Issue 49/08

Europe - Notes from John Collins

So how did we do this week?

WEEK 49

Europe Sales	LY	Target	Actual	% Target	LY %
Made to Measure	26,933	10,651	12,830	107%	48%
Ready to Wear	28,446	38,090	44,883	118%	158%
Total Week	55,379	48,741	57,713	104%	118%

A good week against target with Made to Measure coming in at 107% of target, showing that the 50% sale getting off to a good start in most places. Ready to wear came in at 118% of target which was a tremendous increase over last year of 158% with customers buying for Easter, which is early this year.

This week a name that has been missing from the top five is back to the pleasure of us all except Vince.

So how did the individual branches do?

Full time branches:

• No 1 Heidelberg: Alan Self 185% of combined targets and 168% on last year. Great week Alan, not only number one on target but also in sales with $8169 - a good Saturday helped. Alan helps himself with his own store announcements; everybody knows when Alan has a sale.
• No 2 Lakenheath: Gary Bloom (He’s back) 147% of combined targets. Nice to see Gary back in the top five - where have you been the last few weeks ?? although some of the lads will not be to happy right Vince??
• No 3 Stuttgart: Vince Blackett 137% of combined targets. Another good week Vince well done, but you will have to try a little harder next week as Gary is back on form.
• No 4 Chievres: Dave Cox 126% of combined target. Good effort again this week Dave, you just cannot get past that other Geordie, although your percentage against last year was better.
• No 5 Ramstein: Trevor and Rob 111% of combined target and an amazing 184% of last year, it must have been very quiet last year. Well done to you both.

Just missing out on the top five but with an increase to target are:-

• Grafenwoehr 109% of combined targets - very nice to see Paul.
• Mannheim 107% of combined targets with $1246 on made to measure well done Melvyn, I know it is hard with 80% of troops either downrange or getting ready to go.
• Wiesbaden 105% of combined targets a good effort Geoff and Rob.
• Geoff Heath who is doing relief in Schweinfurt and Bamberg while Dave Tindell is on holiday, came in with a $5195 total trade from both branches, again a very good job as these two bases are not at full strength.

TIP

Display the lighter coloured suits and accessories to introduce spring into the stores.

Thank you, Good Luck and Good Trading.

John Collins
ASM

PRESS RELEASE 11 MARCH 2008

ARAFA HOLDING ACQUIRES SPECIALITY RETAIL GROUP LTD (SRG)

Al Arafa for Investment and Consultancies “Arafa Holding”, is pleased to announce that today it has signed a share purchase agreement with Gresham LLP, a private equity house, to acquire 100% of SRG.

SRG is one of the UK’s leading independent men’s retailers with 71 stores, over 600 staff and a turnover of £63 million. The company operates under the brand names Suits You, Racing Green and Young’s formal hire. The completion date for the transaction is set on March 31st 2008.

Arafa Holding, is a publicly quoted company based in Egypt, it was founded in 1907 and has a long history of supplying high quality menswear fabrics and tailored products to prestigious brand houses and retailers throughout the world. SRG will represent Arafa Holding’s retail arm in the UK and is consistent with its policy of expanding its position as a Retailer, Distributor and Wholesaler of Menswear throughout Europe.

Dr Alaa Arafa, Chairman of Arafa Holding said of the SRG acquisition:-

“As the Arafa Group develops its interests across Europe, a retail acquisition in the UK of a business that is currently a major customer to our Group, is a logical development. This acquisition is being made as a stand alone development opportunity for the Group and is not linked to Arafa Holding’s other investments in Europe.

SRG develops our presence in retail and plays synergistically to our strengths. We believe that with our Group’s supply chain support and financial investment the SRG management can further develop the Suits You, Racing Green and Young’s hire brands”.

For further press comment contact:

Dr Alaa Arafa, Chairman and CEO Arafa Holding
Peter Lucas, Chairman Al Arafa for Investment in Marketing and Distributing Garments
Tel: 0113 2595500 / Email: peter.lucas@bmb-group.co.uk

PRESS RELEASE 3 MARCH 2008

BMB Clothing Limited has exchanged contracts with John Langford to acquire some of its Trademark licenses and assets including Pierre Cardin shirts and casual wear, Piscador, Frederick Theak, Sangan, and Haines & Bonner. The contract will complete on the 1st July 2008.

The two businesses will work together between now and then to ensure continuity and no disruption to existing customers and suppliers. Simon Crowther and his team will be working with Mark Cotter (Group Managing Director) over the coming months to ensure a seamless transition.

Peter Lucas, Chairman of BMB Group, said “we are delighted to add these brands to our existing portfolio and we will be working with Simon Crowther, Chairman of John Langford, to ensure that we get continuity and growth for all of the brands over the coming years.

Simon Crowther commented that “he is delighted that the brands have been acquired by one of the biggest menswear wholesalers in the UK and I am confident that they will now continue to grow and develop to their full potential over the coming years.”

Any enquiries may be directed to:
Mark Cotter, BMB Group Managing Director on 0113 259 5500
Peter Lucas, BMB Group Chairman & CEO on 0113 259 5500
Simon Crowther, John Langford Chairman on 01582 509888