Kathmandu, the outdoor equipment and clothing retailer, posted a 43 per cent slump in first-half profit as a highly competitive market squeezed its margins. The shares fell 4.8 per cent.
Profit was $6 million, or 2.9 cents per share, in the six months ended Jan. 31, down from $10.5 million a year earlier, the company said in a statement. Sales climbed 15 per cent to $145.7 million, but heavy discounting led to margins shrinking 2 percentage points to 62.7 per cent. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation fell 27 per cent to $17 million.
"Sales over the period were very strong, however this was achieved at lower gross margins and incurred higher costs," chief executive Peter Halkett said. "Following slow Christmas trading, more aggressive promotional and marketing activity was undertaken during January to maximise profits and rate of inventory sell-through."
In December, Kathmandu warned its first-half earnings would be weaker than in 2011 amid tepid demand in the traditionally busy Christmas period.
Halkett said it was too difficult to provide specific annual earnings guidance given the market conditions, though sales have been improving since Christmas. The lower margins are expected to continue in the second half of the financial year.
