MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

29.10.2014

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

EDGARS CONSOLIDATED STORES LIMITED

 

 

Formerly Known As :

EDCON (PTY) LTD

 

 

Registered Office :

Edgardale, 1 Press Avenue, Crown Mines, Johannesburg, Gauteng

 

 

Country :

South Africa

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

05.02.2007

 

 

Com. Reg. No.:

2007/003525/06

 

 

Legal Form :

Private Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Retailers of clothing, footwear, handbags, perfumes, accessories, home textiles, stationery, books and magazines

 

 

No. of Employees :

±20 000

 

RATING & COMMENTS

 

MIRA’s Rating :

C

 

RATING

STATUS

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

<10

C

Absolute credit risk exists. Caution needed to be exercised

Credit not recommended

 

Status :

Under Process of Deregistration

Payment Behaviour :

--

Litigation :

Clear

 

NOTES :

Any query related to this report can be made on e-mail : infodept@mirainform.com while quoting report number, name and date.

 

ECGC Country Risk Classification List – June 1, 2014

 

Country Name

Previous Rating

(31.03.2014)

Current Rating

(01.06.2014)

South Africa

A2

A2

 

Risk Category

ECGC Classification

Insignificant

 

A1

Low

 

A2

Moderate

 

B1

High

 

B2

Very High

 

C1

Restricted

 

C2

Off-credit

 

D

 

 

SOUTH AFRICA - ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

 

South Africa is a middle-income, emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors and a stock exchange that is the 16th largest in the world. Even though the country's modern infrastructure supports a relatively efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region, unstable electricity supplies retard growth. The global financial crisis reduced commodity prices and world demand. GDP fell nearly 2% in 2009 but has recovered since then, albeit slowly with 2014 growth projected at about 2%. Unemployment, poverty, and inequality - among the highest in the world - remain a challenge. Official unemployment is at nearly 25% of the work force, and runs significantly higher among black youth. Eskom, the state-run power company, has built two new power stations and installed new power demand management programs to improve power grid reliability. Construction delays at two additional plants, however, mean South Africa is operating on a razor thin margin; economists judge that growth cannot exceed 3% until those plants come on line. South Africa's economic policy has focused on controlling inflation, however, the country has had significant budget deficits that restrict its ability to deal with pressing economic problems. The current government faces growing pressure from special interest groups to use state-owned enterprises to deliver basic services to low-income areas and to increase job growth

Source : CIA

 


COMPANY NAME     

 

EDGARS CONSOLIDATED STORES LIMITED

 

 

PHYSICAL ADDRESS    

 

Edgardale 1 Press Ave

CROWN MINES

Johannesburg

Gauteng

 

 

POSTAL ADDRESS        

 

P O Box 100 / 200

CROWN MINES

2025

 

 

TELEPHONE NUMBER:            (011) 495-6000 / 839-4056

 

FAX NUMBER:              (011) 837-5019  

 

On investigation contact was made with Tandeka Sibanda, Assistant Company Secretary, who stated that the subject is a dormant investment holding company which is in the process of deregistration, expected to be completed in late 2014 or early 2015.  It was stated that the active trading company is EDCON LTD and the subject was previously the 100% immediate holding company but the immediate holding company once the subject is deregistered will be EDCON ACQUISITION (PTY) LTD. 

 


COMPANY NAME

 

EDCON LTD

(quoted on the Bonds Listings of JSE LTD)

 

Formerly:  EDCON (PTY) LTD the subject having converted to a Limited company on 14 February 2013

Formerly: ELEPHANT RETAILCO (PTY) LTD, the name having changed on 9 May 2007

Formerly: MAIN STREET 547 (PTY) LTD, the name having changed on 24 April 2007

 

 

TRADING DIVISIONS

 

EDGARS

C N A

BOARDMANS

RED SQUARE

 

DISCOUNT DIVISIONS:

JET STORES

JET MART

LEGIT

 

MONO-BRANDED OUTLETS:

 

TOPSHOT TOPMAN

TOM TAILOR

DUNE LONDON

T.M. LEWIN

LIPSY

LUCKY BRAND

MAC

TEMPTATIONS

PRADO

EDGARS ACTIVE

 

As per our client’s request, it was confirmed that CNA is a trading division of EDCON LIMITED.

 

It was stated that the MONO-BRANDED divisions are all in house stores throughout selected EDGARS outlets.

 

It was stated that the previous division of the subject CUTHBERTS was merged with JET STORES and that name is no longer utilised.  Similarly, BLACKSNOW was merged with JET STORES and that name is no longer used.


PHYSICAL ADDRESS

 

Edgardale

1 Press Avenue

CROWN MINES

Johannesburg

Gauteng

 

 

POSTAL ADDRESS   

 

P O Box 100

CROWN MINES

2025

 

TELEPHONE NUMBER:            +27 11 495 6000

 

FAX NUMBER:              +27 11 837 5019

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

It was stated that EDGARS CONSOLIDATED STORES LIMITED is a dormant holding company which is in the process of being deregistered, expected to be effective late 2014 or early 2015.  At that point the shareholding of the subject is expected to be 100% EDCON ACQUISITION (PTY) LTD.

 

100%    EDGARS CONSOLIDATED STORES LIMITED formerly: EDGARS STORES LTD (investment holding company) (Registration Certificate Number: 1946/022751/06) which in turn is 100% owned by EDCON ACQUISITION (PTY) LTD (Registration Certificate Number: 2007/000518/07), which in turn is 100% owned by EDCON HOLDINGS LIMITED (Registration Certificate Number: 2006/036903/06), which is held 85% by EDCON (BC) SARL in Luxemburg, and the remaining 15% is held by 8 trusts, including a BEE staff empowerment trust. 

 

EDCON (BC) SARL is in turn 100% owned by EDGARS HOLDINGS LTD registered in the Cayman Islands and is in turn owned 86.3% by BAIN CAPITAL INTEGRAL INVESTORS II L P, 12.98% by BARCLAYS CAPITAL and 0.72% by other investors.

 

It was established that a scheme of arrangement in 2007 led to the delisting of EDGARS CONSOLIDATED STORES LTD (formerly:  EDGARS STORES LTD) when the subject took over the operation and assets of the latter company after a Private Equity buyout of the company involving ultimately BAIN CAPITAL of the USA.

 

 


ASSOCIATE COMPANIES

 

CELROSE (PTY) LTD (49% Subsidiary)

EDGARS STORES LIMITED, Zimbabwe (Subsidiary via Bellfield Ltd) (39.08%)

 

 

SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

 

It was stated that EDCON LTD has 100% shares in the following subsidiary companies.

 

BELLFIELD LIMITED UK (Investment holding company)

JET SUPERMARKETS (BOTSWANA) (PTY) LTD

EDGARS STORES LESOTHO (PTY) LTD

EDGARS STORES (NAMIBIA) LIMITED

EDGARS STORES SWAZILAND LIMITED

NATIONAL SECURITY CORPORATION (PTY) LTD

R22 PROPERTIES (PTY) LTD (dormant)

RAPID DAWN 132 (PTY) LTD (dormant)

EDCON RETAIL ACADEMY (PTY) LTD

(Registration Certificate Number: 2008/019063/07)

 

 

SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

 

continued

 

EDCON FINCO (PTY) LTD

(Registration Certificate Number: 2007/003444/07)

CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY (PTY) LTD Swaziland (dormant and in the process of deregistration)

UNITED RETAIL LTD S A (dormant)

TOPICS (PTY) LTD (dormant)

SECUREX SECURITY SERVICES (PTY) LTD

EDCON LIMITADA Mozambique

JETCON MART LTD Ghana (which company will start trading in October 2014)

JETCON SUPERMARKET NIGERIA (PTY) LTD (which company will start trading in 2015)

EDCON KENYA (PTY) LTD (which company is not operating at present)

 

A number of Asian registered companies which were not named, however, it was stated that certain of these had been registered to do the sourcing for the group companies.

 

The company is also reported to be involved in partnerships and has 50.1% in the following partnerships:

 

QUINMATRO RETAIL (PTY)

COSYOR RETAIL (PTY) LTD

ROSYCO RETAIL (PTY) LTD

 

DIRECTORS

 

J SHREIBER (Group CEO & M/D) (German)        D.O.B.  1962/02/07

T CLERCKX CFO (Belgium)                               D.O.B.  1973/18/07

Dr U FERNDALE                                               ID No.   6501035147082

 

 

BANKERS

 

FIRST NATIONAL BANK, Johannesburg Branch is the main bank for the subject where they have substantial facilities available.

 

 

DATE REGISTERED

 

5 February 2007

Registration Certificate Number: 2007/003525/06

 

A dormant company was utilised and the name changed to EDCON (PTY) LTD to take over the assets and operations formerly trading under the company, EDGARS CONSOLIDATED STORES LIMITED, (formerly EDGARS STORES LIMITED) the previous operating company in the group which originally commenced operations in 1929 and which is now the holding company of the subject.  The subject then converted to a public limited company in 2013.

 

 

VAT NUMBER    

 

4460236773

 

 

TAX NUMBER    

 

9388966153

 

 

BEE STATUS 

 

It was stated the subject is in the process of updating their BEE status, however, the subject was previously a level 4 contributor

 

Certified by:                  EVS (Express Verification Services a member of the Empowerdex Group) 

Certificate Expiry Date:  13 August 2014

Certificate number:        G2013J0057

MAJOR OPERATION

 

Retailers of clothing, footwear, handbags, perfumes, accessories, home textiles, stationery, books and magazines

 

 

MAJOR SUPPLIERS

 

It was stated that the Asian companies that have been registered by the group are mainly for sourcing goods overseas for the group.  The respondent at the company was not able to supply trade references on the subject and in view of the standing of the company it was deemed not necessary.

 

 

MAJOR CUSTOMERS OR BUSINESS SECTORS

 

The general public on a cash basis.  Although the subject has store credit cards, the subject’s book was sold to ABSA Bank in 2012 and they carry all the debt for the subject and therefore the subject only deals on a cash basis.

 

 

AREA OF DISTRIBUTION AND SELLING

 

South Africa

 

 

EXPORTS

 

African countries i.e. Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Kenya, Botswana, Nigeria etc.

 

 

TOTAL EMPLOYEES

 

±20 000

 

 

OTHER PREMISES   

 

Approximately 1 300 stores throughout South Africa which are made up as follows:

 

(CNA – 195 stores, JET – 347 stores, JET MART – 123 stores, LEGIT – 186 stores, EDGARS – 186 stores, RED SQUARE – 39 stores, BOARDMANS – 34 stores, EDGARS ACTIVE – 137 stores)

 

OWNED OR LEASED

 

The majority of the subject’s premises are reported to be leased.

 

 

AUTHORISED SHARE CAPITAL

 

R1 000 divided into 1 000 ordinary shares of R1 each

 

 

ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL

 

R894

 

 

FINANCIALS

 

For financial information on the subject, please see unaudited quarterly and company financial statements for the period ending 28 June 2014.

 

 

AUDITORS    

 

DELOITTE AND TOUCHE

 

 

YEAR END    

 

MARCH

 

 

INSURANCE BROKERS 

 

AON INSURANCE BROKERS

 

 

TRADE REFERENCES    

 

NOT AVAILABLE

 

JUDGEMENTS

 

It was stated in a previous report dated 8 May 2014 that there is a judgement recorded on 6 February 2014 for an amount of R253 862.06 for services rendered (Judgement Default by ELECTROTAG (PTY) LTD), Case No. 31878.  Contact was made with Phuti in the legal department, who stated that, to his knowledge, a payment of R68 000 has been paid and the matter has been settled.  He stated that he would investigate the matter but to the best of his knowledge, the subject has lodged an appeal.

 

 

COMMENTS

 

This is a very well-established well-connected company that has taken over well-established operations from a previous well-connected company.  The subject is ultimately owned by BAIN CAPITAL of USA, a large financial institution in the USA that took over the group in 2007.  Since the takeover, however, the worldwide recession has had a major detrimental effect on the group as the business model is that of extending credit to its customers rather than encouraging cash sales.  The group figures unaudited for 2014 reflect a negative current ratio, negative equity and substantial losses have been sustained over the past few years.  Although it is highly unlikely that BAIN CAPITAL would allow the group to fail, the subject is considered equal to its normal business engagements, secured by the ultimate holding company.

 


 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.61.35

UK Pound

1

Rs.98.93

Euro

1

Rs.77.92

 

INFORMATION DETAILS

 

Analysis Done by :

SUB

 

 

Report Prepared by :

PDT

 

               

RATING EXPLANATIONS

 

RATING

STATUS

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

 

>86

Aaa

Possesses an extremely sound financial base with the strongest capability for timely payment of interest and principal sums

 

Unlimited

 

71-85

Aa

Possesses adequate working capital. No caution needed for credit transaction. It has above average (strong) capability for payment of interest and principal sums

 

Large

 

56-70

A

Financial & operational base are regarded healthy. General unfavourable factors will not cause fatal effect. Satisfactory capability for payment of interest and principal sums

 

Fairly Large

 

41-55

Ba

Overall operation is considered normal. Capable to meet normal commitments.

 

Satisfactory

 

26-40

B

Capability to overcome financial difficulties seems comparatively below average.

 

Small

 

11-25

Ca

Adverse factors are apparent. Repayment of interest and principal sums in default or expected to be in default upon maturity

 

Limited with full security

 

<10

C

Absolute credit risk exists. Caution needed to be exercised

 

Credit not recommended

 

--

NB

New Business

--

 

This score serves as a reference to assess SC’s credit risk and to set the amount of credit to be extended. It is calculated from a composite of weighted scores obtained from each of the major sections of this report. The assessed factors and their relative weights (as indicated through %) are as follows:

 

Financial condition (40%)            Ownership background (20%)                  Payment record (10%)

Credit history (10%)                   Market trend (10%)                                Operational size (10%)

 

PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL : This information is provided to you at your request, you having employed MIPL for such purpose. You will use the information as aid only in determining the propriety of giving credit and generally as an aid to your business and for no other purpose. You will hold the information in strict confidence, and shall not reveal it or make it known to the subject persons, firms or corporations or to any other. MIPL does not warrant the correctness of the information as you hold it free of any liability whatsoever. You will be liable to and indemnify MIPL for any loss, damage or expense, occasioned by your breach or non observance of any one, or more of these conditions

This report is issued at your request without any risk and responsibility on the part of MIRA INFORM PRIVATE LIMITED (MIPL) or its officials.