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THE FOSCHINI GROUP LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1937/009504/06)
LEI: 3789PTO7LG718IG59F97
JSE / A2X share code: TFG
Ordinary share code: TFG
ISIN: ZAE000148466
Preference share code: TFGP
ISIN: ZAE000148516
("TFG" or "the Company" and together with its affiliates "the Group")
TRADING UPDATE FOR Q3 FY2026 AND THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 27 DECEMBER 2025;
AND TRADING STATEMENT FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDING 31 MARCH 2026
This trading update relates to the nine-month year to date period from 1 April 2025 to 27 December 2025 ("year to
date" or "nine-month period") and the 13-week period from 28 September 2025 to 27 December 2025 ("Q3
FY2026" or "third quarter") against the comparative nine-month year to date period from 1 April 2024 to 28
December 2024 ("YTD FY2025" or "prior nine-month period") and the 13-week period from 29 September 2024 to
28 December 2024 ("Q3 FY2025" or "prior third quarter").
SALIENT FEATURES
- Group sales grew by 7,5% for the year to date. Excluding White Stuff, which was acquired with effect from 25
October 2024, sales grew by 2,0%^;
- Group sales grew by 2,9% for Q3 FY2026. Excluding White Stuff sales grew 1,8%^;
- Group online sales grew by 23,4% in Q3 FY2026 and by 36,6% for the year to date, and now contribute 14,3%
to total retail sales;
- Market share in South Africa in Q3 FY2026, as measured by the Retail Liaison Committee ("RLC"), increased
by 60 basis points ("bps") in homeware and furniture, and was maintained in apparel;
- Group gross profit was up 6,3% on the prior nine-month period with gross margin decreasing by 80 bps for the
year to date, reflecting the impact of clearance activity necessitated by the challenging trading environment;
- Group sales grew by 3,0% (in constant currency 4,7%) for the 5 weeks ended 31 January 2026; and
- TFG Africa sales grew by 5,8% for the 5 weeks ended 31 January 2026 with gross margin normalising in
January 2026.
GROUP FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Sales growth in each business segment was as follows:
Business segment Q3 FY2026 Q3 FY2026 YTD FY2026 YTD FY2026
vs. Q3 contribution to vs contribution to
FY2025 Group turnover YTD FY2025 Group turnover
TFG Africa (ZAR) 3,5% 72,3% 4,2% 68,7%
TFG London (GBP) 6,5% 15,3% 37,2% 17,8%
TFG Australia (AUD) (2,6%) 12,4% (1,9%) 13,5%
Group (ZAR) 2,9% 7,5%
TFG London sales, excluding White Stuff, which was acquired with effect from 25 October 2024, contracted by
2,4%^ in Q3 FY2026 and by 2,6%^ for the nine-month period.
SEGMENTAL PERFORMANCE UPDATE
TFG AFRICA
Trading conditions in South Africa remain challenging with consumer spending still under significant pressure,
despite recently moderating inflation and interest rate reductions. In addition, the prior period's third quarter
benefitted from the introduction of the two-pot retirement system.
Sales performance during Q3 FY2026 tracked in line with the market as measured by the RLC, which reported a
notably subdued festive season across the sector. Market share, as measured by the RLC, increased by 60 bps in
the homeware and furniture. Market share was maintained in apparel, as it has been throughout the year.
Like-for-like sales for TFG Africa grew by 1,2% in Q3 FY2026 and by 2,9% year to date.
Sales growth (in ZAR) per merchandise category was as follows:
Merchandise category Q3 FY2026 vs. Q3 FY2025 Q3 FY2026 contribution to
TFG Africa
Clothing 1,8% 74,0%
Homeware and furniture 12,3% 13,3%
Beauty 20,3% 3,4%
Jewellery 6,5% 3,8%
Cellular (2,5%) 5,5%
Total TFG Africa 3,5%
Merchandise category YTD FY2026 vs. YTD FY2025 YTD FY2026 contribution to
TFG Africa
Clothing 2,7% 72,3%
Homeware and furniture 10,7% 14,3%
Beauty 21,9% 3,3%
Jewellery 2,5% 3,6%
Cellular 1,0% 6,5%
Total TFG Africa 4,2%
Online sales grew by 54,9% in Q3 FY2026, and by 46,7% for the year to date, driven by continued strong
performance of the Bash platform. Online now contributes 7,9% to total sales with scale benefits continuing to
improve profitability.
Gross margin has contracted by 90 bps for the year to date as a result of inventory clearance.
Credit sales grew by 1,6% in Q3 FY2026 and by 5,3% for the year to date, contributing 26,1% to total sales as the
Group continues to take a prudent approach to credit granting. The debtors book has grown by 6,8% to R10,1 billion
(Dec 2025: R9,4 billion). The quality of the book remains broadly in line with the prior period, reflecting a steady risk
environment and continued discipline in collections activities.
TFG LONDON
Sales increased by 6,5% (in GBP) in Q3 FY2026 and by 37,2% for the year to date. Excluding White Stuff, sales
contracted by 2,4%^ in Q3 FY2026 and by 2,6%^ for the year to date, as the UK continues to experience difficult
trading conditions. Despite this, White Stuff continues to perform well within its sub-category with sales growth of
5,8%^ for the year to date on a pro-forma basis.
TFG AUSTRALIA
In Australia consumers remain value oriented amidst ongoing tough trading conditions with sales contracting 2,6%
in AUD in Q3 FY2026, and by 1,9% for the year to date compared to the 0,5% contraction experienced in the first
half of the year.
IMPAIRMENTS
Trading conditions in London and Australia have proven to be more challenging than expected with macroeconomic
conditions showing little improvement.
Reflecting the more challenging outlook, our revised assumptions have required a reassessment of forward-looking
cash flows and recoverable values. Accordingly, the Group expects to recognise non-cash impairments in the
current period as detailed below. These brand impairments may be reversed in future periods should trading
conditions improve.
Within the UK portfolio, Phase Eight's performance has been heavily impacted over several years by the decline in
department stores, which accounted for 70% of sales when acquired in 2014, to 45% today. The brand continues
to focus on growing both its own and selected third party sales channels, while expanding its customer base.
However, the repositioning will impact profitability in the medium term and will require a partial impairment of the
brand's carrying value in the current period.
In TFG Australia, the Tarocash and yd. brands remain profitable, but current weak trading conditions as well as the
transfer of Tarocash's traditional "big and tall" business to the Group's Johnny Bigg label, is likely to require non-
cash impairments of those brands' carrying values. The Australian business continues to generate EBITDA
significantly above the A$43 million recorded when the business was first acquired in FY2018, generating A$94
million in FY2025.
TRADING STATEMENT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2026
In accordance with paragraph 3.4(b) of the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited, a listed company is required
to publish a trading statement as soon as it becomes reasonably certain that the financial results for the next
reporting period will differ by 20% or more from the results of the corresponding prior period.
Primarily as a result of the impairments described above, which might be up to R750 million, shareholders are
advised that a reasonable degree of certainty exists that the earnings per share ("EPS") of the Group for the 12-
month period ending 31 March 2026 will be at least 20% lower than the corresponding prior period, i.e. at or below
784,5 cents (FY2025: 980,6 cents). The impairment charge has no impact on headline earnings per share ("HEPS").
The Group will publish a further trading statement once it has attained a reasonable degree of certainty over the
expected earnings range. The updated trading statement will be published prior to the release of TFG's annual
results which is expected to be announced on SENS on or about 5 June 2026.
OUTLOOK
Trading conditions in South Africa remain challenging, with management continuing to prioritise inventory clearance
within season, disciplined cost control, and prudent capital allocation to align with shifting consumer behaviour.
While short-term guidance remains cautious due to low wage growth and subdued discretionary spending, the
medium-term outlook is more constructive with lower inflation targeting and lower interest rates, stimulating
consumer demand.
Higher wage growth is anticipated as real incomes improve under more stable inflation conditions, while a stronger
rand and reduced fuel costs are expected to provide cost relief through lower import prices and transport expenses.
Taken together, these factors point to a gradual recovery in trading performance as local macroeconomic conditions
improve.
Sales in TFG Africa grew by 5,8% for the 5 weeks ended 31 January 2026.
In the UK, sales volumes are holding up despite still weak consumer confidence, with profitability dependent on
managing gross margin and costs. Sales in TFG London grew by 5,6% (in GBP) for the 5 weeks ended 31 January
2026.
In Australia sales for the five weeks ended 31 January 2026 contracted by 1,1% (in AUD) as challenging trading
conditions remain with persistent cost of living pressures.
^ Pro forma management account numbers used to calculate an indicative sales growth.
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Pro forma unaudited management account information for White Stuff was used in this announcement for
illustrative purposes only to provide an indicative sales growth excluding the acquired White Stuff business.
White Stuff sales for the period since acquisition on 25 October 2024 was removed as if the acquisition did not
occur.
The pro forma management account retail turnover figures used were:
YTD FY2026 YTD FY2025 Growth %
ZARm ZARm
Group retail turnover including White Stuff 49,032 45,606 7,5%
Less: White Stuff retail turnover# (3,432) (901) 280,9%
Group retail turnover excluding White Stuff 45,600 44,705 2,0%
Q3 FY2026 Q3 FY2025 Growth %
ZARm ZARm
Group retail turnover including White Stuff 20,441 19,861 2,9%
Less: White Stuff retail turnover# (1,141) (901) 26,6%
Group retail turnover excluding White Stuff 19,300 18,960 1,8%
Q3 FY2026 Q3 FY2025 Growth %
GBPm GBPm
TFG London retail turnover including White Stuff 132 124 6,5%
Less: White Stuff retail turnover# (49) (39) 25,6%
TFG London retail turnover excluding White Stuff 83 85 (2,4%)
YTD FY2026 YTD FY2025 Growth %
GBPm GBPm
TFG London retail turnover including White Stuff 369 269 37,2%
Less: White Stuff retail turnover# (145) (39) 271,8%
TFG London retail turnover excluding White Stuff 224 230 (2,6%)
YTD FY2026 YTD FY2025 Growth %
GBPm GBPm
White Stuff retail turnover# 145 137 5,8%
# The adjustment is sourced from unaudited management accounts. The Group is satisfied with the quality and
completeness of these management accounts.
CONSTANT CURRENCY INFORMATION
Constant currency information has been presented to illustrate the impact of changes in the Group's major foreign
currencies, the Australian Dollar and British Pound. In determining the constant currency growth rate, turnover and
concession sales denominated in Australian Dollars and British Pounds for the 5 weeks ended 31 January 2026
("current 5-week period") have been adjusted by application of the aggregated monthly average Australian Dollar
and British Pound exchange rates for the 5 weeks ended 1 February 2025 ("prior 5-week period").
The aggregated monthly average Australian Dollar exchange rate is R11,04 for the current period and R11,65 for the
prior 5-week period. The aggregated monthly average British Pound exchange rate is R22,04 for the current period
and R23,08 for the prior 5-week period. Fluctuations of the Group's rest of Africa operations are not considered
material and have therefore not been applied in determining the constant currency growth rate.
The information contained in this announcement, including constant currency and pro forma information, is
presented in accordance with the JSE Limited Listings Requirements, and has not been audited, reviewed or
reported on by the Group's external auditor. The constant currency and pro forma information is the responsibility
of the Group's directors and has been prepared for illustrative purposes only and, because of its nature, may not
fairly present the Group's financial position, changes in equity, results of operations or cash flows.
Cape Town
3 February 2026
JSE Equity Sponsor and Corporate Broker: RAND MERCHANT BANK (A division of FirstRand Bank Limited)
Date: 03-02-2026 05:00:00
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