DGAP-Adhoc

Gerry Weber International AG acquires Hallhuber

Gerry Weber International AG / Key word(s): Acquisition

22.12.2014 17:21

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Ad-hoc announcement pursuant to § 15 WpHG

GERRY WEBER acquires Hallhuber

(Halle/Westphalia, 22 December 2014) GERRY WEBER International AG has
agreed to acquire all shares in Munich-based fashion company Hallhuber from
private equity firm Change Capital Partners LLP. The acquisition of this
fashion manufacturer and retailer continues GERRY WEBER's growth strategy
and pushes ahead the verticalisation of its business model. Hallhuber
enables GERRY WEBER to move into an attractive segment of the womens
fashion market targeting a younger clientele, namely trend-oriented women
in their mid-twenties and older.

Hallhuber with its two "Hallhuber" and "Hallhuber Donna" brands will be
managed as stand-alone brands within the GERRY WEBER Group. Given that
Hallhuber will benefit from GERRY WEBER's operational expertise in the
areas of sourcing, international retail expansion and logistics, GERRY
WEBER expects this acquisition not only to deliver an attractive
contribution to Group profitability but also to accelerate the company's
growth.

Brands and distribution channels

GERRY WEBER and TAIFUN, the two existing brands managed by the fashion and
lifestyle company based in Halle/Westphalia, address female customers in
the mid-thirties and older who have a sure sense of style and are looking
for feminine and high-quality garments. This portfolio is rounded off by
the well-established SAMOON brand for plus-sized womenswear without a
defined age group focus. By expanding the brand portfolio through the
addition of the two complementary Hallhuber brands, the GERRY WEBER Group
will gain access to a new and younger target market of women with a
predominantly urban and trendy orientation.

Hallhuber

Hallhuber generated sales of EUR 109.2 million in the fiscal year 2013 and
reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation
(EBITDA) adjusted for one-time effects of EUR 9.5 million for the period.
The company's expectation for the current fiscal year 2014 (ending 31
December 2014) envisages a clear rise in sales to approximately EUR 140
million and an adjusted EBITDA of approximately EUR 14.0 million. Operating
a completely vertically integrated business model, Hallhuber currently
employs 1,500 people and runs 94 own retail stores, twelve outlets as well