz Regulatory News (WOSG)

The Watches of Switzerland Group Announces Acquisition of Four New Showrooms

On 9th December 2019, the Watches of Switzerland Group entered into an agreement with Fraser Hart Limited to purchase four luxury watch and jewellery showrooms trading under the brand name Fraser Hart.

The showrooms in Stratford, Brent Cross, Kingston and York will expand the Group's UK store portfolio in strategic locations that align with the Group's brand offerings.

The showrooms will be rebranded as Watches of Switzerland (Stratford and Brent Cross) and Mappin & Webb (Kingston and York) on completion. The Group will invest in the stores to create a highly luxurious and contemportary experience for consumers, that reflects the Group's wider store network.

The four showrooms had a combined annual revenue of £25.7m and 4-Wall EBITDA* of £5.0m for the financial year ended 24 June 2019. Gross tangible assets subject to the transaction are expected to be in the region of £5.5m.

The transaction is expected to complete in January 2020 for a total purchase price of £31.7m, subject to working capital adjustments on completion and represents a valuation of 6.3x EBITDA. The acquisition will be paid in cash from existing borrowing facilities. The transaction is expected to contribute revenue of c£6m and EBITDA of c£1m in FY20 and will be immediately earnings accretive.

*4-Wall EBITDA is defined as revenue less inventory recognised as an expense, commissions paid to the providers of interest free credit, inventory provisions and showroom costs. 4-Wall EBITDA is a direct measure of the profitability of the showroom operations.

Brian Duffy, Chief Executive Officer of the Watches of Switzerland Group, said

"We have been admirers of the Fraser Hart operations for some years and see this acquisition as a good opportunity to complement our UK showroom network, and apply our best in class practices in merchandising, marketing, systems and retail operations. We look forward to welcoming the Fraser Hart colleagues of these showrooms into our Group and working with them into the future."

About the Watches of Switzerland Group

The Watches of Switzerland Group is the UK's leading luxury watch specialist, operating in both the UK and US, with a complementary luxury jewellery offer.

The Group is comprised of four prestigious retail brands; Watches of Switzerland, Mappin & Webb, Goldsmiths and Mayors and has been transformed over the last five years into a modern, technologically advanced, omni-channel retailer with a foundation of success based on strong watch brand partnerships, impactful marketing and unrivalled customer experience.

The Watches of Switzerland Group has 132 core showrooms across the UK and US (which includes 20 dedicated mono-brand boutiques in partnership with Rolex, TAG Heuer, Omega and Breitling) and has a leading presence in Heathrow Airport with representation in Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 as well as five online transactional websites. 

The Watches of Switzerland Group is proud to be the UK's largest retailer for Rolex, Cartier, Omega, TAG Heuer and Breitling watches.

Mappin & Webb holds Royal warrants as goldsmiths, silversmiths and jeweller to Her Majesty The Queen and silversmiths to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. The Mappin & Webb master jeweller has been Crown Jeweller, custodian of the Crown Jewels of Her Majesty The Queen since 2012.

Analyst & shareholder enquiries

The Watches of Switzerland Group

Anders Romberg

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7317 4605

Email: investor.relations@thewosgroup.com

Media enquiries

Finsbury

Charles O'Brien

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7251 3801

Email: WoS@finsbury.com