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E-retailer Zalando to Buy About You for $1.2 Bln

FILED - 03 March 2021, Berlin: The logo of online retailer Zalando is pictured on the Zalando Campus at Mercedes-Platz in Berlin. Photo: Jens Kalaene/ZB/dpa
FILED - 03 March 2021, Berlin: The logo of online retailer Zalando is pictured on the Zalando Campus at Mercedes-Platz in Berlin. Photo: Jens Kalaene/ZB/dpa
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E-retailer Zalando to Buy About You for $1.2 Bln

FILED - 03 March 2021, Berlin: The logo of online retailer Zalando is pictured on the Zalando Campus at Mercedes-Platz in Berlin. Photo: Jens Kalaene/ZB/dpa
FILED - 03 March 2021, Berlin: The logo of online retailer Zalando is pictured on the Zalando Campus at Mercedes-Platz in Berlin. Photo: Jens Kalaene/ZB/dpa

German online retailer Zalando said on Wednesday it had struck a deal to buy rival fashion group About You for 1.1 billion euros ($1.2 billion), as part of plans to create a pan-European e-commerce platform.
The cash offer corresponds to 6.50 euros per share, a 107% premium to About You's three-month average stock price. About You's shares closed at 3.90 euros on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
Zalando's shares were down 8% at 0805 GMT, headed for their biggest daily percentage fall in two years, following news of the deal.
The proposed takeover comes as the rapid growth of low-priced fast-fashion retailer Shein has put pressure on online players across Europe that have struggled to compete on price.
"The planned two-brand strategy would significantly increase the group's presence in the pan-European markets," said About You's major shareholder, German retail group Otto.
The combined business of Zalando and About You aims to have an adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) margin of between 10% and 13%, Zalando said in a statement.
Zalando said that Otto and an investment company controlled by Heartland A/S, as well as About You's board members, had decided to accept the offer.
Otto brought About You onto the stock exchange three and a half years ago at an issue price of 23 euros per share.

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Fashion

Birkenstock Results Beat on Resilient Demand, Forecasts Margin Recovery

A Birkenstock shoe is displayed at Birkenstock shoe store in London, Britain, October 11, 2023. (Reuters)
A Birkenstock shoe is displayed at Birkenstock shoe store in London, Britain, October 11, 2023. (Reuters)
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Birkenstock Results Beat on Resilient Demand, Forecasts Margin Recovery

A Birkenstock shoe is displayed at Birkenstock shoe store in London, Britain, October 11, 2023. (Reuters)
A Birkenstock shoe is displayed at Birkenstock shoe store in London, Britain, October 11, 2023. (Reuters)

Birkenstock beat market expectations for fourth-quarter results on robust demand for its pricey footwear and forecast a recovery in margins in fiscal 2025, sending the company's shares up 7% on Wednesday.

With fresh styles becoming a priority for consumers, Birkenstock's sandals and closed-toe clogs have drawn new customers both at its own stores and at retailers.

The company bypassed steep discounting trends evident during the holiday shopping season, which Birkenstock executives said was off to a strong start globally.

"The expansion of ranges into more closed-toe silhouette has helped boost revenue, given that they offer multi-season wear," Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said.

Germany-based Birkenstock's average selling prices across its product range were up 8% in fiscal 2024, in part due to higher sales of clogs, the company said, adding that closed-toe styles now made up about a third of its business.

The company has invested in expanding its global store presence and increasing manufacturing capacity this year to meet demand.

While it led to a 330-basis point drop in gross margins in fiscal 2024, Birkenstock forecast a recovery in margins in fiscal 2025 as it ramps up production from new facilities.

The company reported fourth-quarter revenue of 455.8 million euros ($478.27 million), compared with the average analyst estimate of 439.2 million euros, according to data compiled by LSEG.

However, Birkenstock's forecast for fiscal 2025 revenue to increase between 15% and 17% was below estimates of 17.5% growth.

"It would appear with this incredibly healthy growth, the company is choosing to adopt a conservative approach that they expect to be able to meet and beat," BMO Capital Markets analyst Simeon Siegel said.

On an adjusted basis, Birkenstock earned 0.29 euro per share, beating estimates of 0.26 euro.