zooplus AG: Significant increase in Q1 2012 total sales

zooplus AG / Key word(s): Quarter Results/Miscellaneous

21.05.2012 / 06:57

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- Sales and total sales increase significantly by 25% and 21% respectively
year-on-year
- EBITDA at EUR 0.4 million (previous year: EUR -1.1 million)
- Positive after-tax profit 
- New local web shops opened in Hungary, Romania and Slovenia 

Munich, May 21, 2012 - zooplus AG (WKN 511170, ISIN DE0005111702, ticker
symbol ZO1), Europe's leading online pet supplies retailer achieved
significant growth in total sales (sales and other income) in the first
three months of 2012 according to final figures. Total sales rose from EUR
60.6 million to EUR 73.6 million year-on-year. The company's organic growth
was essentially driven by a 25% rise in sales to EUR 70.3 million (previous
year: EUR 56.3 million). zooplus also recorded other income of around EUR
3.3 million.

The company's earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation (EBITDA)
came in at EUR 0.4 million compared with EUR -1.1 million during the same
period in 2011. zooplus also posted a positive net profit of EUR 0.1
million (previous year: EUR -1.0 million) during the period, resulting in
earnings per share of EUR 0.01 compared with EUR -0.17 during Q1 2011.

On the assets side, a reduction in current assets to EUR 50.0 million
(December 31, 2011: EUR 66.2 million) resulted in a considerably leaner
overall balance sheet structure. At the same time, the company's total
equity increased to EUR 35.7 million compared to EUR 35.5 million at year
end 2011. The company's total equity ratio therefore stood at 61% as at
March 31 and is, therefore, significantly above the long-term target range
of between 30% and 40%. Total assets decreased to EUR 58.7 million
(December 31, 2011: EUR 75.1 million).

Commenting on the business performance during the period under review,
Florian Seubert, CFO, said: 'As anticipated we are fully on track with
respect to our total quarterly sales growth. We nevertheless do see further
scope for increased future growth. Our internationalization strategy will
play a key role in this respect. We are pleased to be serving Hungary,
Romania and Slovenia with localized online shops by now. E-commerce
continues to rapidly gain in importance within European pet supplies
retail. We are striving to ensure zooplus achieves maximum growth in all
key markets and are aiming to achieve total sales of at least EUR 320
million in the current financial year, increasing to at least EUR 400
million in 2013, whilst showing positive EBITDA in both years.'

The full report for the first quarter 2012 is available as a download in
the 'Investor Relations' section of the website www.zooplus.de.


Company profile:
zooplus was founded in 1999 and has established itself as Europe's leading
online retailer for pet products, measured by sales and total sales. In
2011, the latter amounted to
EUR 257 mm and has therefore increased seven-fold during the last five
years. The company's business model has already been introduced
successfully in 21 European countries. zooplus offers products for all pet
varieties. Its product range comprises foods (dry and wet pet foods as well
as pet food supplements) and pet accessories (such as cat trees, dog
baskets and toys) in all price categories. In addition to a selection of
over 8,000 products, zooplus customers benefit from a range of interactive
online content and community features. Pet supplies is a key market segment
within the European retail landscape. In 2011, sales of more than EUR 19
billion were recorded within the pet supplies industry in the European
Union. The ongoing 'humanization' of pets in key industrialized countries
means that pet owners' purchasing behavior is undergoing profound change
and moving towards healthcare, wellness and other related premium products.
In addition, continued strong growth is expected for eCommerce in Europe
per se. zooplus is therefore anticipating continued dynamic growth for the
future.


Online at: www.zooplus.de


Investor relations contact:
cometis AG
Henryk Deter / Dirk Ulmer
Tel.: +49 (0)611-205855-24
Fax: +49 (0)611-205855-66
E-mail: ulmer@cometis.de


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Language:    English                                           
Company:     zooplus AG                                        
             Sonnenstraße 15                                   
             80331 München                                     
             Germany                                           
Phone:       +49 (0)89 95 006 - 100                            
Fax:         +49 (0)89 95 006 - 500                            
E-mail:      contact@zooplus.com                               
Internet:    www.zooplus.de                                    
ISIN:        DE0005111702                                      
WKN:         511170                                            
Indices:     SDAX                                              
Listed:      Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard);  
             Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart      
 
 
End of News    DGAP News-Service  
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