Car dealership group sees sales fall but says it will still be profitable

Altrincham-based motor dealership Lookers reported a fall in sales in the two months ended February 29, today, even ahead of the effect of the current coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

In a trading update this morning, Lookers said it recorded a like-for-like decline in new vehicle sales versus last year of -4.8% compared with a UK new car market which declined by -5.8%.

In the period like-for-like unit sales of used vehicles declined by -2.6%, while like-for-like aftersales revenue was up by 0.9%.

In addition to the vehicle sales volume decline the group also suffered margin pressure primarily driven by a management decision to reduce its holding of aged used and demonstrator inventory.

This was partly offset by a reduction in operating costs, following a series of management actions implemented in November 2019, including a headcount and recruitment freeze.

Headcount is currently six per cent below the level at the start of the initiative. As a result of this and other actions, like-for-like operating costs in the period were marginally below last year’s levels.

On March 23, to protect the safety and welfare of its people and customers and in response to government social distancing advice, the board took the decision to temporarily close all its trading locations.

Following the introduction of new operating measures, the group has subsequently partly reopened 31 locations which are providing essential repairs and maintenance to key workers’ vehicles and 10 parts distribution centres.

The group announced in November that it had identified 15 sites for closure as part of its ongoing portfolio review.

This programme is largely complete and liberated nine freehold sites.

Lookers has now sold seven sites, generating proceeds of £17.6m in 2019.

The remainder, along with other surplus freehold properties, will be sold during 2020.

With the support of its brand partners this review remains ongoing and the board anticipates that further opportunities exist which will drive profitability and release capital during the second half of 2020.

The board said it is continuing to take a prudent and decisive approach to managing cash.

It has furloughed approximately 7,000 staff. All members of the board and senior management have agreed to temporary reductions of up to 30% to their contractual remuneration.

As reported in the group’s year end trading update the board expects to report net debt at December 31, 2019 of around £62.0m (2018: £86.9m).

Net debt on a cleared funds basis as at the date of today’s announcement is approximately £65m. The group’s £250m revolving credit facility with five banks expires in March 2022.

On March 10, 2020, the group announced a delay to the publication of its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2019 due to the identification of potentially fraudulent transactions in one of its operating divisions.

During March 2020, in conjunction with Grant Thornton, the board commenced an investigation, the initial phase of which is now complete.

The initial phase of the investigation focused on the operating division concerned and identified certain misrepresented debtor balances in respect of bonus receivables together with a number of fraudulent expenses claims.

These items are expected to give rise to a one-off, non-cash charge, in the 2019 financial statements of around £4m.

At the request of the board the initial investigation was extended across all operating divisions.

As a result of movement restrictions during the COVID-19 crisis this remains ongoing.

Initial indications have identified some operating divisions where certain non-cash balance sheet accounts have not been fully reconciled, in accordance with group policy. These items are expected to give rise to a one-off, non-cash charge, however this part of the investigation is still ongoing.

While the aggregate impact of the fraud investigation is not yet known, the board currently anticipates that the group will still be profitable for fiscal year 2019 on an underlying profit before tax basis.

Net debt at December 31, 2019 is not anticipated to be impacted by any of the investigations finding to date.

The board said it is contemplating a range of post COVID-19 reopening scenarios and is considering the challenge of managing the group’s cost base against what the board considers will be materially lower volumes, as a consequence of continued social distancing measures.

Given the ongoing uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19 situation the board continues to believe that it is too early to make any reasonable estimate of the financial impact on the group during 2020 and beyond.

Chief executive Mark Raban said: “These are challenging times and on behalf of everyone at Lookers our first thoughts remain for those impacted by the virus and those serving on the front line.

“I want to thank all my colleagues who have been furloughed for their patience and understanding during a difficult time for all.

“We are also continuing to take prudent steps, with the support of our major stakeholders, to ensure that the business returns to full operation in the best possible condition.”