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Thu 30 Oct 2008, 14:00 FOS / FOSP - Foschini - Unaudited Interim Profit Announcement and dividend
FOS   FOSP
FOS                                                                             
FOS / FOSP - Foschini - Unaudited Interim Profit Announcement and dividend      
                        declaration                                             
Foschini Limited                                                                
Registration number: 1937/009504/06                                             
Share codes: FOS-FOSP                                                           
ISIN codes: ZAE000031019 - ZAE000031027                                         
The following are the Foschini group results for the half-year ended 30         
September 2008.                                                                 
This report has not been audited or reviewed by the company`s auditors.         
SALIENT FEATURES                                                                
* Retail turnover up 2,9% to R 3,8 billion                                      
* Diluted headline earnings per share down 1,3% to 227,7 cents                  
* Interim dividend maintained at 118,0 cents per share                          
* Sustained strong balance sheet                                                
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT                                                   
26 weeks ended                52 weeks                 
                                                       ended                    
                    30.09.2008   30.09.2007            31.03.2008               
                    Unaudited    Unaudited   Change    Audited                  
Rm           Rm          %         Rm                       
Revenue (note 4)     4 663,0      4 416,5               9 253,6                 
                    =======      =======               =======                  
Retail turnover      3 773,3      3 666,3     2,9       7 668,7                 
Cost of turnover     (2 213,8)    (2 153,5)             (4 479,2)               
                    -------      -------               -------                  
Gross profit         1 559,5      1 512,8               3 189,5                 
Interest received    602,6        512,6                 1 056,4                 
(note 5)                                                                        
Dividends received   3,9          8,2                   17,2                    
Net trading          (1 329,5)    (1 170,3)             (2 357,6)               
expenses (note 6)                                                               
---------    ---------             ---------                
Operating profit     836,5        863,3                 1 905,5                 
before finance                                (3,1)                             
charges                                                                         
Interest paid        (109,2)      (58,4)                (120,1)                 
Income from          0,2          -                     0,9                     
associate                                                                       
                    ---------    ---------   ------    ---------                
Profit before tax    727,5        804,9       (9,6)     1 786,3                 
Income tax expense   (232,3)      (261,8)               (580,2)                 
                    ---------    ---------   ------    ---------                
Profit for the       495,2        543,1                 1 206,1                 
period                                                                          
                    =========    =========             =========                
Attributable to:                                                                
Equity holders of    469,5        493,2       (4,8)     1 128,4                 
Foschini Limited                                                                
Minority interest    25,7         49,9                  77,7                    
                    ---------    ---------             ---------                
Profit for the       495,2        543,1                 1 206,1                 
period                                                                          
                    =========    =========             =========                
EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE (CENTS)                                             
Basic                    229,5      236,0       (2,7)   547,0                   
Headline                 229,5      236,0       (2,7)   547,0                   
Diluted (basic)          227,7      230,7       (1,3)   538,0                   
Diluted (headline)       227,7      230,7       (1,3)   538,0                   
DIVIDEND PER ORDINARY SHARE (CENTS)                                             
Interim                  118,0      118,0               118,0                   
Final                    -          -                   170,0                   
                        ------     ------      ------  ------                   
Total                    118,0      118,0               288,0                   
------     ------      ------  ------                   
DIVIDEND COVER           1,9        2,0                 1,9                     
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET                                                      
                             Sept. 2008   Sept. 2007   March 2008               
Unaudited    Unaudited    Audited                  
                             Rm           Rm           Rm                       
ASSETS                                                                          
Non-current assets                                                              
Property, plant and           912,4        829,3        847,4                   
equipment                                                                       
Goodwill and intangible       37,9         32,6         30,8                    
assets                                                                          
Preference share investment   200,0        200,0        200,0                   
Investment in associate       4,4          -            5,0                     
Staff housing loans           1,2          1,5          1,3                     
Private label card            392,7        178,4        253,0                   
receivables                                                                     
Loan receivables              673,3        651,7        567,3                   
Participation in export       89,8         101,8        92,5                    
partnerships                                                                    
Deferred taxation asset       174,5        179,7        174,5                   
                             ----------   ----------   ----------               
                             2 486,2      2 175,0      2 171,8                  
                             ----------   ----------   ----------               
Current assets                                                                  
Inventory (note 7)            1 282,8      1 338,3      1 290,0                 
Trade receivables - retail    2 467,5      2 243,0      2 414,9                 
Private label card            966,3        773,0        815,3                   
receivables                                                                     
Other receivables and         176,7        84,7         162,1                   
prepayments                                                                     
Loan receivables              164,6        147,8        148,9                   
Participation in export       7,1          6,1          8,0                     
partnerships                                                                    
Cash and cash equivalents     68,7         72,1         63,4                    
                             ----------   ----------   ----------               
5 133,7      4 665,0      4 902,6                  
                             ----------   ----------   ----------               
Total assets                  7 619,9      6 840,0      7 074,4                 
                             ==========   ==========   ==========               
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                                                          
Equity attributable to        3 982,0      3 381,9      3 845,2                 
equity holders of Foschini                                                      
Limited                                                                         
Minority interest             316,6        265,8        290,9                   
                             --------     --------     --------                 
Total equity                  4 298,6      3 647,7      4 136,1                 
                             --------     --------     --------                 
Non-current liabilities                                                         
Interest-bearing debt         1 948,8      1 675,7      561,3                   
Operating lease liability     128,7        133,2        128,7                   
Deferred taxation liability   156,5        146,8        156,5                   
Post-retirement defined       84,1         84,1         84,1                    
benefit plan                                                                    
                             ----------   ----------   ----------               
                             2 318,1      2 039,8      930,6                    
----------   ----------   ----------               
Current liabilities                                                             
Interest-bearing debt         65,3         9,7          1 201,0                 
Trade and other payables      894,0        1 122,2      741,8                   
Taxation payable              43,9         20,6         64,9                    
                             ----------   ----------   ----------               
                             1 003,2      1 152,5      2 007,7                  
                             ----------   ----------   ----------               
Total liabilities             3 321,3      3 192,3      2 938,3                 
                             ----------   ----------   ----------               
Total equity and liabilities  7 619,9      6 840,0      7 074,4                 
                             ==========   ==========   ==========               
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY                                     
                             Equity       Minority     Total                    
                             holders of   interest     equity                   
                             Foschini                                           
Limited                                            
                             Rm           Rm           Rm                       
Equity at 31 March 2007       3 823,6      181,3        4 004,9                 
Profit for the half-year      493,2        49,9         543,1                   
Change in degree of control   -            119,4        119,4                   
Profit on dilution of         92,1         -            92,1                    
interest in subsidiary                                                          
Share-based payments reserve  15,8         -            15,8                    
movements                                                                       
Dividends paid                (352,2)      (84,8)       (437,0)                 
Proceeds on delivery of       72,1         -            72,1                    
shares by share trust                                                           
Shares purchased by share     (760,4)      -            (760,4)                 
trust and subsidiary                                                            
Effective portion of changes  (2,3)        -            (2,3)                   
in fair value of cash flow                                                      
hedges                                                                          
                             ----------   ----------   ----------               
Equity at 30 September 2007   3 381,9      265,8        3 647,7                 
Profit for the half-year      635,2        27,8         663,0                   
Investment in associate       -            (2,7)        (2,7)                   
Share-based payments reserve  14,9         -            14,9                    
movements                                                                       
Insurance cell reserves       1,5          -            1,5                     
movements                                                                       
Dividends paid                (240,4)       -           (240,4)                 
Proceeds on delivery of       37,4         -            37,4                    
shares by share trust                                                           
Effective portion of changes  14,7         -            14,7                    
in fair value of cash flow                                                      
hedges                                                                          
                             ----------   ----------   ----------               
Equity at 31 March 2008       3 845,2      290,9        4 136,1                 
Profit for the half-year      469,5        25,7         495,2                   
Share-based payments reserve  11,9         -            11,9                    
movements                                                                       
Insurance cell reserves       0,5          -            0,5                     
movements                                                                       
Dividends paid                (347,8)      -            (347,8)                 
Proceeds on delivery of       0,6          -            0,6                     
shares by share trust                                                           
Effective portion of changes  2,1          -            2,1                     
in fair value of cash flow                                                      
hedges                                                                          
----------   ----------   ----------               
Equity at 30 September 2008   3 982,0      316,6        4 298,6                 
                             ==========   ==========   ==========               
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION                                                       
Sept. 2008   Sept. 2007   March 2008               
                             Unaudited    Unaudited    Audited                  
Net ordinary shares in issue  204,6        203,1        204,6                   
(millions)                                                                      
Weighted average ordinary     204,6        209,0        206,3                   
shares in issue (millions)                                                      
Tangible net asset value per  1 927,7      1 649,1      1 862,7                 
ordinary share (cents)                                                          
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT                                                
                             Sept. 2008   Sept. 2007   March 2008               
                             Unaudited    Unaudited    Audited                  
                             Rm           Rm           Rm                       
Cash flows from operating                                                       
activities                                                                      
Operating profit before       353,2        468,1        1 074,2                 
working capital changes                                                         
(note 8)                                                                        
Decrease (increase) in        94,8         (3,1)        (568,3)                 
working capital                                                                 
                             ----------   ----------   ----------               
Cash generated by operations  448,0        465,0        505,9                   
Increase in private label     (123,4)      (124,7)      (241,6)                 
card receivables                                                                
(Increase) decrease in loan   (121,7)      67,0         150,3                   
receivables                                                                     
Interest received             602,6        512,6        1 056,4                 
Interest paid                 (109,2)      (58,4)       (120,1)                 
Taxation paid                 (253,3)      (475,9)      (735,1)                 
Dividends received            3,9          8,2          17,2                    
Dividends paid                (347,8)      (437,0)      (677,4)                 
                             ----------   ----------   ----------               
Net cash inflows (outflows)   99,1         (43,2)       (44,4)                  
from operating activities                                                       
                             ----------   ----------   ----------               
Cash flows from investing                                                       
activities                                                                      
Purchase of property, plant   (177,9)      (146,4)      (274,4)                 
and equipment                                                                   
Proceeds from sale of         2,4          2,7          6,4                     
property, plant and                                                             
equipment                                                                       
Acquisition of client list    (0,2)        (2,8)        (1,8)                   
Investment in associate       -            -            (6,1)                   
Dividend from associate       0,8          -            -                       
Acquisition of                (175,0)      -            -                       
Massdiscounters` receivables                                                    
book                                                                            
Decrease in participation in  3,6          3,2          10,6                    
export partnerships                                                             
Decrease in staff housing     0,1          1,4          1,6                     
loans                                                                           
Proceeds on dilution of       -            211,5        211,5                   
interest in subsidiary                                                          
                             ----------   ----------   ----------               
Net cash (outflows) inflows   (346,2)      69,6         (52,2)                  
from investing activities                                                       
----------   ----------   ----------               
Cash flows from financing                                                       
activities                                                                      
Shares purchased by share     -            (760,4)      (760,4)                 
trust and subsidiary                                                            
Proceeds on delivery of       0,6          72,1         109,5                   
shares by share trust                                                           
Increase in interest-bearing  251,8        664,9        741,8                   
debt                                                                            
                             ----------   ----------   ----------               
Net cash inflows (outflows)   252,4        (23,4)       90,9                    
from financing activities                                                       
----------   ----------   ----------               
Net increase (decrease) in    5,3          3,0          (5,7)                   
cash and cash equivalents                                                       
during the period                                                               
Cash and cash equivalents at  63,4         69,1         69,1                    
the beginning of the period                                                     
                             ----------   ----------   ----------               
Cash and cash equivalents at  68,7         72,1         63,4                    
the end of the period                                                           
                             ==========   ==========   ==========               
NOTES                                                                           
1. The unaudited results for the half-year ended 30 September 2008 have been    
prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting, using the       
group`s accounting policies, that are in line with International Financial      
Reporting Standards (IFRS) and have been consistently applied to prior periods. 
2. These financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the       
company, all its subsidiaries and all entities over which it has operational and
financial control.                                                              
3. Included in share capital are 24,0(2007: 24,0) million shares which are owned
by a subsidiary of the company, and 11,9(2007: 13,4) million shares which are   
owned by the share incentive trust. These have been eliminated on consolidation.
                             Sept. 2008   Sept. 2007    March 2008              
                             Unaudited    Unaudited     Audited                 
                             Rm           Rm            Rm                      
4. REVENUE                                                                      
Retail turnover               3 773,3      3 666,3       7 668,7                
Interest received (refer      602,6        512,6         1 056,4                
note 5)                                                                         
Dividends received - retail   3,9          8,2           17,2                   
Merchant`s commission - RCS   19,6         19,2          39,7                   
Group                                                                           
Club income - retail          88,2         84,7          175,6                  
Club income - RCS Group       2,9          2,7           5,5                    
Customer charges income -     8,9          8,5           16,5                   
retail                                                                          
Customer charges income -     63,4         44,8          99,1                   
RCS Group                                                                       
Insurance income - retail     46,1         18,8          80,0                   
Insurance income - RCS Group  37,7         36,8          66,0                   
Cellular income - one2one     12,2         10,4          22,6                   
airtime product                                                                 
Sundry income - retail        4,2          3,5           6,3                    
                             -------      -------       -------                 
                             4 663,0      4 416,5       9 253,6                 
-------      -------       -------                 
5. INTEREST RECEIVED                                                            
Trade receivables - retail    245,0        176,7         385,5                  
Loan receivables              141,4        167,7         314,7                  
Private label card            210,1        165,7         347,9                  
receivables                                                                     
Sundry - RCS Group            1,4          0,6           1,1                    
Sundry - retail               4,7          1,9           7,2                    
-------      -------       -------                 
                             602,6        512,6         1 056,4                 
                             -------      -------       -------                 
6. NET TRADING EXPENSES                                                         
Depreciation and              (110,7)      (98,0)        (204,7)                
amortisation                                                                    
Employee costs: normal        (546,3)      (500,7)       (1 053,9)              
Employee costs: bonuses and   (0,7)        (32,9)        (35,4)                 
restraint payments                                                              
Employee costs: share-based   (11,9)       (15,8)        (30,7)                 
payments                                                                        
Store occupancy costs:        (314,3)      (270,6)       (575,8)                
normal                                                                          
Store occupancy costs:        -            (12,1)        (7,7)                  
operating lease liability                                                       
adjustment                                                                      
Net bad debt and provision    (113,8)      (101,3)       (217,2)                
movement - retail                                                               
Net bad debt and provision    (158,2)      (89,7)        (253,7)                
movement - RCS Group                                                            
Other operating costs         (356,8)      (278,6)       (489,8)                
Other revenue                 283,2        229,4         511,3                  
                             ----------   ----------    ----------              
                             (1 329,5)    (1 170,3)     (2 357,6)               
----------   ----------    ----------              
7. INVENTORY                                                                    
Merchandise                   1 204,5      1 271,6       1 227,5                
Raw materials                 47,3         45,6          32,8                   
Goods in transit              6,5          1,2           10,0                   
Shopfitting stock             21,8         16,7          15,1                   
Consumables                   2,7          3,2           4,6                    
                             ----------   ----------    ----------              
1 282,8      1 338,3       1 290,0                 
                             ----------   ----------    ----------              
8. OPERATING PROFIT BEFORE                                                      
WORKING CAPITAL CHANGES                                                         
Operating profit before       836,5        863,3         1 905,5                
finance charges                                                                 
Interest received             (602,6)      (512,6)       (1 056,4)              
Dividends received            (3,9)        (8,2)         (17,2)                 
Non-cash items                123,2        125,6         242,3                  
                             ----------   ----------    ----------              
Operating profit before       353,2        468,1         1 074,2                
working capital changes                                                         
----------   ----------    ----------              
SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS                                                              
26 weeks ended 30.09.2008                                                       
                            RCS Group    Retail       Consolidated              
Unaudited    Unaudited    Unaudited                 
                            Rm           Rm           Rm                        
REVENUE *                                                                       
External                     476,5        4 186,5      4 663,0                  
Inter-segment                -            -            -                        
                            --------     --------     --------                  
Total revenue                476,5        4 186,5      4 663,0                  
                            --------     --------     --------                  
SEGMENT RESULT                                                                  
Operating profit before      183,8        652,7        836,5                    
finance charges                                                                 
                            --------     --------     --------                  
External interest            (38,9)       (70,3)       (109,2)                  
Inter-segment interest       (47,5)       47,5         -                        
                            --------     --------     --------                  
Interest paid                (86,4)       (22,8)       (109,2)                  
---------    ---------    --------                  
Profit before tax and        97,4         629,9        727,3                    
income from associate                                                           
                            ---------    ---------    --------                  
* includes retail turnover, interest received and other income                  
SEGMENT ASSETS                                                                  
Non-current assets           1 159,3      1 152,4      2 311,7                  
Current assets               1 151,6      3 982,1      5 133,7                  
Inter-segment assets         12,9         (12,9)       -                        
(liabilities)                                                                   
                            --------     --------     --------                  
Total assets                 2 323,8      5 121,6      7 445,4                  
--------     --------     --------                  
SEGMENT LIABILITIES                                                             
Non-current liabilities      654,7        1 506,9      2 161,6                  
Current liabilities          113,4        845,9        959,3                    
Inter-segment liabilities    839,4        (839,4)      -                        
(assets)                                                                        
                            --------     --------     --------                  
Total liabilities            1 607,5      1 513,4      3 120,9                  
--------     --------     --------                  
SEGMENT INFORMATION                                                             
Capital expenditure          7,8          170,1        177,9                    
Depreciation and             6,6          104,1        110,7                    
amortisation                                                                    
SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS (cont.)                                                      
26 weeks ended 30.09.2007                                                       
                            RCS Group    Retail       Consolidated              
Unaudited    Unaudited    Unaudited                 
                            Rm           Rm           Rm                        
REVENUE *                                                                       
External                     437,5        3 979,0      4 416,5                  
Inter-segment                -            -            -                        
                            --------     --------     --------                  
Total revenue                437,5        3 979,0      4 416,5                  
                            --------     --------     --------                  
SEGMENT RESULT                                                                  
Operating profit before      226,4        636,9        863,3                    
finance charges                                                                 
                            --------     --------     --------                  
External interest            (23,4)       (35,0)       (58,4)                   
Inter-segment interest       (30,7)       30,7         -                        
                            --------     --------     --------                  
Interest paid                (54,1)       (4,3)        (58,4)                   
---------    ---------    --------                  
Profit before tax and        172,3        632,6        804,9                    
income from associate                                                           
                            --------     --------     --------                  
* includes retail turnover, interest received and other income                  
SEGMENT ASSETS                                                                  
Non-current assets           866,1        1 129,2      1 995,3                  
Current assets               936,4        3 728,6      4 665,0                  
Inter-segment assets         14,0         (14,0)       -                        
(liabilities)                                                                   
                            --------     --------     --------                  
Total assets                 1 816,5      4 843,8      6 660,3                  
--------     --------     --------                  
SEGMENT LIABILITIES                                                             
Non-current liabilities      486,9        1 406,1      1 893,0                  
Current liabilities          107,1        1 024,8      1 131,9                  
Inter-segment liabilities    673,7        (673,7)      -                        
(assets)                                                                        
                            --------     --------     --------                  
Total liabilities            1 267,7      1 757,2      3 024,9                  
--------     --------     --------                  
SEGMENT INFORMATION                                                             
Capital expenditure          3,2          143,2        146,4                    
Depreciation and             5,8          92,2         98,0                     
amortisation                                                                    
SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS (cont.)                                                      
52 weeks ended 31.03.2008                                                       
                            RCS Group    Retail       Consolidated              
Audited      Audited      Audited                   
                            Rm           Rm           Rm                        
REVENUE *                                                                       
External                     874,2        8 379,4      9 253,6                  
Inter-segment                -            -            -                        
                            --------     --------     --------                  
Total revenue                874,2        8 379,4      9 253,6                  
                            --------     --------     --------                  
SEGMENT RESULT                                                                  
Operating profit before      386,7        1 518,8      1 905,5                  
finance charges                                                                 
                            --------     --------     --------                  
External interest            (51,8)       (68,3)       (120,1)                  
Inter-segment interest       (65,3)       65,3         -                        
                            --------     --------     --------                  
Interest paid                (117,1)      (3,0)        (120,1)                  
---------    ---------    --------                  
Profit before tax and        269,6        1 515,8      1 785,4                  
income from associate                                                           
                            ---------    ---------    --------                  
* includes retail turnover, interest received and other income                  
SEGMENT ASSETS                                                                  
Non-current assets           871,0        1 126,3      1 997,3                  
Current assets               1 004,6      3 898,0      4 902,6                  
Inter-segment assets         12,9         (12,9)       -                        
(liabilities)                                                                   
                            --------     --------     --------                  
Total assets                 1 888,5      5 011,4      6 899,9                  
--------     --------     --------                  
SEGMENT LIABILITIES                                                             
Non-current liabilities      495,7        278,4        774,1                    
Current liabilities          120,9        1 821,9      1 942,8                  
Inter-segment liabilities    665,9        (665,9)      -                        
(assets)                                                                        
                            --------     --------     --------                  
Total liabilities            1 282,5      1 434,4      2 716,9                  
--------     --------     --------                  
SEGMENT INFORMATION                                                             
Capital expenditure          27,1         247,3        274,4                    
Depreciation and             13,1         191,6        204,7                    
amortisation                                                                    
All retail divisions within the group operate in an established retail market   
and are therefore considered to be subject to similar risks and rewards.        
COMMENT                                                                         
GROUP OVERVIEW                                                                  
In our latest annual report we indicated that this year would undoubtedly be a  
tough year as consumers have to contend with high interest rates, high inflation
and high levels of consumer debt.                                               
Trading conditions in the first half of this year have been difficult.  Retail  
turnover increased by 2,9% to R3,8 billion.  Gross margins for the period were  
the same as the previous year.  Diluted headline earnings per share reduced by  
1,3% to 227,7 cents per share whilst headline earnings per share reduced by 2,7%
to 229,5 cents per share.                                                       
The group`s operating margin for the period reduced to 22,2% from 23,5%.        
The interim dividend has been maintained at 118,0 cents per share.              
TRADING DIVISIONS                                                               
Trading conditions for the period have remained challenging and costs have been 
curtailed to levels appropriate to the expected turnover levels.  Whilst total  
turnover growth was 2,9%, the Foschini division had negative growth of 4,2%     
whilst the remainder of the group grew by 8%.  Product inflation averaged       
approximately 6% for the period.                                                
Retail turnover and growths in the various divisions were as follows:           
                   Number of    Retail        % change                          
                   stores       turnover Rm                                     
@home               66           219,5         6,1                              
Exact!              187          352,4         4,8                              
Foschini            414          1 467,3       (4,2)                            
Markham             211          635,2         12,6                             
Jewellery division  342          509,8         3,9                              
Sports division     234          589,1         9,8                              
                   --------     --------      --------                          
Total               1 454        3 773,3       2,9                              
--------     --------      --------                          
Total same store turnover reduced by 2,5%.  Cash sales as a percentage of total 
sales increased to 36,8% from 35%.                                              
Our @home division continues to expand and increased its store base by five     
stores to 66 during the period, growing its turnover by 6,1% to R219,5 million. 
Same store growth in this competitive sector was -4,9%.                         
Exact! grew its store base by five stores during the period to 187 stores,      
growing its turnover by 4,8% to R352,4 million.  Same store growth was 2,0%.    
The Foschini division increased its store base by 14 stores to 414 stores during
the period with turnover of R1 467,3 million.   Same store turnover reduced by  
8,8%.                                                                           
The new management in our Foschini division is now fully entrenched in the      
business, and whilst it takes time to turn a business of this size, we expect   
the fortunes of this business to improve in the next year.                      
The Markham division continues to trade well in the current climate with        
turnover growth of 12,6% and same store growth of 6,1%.  This division is now   
bearing the fruit of the repositioning exercise towards a younger and more      
fashionable customer which was undertaken in the past few years.   This division
increased its store base by 10 stores to 211 stores.                            
The jewellery division comprising American Swiss Jewellers, Sterns and Matrix   
continues to perform better than expected in the current climate with turnover  
growth of 3,9% and a reduction in same store turnover of 1,7%.  This division   
increased its store base by 16 stores to 342 stores.                            
The sports division, trading as Totalsports, Sportscene and DueSouth traded     
satisfactorily with turnover growth of 9,8% and same store growth of 3,2%.      
Ongoing focus remains on leveraging World Cup 2010 where we are the partner of  
choice for some of the major brands.  This division increased its store base by 
15 stores to 234 stores.                                                        
FG Financial Services - our retail debtors` book, which amounts to R2,5 billion,
increased by 10,0%.  Because of our conservative approach to new account        
openings prior to the NCA, the performance of our debtors` book continues to be 
satisfactory with net bad debt as a percentage of debtors` book increasing      
marginally to 8,5% from 8,3%.  We have made a start, with positive results, in  
offering new customers a 12-month account as an alternative to the current 6-   
month option.                                                                   
RCS GROUP                                                                       
RCS Group provides a range of broader financial services to both customers of   
the group, as well as to customers of retailers outside the group.  This group  
consists of two separate business units namely transactional finance and fixed  
term finance.  At present the transactional finance business comprises the RCS  
general-purpose card and other private label card programmes.  The fixed term   
finance business comprises RCS Personal loans and RCS Home Loans.  This division
experienced a challenging six months with net bad debts costs and provisions    
increasing significantly in line with current market trends.  The quality of new
business written has improved with positive results becoming evident in the     
division`s debtors` roll-rates and vintage graphs.                              
This division has huge growth potential for the future, and in order to lessen  
its dependency on its shareholders for funding, this division is in the process 
of arranging long-term funding from the debt-capital markets.                   
Our group`s shareholding in this division is 55% with the balance being held by 
The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited.                                      
PROSPECTS                                                                       
Retail turnover for the first four weeks of the second half has improved with   
turnover growth of 12%.  Costs remain tightly controlled.  We expect that the   
retail environment will continue to be difficult for the remainder of the year  
as consumers have to contend with high interest rates and high inflation.  The  
second half of the year is heavily dependent on Christmas trading which this    
year, given global economic and financial conditions, is more difficult to      
predict.                                                                        
PREFERENCE DIVIDEND ANNOUNCEMENT                                                
Dividend no. 144 of 3,25% (6,5 cents per share) in respect of the six months    
ending 31 March 2009 has been declared, payable on Monday, 30 March 2009 to     
holders of 6,5% preference shares recorded in the books of the company at the   
close of business on Friday, 27 March 2009.                                     
The last day to trade ("cum" the dividend) in order to participate in the       
dividend will be Friday, 20 March 2009. Foschini Limited preference shares will 
commence trading "ex" the dividend from the commencement of business on Monday, 
23 March 2009 and the record date, as indicated, will be Friday, 27 March 2009. 
Preference shareholders should take note that share certificates may not be     
dematerialised or rematerialised during the period Monday, 23 March 2009 to     
Friday, 27 March 2009, both dates inclusive.                                    
INTERIM ORDINARY DIVIDEND ANNOUNCEMENT                                          
The directors have declared an interim ordinary dividend of 118,0 cents per     
ordinary share payable on Monday, 5 January 2009 to ordinary shareholders       
recorded in the books of the company at the close of business on Friday, 2      
January 2009.                                                                   
The last day to trade ("cum" the dividend) in order to participate in the       
dividend will be Tuesday, 23 December 2008.  Foschini Limited ordinary shares   
will commence trading "ex" the dividend from the commencement of business on    
Wednesday, 24 December 2008 and the record date, as indicated, will be Friday, 2
January 2009.                                                                   
Ordinary shareholders should take note that share certificates may not be       
dematerialised or rematerialised during the period Wednesday, 24 December 2008  
to Friday, 2 January 2009, both dates inclusive.                                
Certificated ordinary shareholders are reminded that all entitlements to        
dividends with a value less than R5,00 per certificated shareholder will be     
aggregated and the proceeds donated to a registered charity of the directors`   
choice, in terms of the articles of association of the company.                 
Signed on behalf of the Board                                                   
E Osrin, Chairman                      A D Murray, CEO                          
Cape Town                                                                       
30 October 2008                                                                 
Non-executive directors:                                                        
E Osrin (Chairman), D M Nurek (Deputy Chairman), Prof F Abrahams, S E Abrahams, 
W V Cuba, M Lewis, D M Polak                                                    
Executive directors:                                                            
A D Murray, R Stein                                                             
Company secretary:                                                              
D Sheard                                                                        
Registered office:                                                              
Stanley Lewis Centre, 340 Voortrekker Road, Parow East, 7500                    
Transfer secretaries:                                                           
Computershare Investor Services (Pty) Ltd, Ground Floor, 70 Marshall Street,    
Johannesburg, 2001                                                              
Sponsor:                                                                        
UBS South Africa (Pty) Ltd                                                      
Visit our website at http://www.foschinigroup.com/                              
Date: 30/10/2008 14:00:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.                  
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Profile Group (Pty) Ltd. has taken care in preparing all information on this website, but does not accept any liability for errors or out-of-date information.
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