DGAP-News: GERRY WEBER pushes past the EUR 500 million sales mark

Gerry Weber International AG / Final Results/Preliminary Results

07.01.2008 

Release of a Corporate-announcement, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Preliminary 2006/2007 figures show double-digit growth as well as record
sales and earnings numbers
Clear dividend rise to EUR 0.50 planned
EUR 575 million sales target announced for FY 2007/2008


Reporting new record numbers for the fiscal year 2006/2007, GERRY WEBER
International AG has exceeded its sales and earnings targets and
impressively continued the dynamic growth seen in recent years. Preliminary
figures show sales at approximately EUR 505.0 million which is 14.0 percent
up on the previous year's EUR 442.8 million and even clearly ahead of the
targeted EUR 500.0 million. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose
even faster by 25.9 percent to EUR 51.6 million (previous year 41.0
million). The EBIT margin improved by just under one percentage point from
the previous year's 9.3 percent to 10.2 percent in the financial year
2006/2007. Managing Board Chairman Gerhard Weber said: 'These record
numbers mean that we have opened a new chapter in our company's history.
For the first time ever we have pushed past the magical mark of half a
billion euros in sales, with our EBIT margin moving into double digit
territory at the same time. This proves the wisdom of the expansion
strategy we have pursued in recent years and we will continue to go all out
for growth in the future as well!'

The clear sales growth is primarily attributable to higher sales for the
GERRY WEBER core brand and the excellent development of the retail segment
which groups the sales of the 66 company-managed HOUSES OF GERRY WEBER.
Retail was the Group's fastest growing segment in the financial year
2006/2007, with growth coming both from the opening of another 15 own
HOUSES OF GERRY WEBER and from higher same-store sales. A total of 177
HOUSES OF GERRY WEBER are currently managed by the company and its
franchisees.

A very positive development was also recorded in the monobrand stores for
the younger TAIFUN-Collection label, the SAMOON plus sizes collection and
the successful GERRY WEBER EDITION sublabel. The 1,198 shop-in-shop outlets
contributed to overall sales growth as well.

The significant sales increase in 2006/2007 was accompanied by clearly
disproportional profit growth which primarily reflected the GERRY WEBER
Group's exceptional positioning in the market. The optimised operational
processes and the cost-efficient procurement structures also helped to
drive the margin. Gerhard Weber commented: 'Our dual growth in terms of
both sales and earnings demonstrates our optimal strategic positioning. We
have not only evolved into a lifestyle group but have also taken the right
path with our retail concept which has allowed us to positively
differentiate ourselves from our competitors. In addition, the internal
restructuring efforts completed in recent years are now unfolding a
sustained effect for us.'

In light of the good earnings position the Managing Board will propose to
the June 4, 2008 Annual General Meeting a profit distribution of EUR 11.5
million or EUR 0.50 per share. This improves on the previous year's payout
by EUR 0.10 or 25 percent. The highest regular dividend ever paid out in
the company's history is meant to give the shareholders an appropriate
share in the company's excellent results.

The GERRY WEBER Group intends to maintain its fast pace of growth in the
financial year 2007/2008. Management has announced a sales target of EUR
575 million, meaning that sales are once again to grow by a double digit
margin. The 14 percent rise in orders received for the third collection of
the spring/summer 2008 season demonstrates that the GERRY WEBER Group is
excellently positioned to attain this target. To help boost the retail
activities, another 60 HOUSES OF GERRY WEBER are to be opened during the
current financial year. Numerous new monobrand stores and another 250
shop-in-shop outlets are planned to be opened during the period as well.
The GERRY WEBER Group is also targeting another improvement in its EBIT
margin to 11.0 percent. Moving forward through the coming five years, sales
are to double to EUR 1 billion, with the EBIT margin rising to 15.0 percent
through this period.


Hans-Dieter Kley
Phone: +49 (0) 52 01 18 5-0
Fax: +49 (0) 52 01 58 57
E-mail: b.uhlenbusch@gerryweber.de
www.gerryweber-ag.de



DGAP 07.01.2008 
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Language:     English
Issuer:       Gerry Weber International AG
              Neulehenstraße 8
              33790 Halle/Westfalen
              Deutschland
Phone:        +49 (0)5201 185-0
Fax:          +49 (0)5201 5857
E-mail:       h.kley@gerryweber.de
Internet:     www.gerryweber-ag.de
ISIN:         DE0003304101
WKN:          330410
Indices:      SDAX
Listed:       Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Düsseldorf;
              Freiverkehr in Berlin, Stuttgart
End of News                                     DGAP News-Service
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