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Casino, Guichard-Perrachon SA

Earnings Release Feb 25, 2021

1183_iss_2021-02-25_c2858b9b-191d-4c68-828c-16ba17079fee.pdf

Earnings Release

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SECOND-HALF 2020 AND FULL-YEAR 2020 RESULTS

FOURTH QUARTER 2020 SALES

Thursday, 25 February 2021

Thursday, 25 February 2021 ■ 1

EBITDA (after lease payments): up +20%

After a first-half performance affected by costs related to the health crisis, profitability improved strongly in the second half in both France and Latin America Sharp reduction in gross and net debt Outlook for 2021: profitable growth, cash flow generation and continued debt reduction Group EBITDA in H2: +11% Group EBITDA (after lease payments) in H2: +20% Group Trading profit in H2: +20% +6% in France, 11.5% margin (+164bps) +13% in France, 7.8% margin (+152bps) +4% in France, 6.1% margin (+79bps) +18% in Latam, 9.7% margin (+260bps) +30% in Latam, 7.9% margin (+265bps) +42% in Latam, 6.9% margin (+275bps) Group gross debt in 2020: -€1,851m reduction Group net debt (excl. IFRS 5) in 2020: -€1,023m reduction -€1,293m in France -€318m in France (-€566m including settlement of GPA TRS) -€558m in Latam -€705m in Latam




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2020 Key figures
In €m H2 2019 H2 2020 Reported
change
Change
at CER
FY 2019 FY 2020 Reported
change
Change
at CER
Group Net sales 17,803 15,7732 -11% +7% 34,645 31,912 -8% +8%
o/w France (incl. Cdiscount) 9,354 8,509 -9% 0% 18,288 17,256 -6% +3%1
o/w Latam 8,449 7,264 -14% +13% 16,358 14,656- -10% +12%
Group EBITDA 1,517 1,678- +11% +27% 2,640 2,7422 +4% +17%
o/w France (incl. Cdiscount) 921 977 +6% +6% 1,536 1,580 +3% +3%
Margin (%) 9.8% 11.5% +164 bps +168 bps 8.4% 9.2% +76 bps +80 bps
o/w Latam 596 7012 +18% +58% 1,104 1,1612 +5% +36%
Margin (%) 7.1% 9.7% +260 bps +240 bps 6.8% 7.9% +117 bps +115 bps
Gr. EBITDA after lease 1,033 1,2402 +20% +39% 1,687 1,8302 +8% +24%
o/w France (incl. Cdiscount) 590 666 +13% +13% 898 946 +5% +6%
Margin (%) 6.3% 7.8% +152 bps +156 bps 4.9% 5.5% +57 bps +61 bps
o/w Latam 443 5742 +30% +73% 789 8842 +12% +45%
Margin (%) 5.2% 7.9% +265 bps +245 bps 4.8% 6.0% +121 bps +120 bps
Group Trading profit 851 1,0232 +20% +40% 1,321 1,426- +8% +25%
o/w France (incl. Cdiscount) 497 519 +4% +5% 693 677 -2% -1%
Margin (%) 5.3% 6.1% +79 bps +77 bps 3.8% 3.9% +13 bps +17 bps
o/w Latam 355 5042 +42% +88% 628 7482 +19% +54%
Margin (%) 4.2% 6.9% +275 bps +252 bps 3.8% 5.1% +127 bps +128 bps
Underlying net profit,
Group share
191 363 +90% +114% 196 268 +37% +62%
Underlying diluted
earnings per share
1.80 3.38 +88% +112% 1.47 2.17 +48% +79%
In Em FY 2019 FY 2020 Change
Group FCF excl. disposals 103 407 +295%
o/w France (excl. Rocade plan) 221 288 +30%
o/w Latam (118) 120 n.m.
Group Gross debt 9,229 7,378 -1,851
o/w France (incl. Cdiscount) 5,863 4,570 -1,293
o/w France - covenant scope3 6,100 4,761 -1,301
o/w Latam 3,366 2,808 -558
Group Net debt after IFRS 5 4,055 3,914 -142
o/w France (incl. Cdiscount) 2,505 3,048 +542 (+294 incl. GPA TRS settlement)
o/w Latam 1,550 866 -684
Group Net debt excl. IFRS 5 5,657 4,634 -1,023
o/w France (incl. Cdiscount) 4,069 3,751 -318 (-566 incl. GPA TRS settlement)
o/w Latam 1,587 882 -705

The France Retail and E-commerce (Caiscount) segmented together, to be consistent with the operational performance tracking on the Group's bank covenants.

GPA forward and TRS are not included within financial debt. They were settled respectively in 2019 and 2020 for simplification purposs.

Via Varejo, which was sold on 14 June 2019, is presented as a discontinued operation from 1 January to 30 June 2019, in accordance with IFRS 5. Similarly, Leader Price, which was sold on 30 November 2020, is presented as a discontinued operation in the 2019 financial statements. The 2019 financial statements have been restated to reflect the retrospective of IFRC IC decision with regard to the enforceable period of a lease and the amortisation period of fixtures in accordance with IFRS 16 – Leases.

The Board of Directors met on 24 February 2021 to approve the statutory and consolidated financial statements for 2020.

The auditors have completed their audit procedures on the financial statements and are in the report.

1 Same-store growth

2 Of which tax credits received by GPA (impact of €139m on Trading Profit and EBITDA)

3 Scope defined in the refinancing documentation dated November 2019 (France, E-commerce, Segisor)

2020 FULL YEAR RESULTS

The Group has implemented the AMF recommendation to present the pandemic in EBITDA and trading profit, including the exceptional employee bonus paid in the first half of 2020 (€37m in France, €47m at Group level)

En ME FY 2019 FY 2020 Change
Net Sales 34,645 31,912 +9% (organic), +8% (same-store)
FBITDA 2,640 2,742 +4%
Trading profit 1,321 1,426 +8%
Underlying net profit from continuing
operations, Group share
196 268 +37%
Profit (loss) from continuing operations,
Group share
(396) (370) Mainly accounting impairments and non-recurring
expenses related to the transformation of the Group
and the disposal plan
Profit (loss) from discontinued operations,
Group share
(1,048) (516) Mainly accounting losses related to stock clearance
operations and impairments
Consolidated net profit (loss),
Group share
(1,444) (886)

In 2020, the Group's consolidated net sales amounted to €31.9bn, up +9.0% on an organic basis' and down -7.9% after taking into account the effects of exchange rates and hyperinflation (-12.6%), changes in scope (-2.4%) and fuel (-1.8%).

On the France Retail scope, net sales were up +3.0% on a same-store basis. Including Cdiscount, gross sales under banner in France were up +4.9% on a same-store basis.

E-commerce (Cdiscount) gross merchandise volume (GMV) came to €4.2bn, a year-on-year increase of +8.6%2 on an organic basis, led by the expansion of the marketplace.

Sales in Latin America were up sharply by +17.3% on an organic basis', mainly supported by the very good performance in the cash & carry segment (Assaí), which grew by +29.3%) on an organic basis.

Consolidated EBITDA came to €2,742m, an increase of +3.9% including currency effects and +17.0% at constant exchange rates.

France EBITDA (including Cdiscount) amounted to €1,580m, including €1,451m on the France Retail scope and €129m for Cdiscount. Retail EBITDA (excluding Green Yellow, Vindémia and special Covid-19 bonuses) was up +4.9%, in acceleration in H2 (+5.3%). Property development EBITDA2 came to €64m.

France Retail EBITDA margin came to 9.5%, up +55bps. In the second half, margin was 12%, up +155bps.

After lease payments and excluding the €37m in special Covid-19 bonuses, France EBITDA was up +9.5% year on year. After a first-half performance affected by health crisis costs, profitability improved in the second half of the year across all retail banners and Cdiscount. EBITDA after lease payments rose by +12.8% in the second half.

In Latin America, EBITDA rose by +36.1% excluding currency effects and including tax credits received by GPA for €139m. EBITDA excluding tax credits was up +19.4% at constant exchange rates.

¹ Excluding fuel and calendar effects

2 Data published by the subsidiary

3 Mainly related to the recognition of previously neutralised EBITDA on real estate development operations conducted with Mercialys. Real estate development operations with Meccialys are neutralised in the Group's percentage interest in Mercialys. A reduction in Casino's state in Mercialys or an asset disposal by Mercialys of those assets therefore results in the recognition of EBITDA that was previously neutralised

Consolidated trading profit came to €1,426m (€1,287m excluding tax credits), an increase of +7.9% including currency effects and +25.2% at constant exchange rates (+14.8% excluding tax credits).

In France (including Cdiscount), trading profit stood at €677m, including €625m on the France Retail scope and €53m for Cdiscount. Retail trading profit (excluding GreenYellow, Vindémia and special Covid-19 bonuses) is up +3.8%, in acceleration in H2 (+4.2%). Property development trading profit came to €63m.

Trading margin in France (including Cdiscount) up +13 bps at 3.9%, supported by a marked improvement at Cdiscount which recorded a +238 bps increase in trading margin to 2.6%. Profitability drivers at Cdiscount included the marketplace, the strategic adjustment of the direct sales product mix and the development of digital marketing services.

In Latin America, trading profit totalled €748m, an increase of +19.1% (+25.2% excluding tax credits and currency effects) that reflected an improvement in the margin to 5.1% (vs 3.8% in 2019). In Brazil, trading profit, excluding tax credits and currency effects, rose by +70% at Multivarejo, driven by commercial strategy and operational efficiency plans, and +28% for Assal. At Grupo Exito, trading profit excluding the currency effect was almost stable (-0.3%) in the context of the pandemic.

Underlying net financial expense and net profit, Group share'-

Underlying net financial expense for the period came to -€681m excluding interest expense on lease liabilities) vs -€772m in 2019 (-€448m excluding interest expense on lease liabilities). In France, net financial expense excluding interest on lease liabilities was affected by an increase in finance costs following the November 2019 refinancing transaction. E-commerce net financial expense was virtually stable compared with 2019. In Latin America, financial expense was down.

Underlying net profit from continuing operations, Group share totalled €268m, compared with €196m in 2019, an increase of +37% that was attributable to solid growth in trading profit and a reduction in finance costs.

Underlying diluted earnings per share2 stood at €2.17 for the year, vs €1.47 in 2019, and at €3.38 in the second half, an acceleration of +88%.

Other operating income and expenses amounted to -€797m (vs -€713m in 2019). In France, other operating income and expenses were -€694m (vs -€630m in 2019), including -€233m of exceptional cash costs (vs -€316m in 2019), with a reduction of nearly €90m in the second half (-40%). Exceptional non-cash costs were -€461m (vs -€314m in 2019), mainly related to asset impairments.

Consolidated net profit (loss), Group share -

Profit (loss) from continuing operations, Group share came to -€370m, compared with -€396m in 2019, mainly due to asset impairments and non-recurring accounting costs in the context of the Group's transformation and the disposal plan.

Profit (loss) from discontinued operations, Group share was - €516m (vs - €1,048m in 2019), mainly due to stock clearance operations and impairments on Leader Price.

Consolidated net profit (loss), Group share amounted to -€886m vs. -€1,444m in 2019.

1 See definition on page 18.

2 Underlying diluted EPS includes the dilutive effect of TSSDI deeply-subordinated bond distributions.

Financial position at 31 December 2020

Casino Group consolidated gross debt at 31 December 2020 amounted to €7.4bn (vs €9.2bn at end-2019), including €4.8bn in France on debt covenants scope1 (vs €6.1bn at end-2019).

Consolidated net debt after IFRS 5 stood at €3.9bn at 31 December 2020 vs €4.1bn at 31 December 2019. In Latin America, the €0.7bn debt reduction was attributable to cash flow generation and the currency effect. In France, net debt was mainly affected by the settlement of GPA TRS (settled in H1 2020 for -£248m), as disposals were offset by a reduction in assets in IFRS 5. Excluding the effect of IFRS 5, net debt was reduced by -€566m over the year, including settlement of GPA TRS.

At 31 December 2020, the Group's liquidity in France (including Cdiscount) was €3.15bn, with €819m in cash and cash equivalents and €2.3bn confirmed undrawn lines of credit, available at any time. The Group also has €487m in a segregated account for gross debt redemptions.

Additional financial information relating to the 2019 refinancing documentation

At 31 December 2020, the Group complied with the covenants. The gross debt?/adjusted EBITDA3 ratio was 5.03x, below the 5.75x limit", with headroom of €679m in gross debt. The adjusted EBITDA/net finance costs ratio was 4.01x, above the required 2.25x, representing headroom of €416m in EBITDA.

2 Borrowings by the companies included in the refinancing documentation dated November 2019 (France, E-commerce, Segisor)

1 Scope defined in the refinancing documentation dated November 2019 (France, E-commerce, Segisor)

3 EBITDA after lease payments (i.e. repayments of principal and interest on lease liabilities)

4 5.75x at 31 December 2020, 6.50x at 31 March 2020, 6.00x at 30 June 2021, and 4.75x as from 31 December 2021

HIGHLIGHTS

Retail banners: EBITDA margin of 12% (up +155 bps) in the second half

Following the Group's repositioning, the sale or closure of loss-making businesses, the sale of Leader Price, the cost savings and operational efficiency plan and the reduction of non-food activities in favour of shop-in-shop models, all formats achieved a level of profitability including the hypermarkets, with a very satisfactory level for the other banners. France Retail EBITDA margin increased by +155 bps to 12% in the second half, with a trading margin of 6.4%.

Convenience and buoyant formats

  • In 2020, the Group continued to expand its premium and convenience store bases, opening 169 stores during the year, in line with the initial target of 300 store openings by end-2021.

  • The Group had 533 stores equipped with autonomous solutions at end-2020 (vs 305 at end-2019), facilitating evening and weekend openings. 61% of payments in Geant hypermarkets and 48% in Casino supermarkets are now made by smartphone or automatic check-out (vs 45% and 36% respectively at the beginning of 2020). Holders of the CasinoMax app accounted for 22% of sales in hypermarkets and supermarkets in the fourth quarter (vs 20% at end-2019).

Food E-commerce

  • In 2020, food e-commerce' sales rose by +67% like-for-like, thanks to the development of structurally profitable models:
    • Click & collect and home delivery solutions were deployed by the urban and convenience formats and new partnerships were signed with Deliveroo and Uber Eats;
    • The partnership with Amazon was extended to include Lyon and Bordeaux, in addition to Paris and Nice;
    • The O'logistique automated warehouse was launched in March 2020, based on Ocado technology. Operations were quickly ramped up, with orders placed via Monoprix Plus rising by +85% in the fourth quarter of 2020 (vs the third quarter) and the launch of Casino Plus for customers of Géant Casino and Supermarchés Casino in September 2020.

In 2021, priority will be given to growth on (i) the convenience formats in urban areas (Franprix, Naturalia) and semi-urban and rural areas (Spar, Vival, Casino Shop), with 100 stores scheduled to open in the first quarter and 200 in the second, and (ii) the food e-commerce business based on structurally profitable models.

Cdiscount: EBITDA up +63% in 2020

Cdiscount reported strong growth in profitability in 2020, with EBITDA increasing by +63% to €133m² (€101m after lease payments):

  • Growth in marketplace revenues accelerated by +23% to €182m (+40% in the fourth quarter)

  • The direct sales product mix was adjusted towards higher margin and recurring categories (home, leisure, beauty)

Marketplace gross merchandise volume (GMV) rose by +22% over the year, with growth in order intake accelerating to +30% in the second half.

  • The marketplace's contribution to total GMV rose by +5.3 pts to 43.6%, led by accelerated growth in the second half (up +6.1 pts)

  • Fulfillment by Cdiscount service revenue was up +26%, representing 33% of marketplace GMV.

1 Food E-commerce = E-commerce France excluding Cdiscount.

2 Data published by the subsidiary. Contribution to consolidated EBITDA after lease payments of €101m

Cdiscount pursued its international development with the launch, in early 2021 of a turnkey marketplace solution for retailers in France and international markets. This solution is intended to be deployed on a priority basis in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, representing an e-commerce market of more than €600bn. Cdiscount benefited from a €120m state-guaranteed loan on July 31.

In 2021, Cdiscount intends to pursue its strategic plan focused on (i) marketplace growth, (ii) product mix adjustments, (iii) digital marketing solutions, and (iv) the new turnkey marketplace solution.

Green Yellow: a unique player in energy transition in acceleration

Growth of the photovoltaic business accelerated, with total installed capacity rising by +56% in 2020 to 335 MWp and a photovoltaic pipeline increasing by +25% to represent 565 MWp as of end-2020.

Total energy savings delivered to customers have increased by +8% to €85m per year.

The number of energy contracts for B2C customers sold in partnership with Cdiscount doubled over the year.

In 2020, Green Yellow also continued to extend its geographic reach and expand the service offering:

  • In international markets, by penetrating new territories such as Vietnam and South Africa, and building a stronger presence in traditional geographies (Southeast Asia, Latin America, Indian Ocean)

  • By enhancing the service offering:

    • With the launch of Utilities as a Service solutions (service-based business model covering heating and cooling generation; deployment of the solution in 80 sites in 2021);
    • In the area of electric mobility, with the installation of 130 electric vehicle charging stations and a threefold increase in the installed base in 2021;
    • Through innovative solutions, such as floating solar farms (with an initial project in Thailand).

In 2021, considering its current installed capacity and the projects in the pipeline, Green Yellow expects to report EBITDA of €90m in 2021 (vs €64m² in 2020), led by:

  • Transition to a company-owned asset model, with an objective of adding 350 MWp to installed capacity in 2021, raising the total installed capacity to nearly 700 MWp, with a target of 1 GWp in 2022
  • Ongoing growth in energy performance contracts and energy savings certificates.

RelevanC: EBITDA up +50% in 2020

After developing its solutions for the Group banners, RelevanC now offers external customers the opportunity to accelerate the monetisation of their data:

  • The first contracts were signed with retailers in early 2021 (including one with a network of over 10,000 stores and 14 million loyalty programme members)

  • RelevanC offers specialised customer relationship management services, covering (i) optimised customer targeting for supplier advertising or marketing spend, and (ii) digital and in-store advertising space management.

RelevanC reported net sales of €55m2 and EBITDA of €18m, an increase of nearly +50% in 2020. The subsidiary, which has over 100 employees, offers:

  • A platform that enables a banner and its suppliers to personalise their promotional campaigns (promotional offers, optimised contact method, etc.)

  • A Retail Media platform that enables suppliers and marketplace vendors to buy advertising space on the Group sites or elsewhere, using RelevanC's expertise to target their customers.

In 2021, RelevanC intends to accelerate its growth by signing up new external clients.

2 Post-3W spin-off sales

1 €64m based on GreenYellow's accounts. €57m contribution to consolidated EBITDA

Spin-off of Assaí's activities in Latin America

In September 2020, GPA announced a project to demerge its activities in Brazil in order to optimize the potential of the cash & carry business (Assaí) on the one hand and the more traditional food retailing businesses of GPA and Éxito on the other.

The operation will enable them to operate autonomously and to focus on their respective business models and market opportunities. Each entity will benefit from direct access to the capital markets and the different financing sources, thereby creating more value for shareholders.

The spin-off plan was approved by GPA shareholders at the General Meeting on 31 December 2020 and the Assaí shares will be admitted to trading on 1 March 2021. Assaí shares will be distributed to GPA shareholders at a ratio of one Assaí share for each GPA share.

A recognised CSR commitment

The Casino Group was named No.1 European retailer by Vigeo Eiris' for its CSR policy and commitments, and it is also the highest ranked retailer in the Top 100 Sustainably Managed Companies list published by the Wall Street Journal.2

Recognised for its commitments in favour of the climate and environmental protection, the Group has already reduced its carbon emissions by -10% compared with the objective validated by the Science Based Target of -18% reduction by 2025? In France, the Group has sharply reduced its emissions by -18% in 2020, i.e. -34% since 2015, beyond the SBT objective (574 Kt CO2 eq in 2015, 461 Kt in 2019, and 380 Kt in 2020 on scopes 1 and 2) and adhered to the TCFD recommendations (TCFD supporter). For Monoprix, the Group aims to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.

Among its initiatives, the Group has developed an appropriate and responsible offering by actively promoting organic products which represented net sales of €1.3bn in 2020 (up +12%), encouraging development of the circular economy (launch of the Cdiscount Occasion platform for second hand goods) and combating food waste through the sale of short-dated products.

The Group also follows a responsible, inclusive and pro-diversity human resources policy by employing 205,000 people, with a 40.4% proportion of women managers (target of 45% in 2025) and over 8,400 employees with disabilities (4.1% of the workforce in 2020, target of 4.5% in 2025).

The Group has four foundations in France and Latin America, including the Casino Foundation, which has been working for 10 years to educate more than 2,000 children annually in France through theater.

1 A subsidiary of rating agency Moody's (Vigeo Eiris rating, December 2020)

² October 2020

3 Compared with 2015, scopes 1 and 2

4 Compared with 2020, scopes 1 and 2

Disposal plan for non-strategic assets: €2.8bn since July 2018

As of end-2020, sales of non-strategic assets completed since July 2018 totalled €2.8bn. In 2020, the Group achieved the following disposals:

  • On 30 June 2020, the Group announced that it had completed the sale of Vindémia, the leading retailer in the Indian Ocean region, to GBH for an enterprise value of €219m and received proceeds of €186m

  • On 21 August 2020, the Group announced the additional and definitive disposal of 5% of Mercialys equity through the Mercialys total return swap (TRS) for €26m

  • On 30 November 2020, the Casino Group announced that it had completed the sale to ALDI France of 545 Leader Price stores, 2 Casino supermarkets and 3 warehouses and received proceeds of €648m. The agreement provides for up to €35m earn-out

  • The Group also sold real estate assets for approximately €100m.

In view of the successful development of its broad portfolio of activities in France, the Group has a greater flexibility in implementing its disposal plan for which the €4.5bn objective is confirmed.

Refinancing plan: €1.5bn reduction in financing needs between 2021 and 2023

In 2020, the Group continued to strengthen its financial structure, by carrying out several transactions aimed at strengthening its liquidity until end-2023, reducing bond debt and extending its average maturity.

In December, the Casino Group carried out a large scale transaction that consisted of (i) tapping the 2024 Secured Term Loan B initially issued in November 2019 for an amount of €225m, (ii) the launch of an unsecured debt instrument maturing in January 2026 for €400m and (iii) a tender offer on Casino's unsecured notes maturing between 2021 and 2025 for an amount of €822m.

The cumulative amount of bonds bought back in 2020 on the market or through public tender offers thereby totalled €1.4bn. On completion of these transactions, the segregated account dedicated to the redemption of bonds had a balance of €487m.

Between June and December 2020, the amount payable on bond maturing between 2021 and 2023 was reduced by €1.5bn, from €1.8bn to €0.2bn, taking into account the amounts held in the segregated account.

Fourth quarter 2020 net sales

In the fourth quarter of 2020, the Group had net sales of €8,346m, down -9.6% in total due to exchange rates, consolidation scope and fuel impacts accounting for respectively -15.2%, -2.6% and -2.2%. The calendar effect was -0.2%. The Group's same-store sales were up +8.1%', led by dynamic activity levels in Latin America (up +13.5%). Net sales in France (including Cdiscount) rose by +0.9%' with gross sales under banner up +3.2%¹.

France Retail sales were impacted by a downturn in fuel sales (-€131m or -3.2 pts), the disposal of Vindemia and by the effects of the Rocade plan on hypermarkets. Same-store growth was +0.1% in a fourth quarter shaped by the second lockdown, the government ban on sales of non-essential goods in November and the curfew introduced in December.

The buoyant E-commerce and organic segments remained dynamic, recording same-store growth in net sales for the quarter of +67% and +7% respectively. The good performances of the convenience formats (+5.8%), the Casino supermarkets (+3.3%) and Naturalia (+12%) offset the decline in net sales recorded by Geant hypermarkets (-7.2%), which were affected by the government ban on sales of non-essential goods in November and the reduction in non-food sales in favour of shop-in-shop models. Sales at Monoprix (+1.0%) and Franprix (+0.7%) were resilient, with dynamic performances in the regions and the Paris suburbs offsetting lower consumption in Paris, which continued to be affected by the fall in the number of tourists and office workers.

Cdiscount reported organic growth in gross merchandise volume (GMV) of +10.2%, driven by the marketplace and international sales. The marketplace grew by +34% over the quarter and accounted for 45.0% of GMV (+7.5 pts). Cdiscount attracted 1.2 million new customers during the quarter, with a record high of 26.2 million unique visitors in December. International GMV grew by +90% during the quarter, thanks to a platform that brings together 206 websites covering 27 countries.

In total, in France (including Cdiscount), the second lockdown had no overall impact on gross sales under banner for the quarter, which rose by +3.2% on a same-store basis.

In Latin America, sales rose by +13.5%2 on a same-store basis and by +22.2% on an organic basis. The total net sales figure was impacted by an unfavourable currency effect of -31.6%. Fourth quarter sales growth in Latin America was driven by the excellent performance of Assaí (up +19.4% on a same-store basis and +34.1%2 on an organic basis), reflecting the commercial format's continued attractiveness and the success of expansion strategy. MultiVarejo's turnaround strategy continued to be successful, driving same-store growth of +10.4%2. Exito put in a good performance, achieving same-store growth of +7.5%2 despite the introduction of tighter travel restrictions in Argentina and Uruguay.

1 Same-store change excluding fuel and calendar effects

2 Data published by the subsidiary

Consolidated net sales by segment

Q4 2020/Q4 2019 Change
NET SALES 04 Total Organic Same-store
(in €m) 2020 growth growth' growth
France Retail 3,739 -10.2% -1.9% +0.1%
Cdiscount 643 +4.2% +4.3% +4.3%
Total France 4,382 -8.3% -1.0% +0.9%
Latam Retail 3,964 -10.9% +22.2% +13.5%
GROUP TOTAL 8,346 -9.6% +10.7% +8.1%
Cdiscount GMV 1,323 +10.1% +10.2% n.a.

Consolidated net sales in France by banner

Q3 2020/Q3 2019 change Q4 2020/Q4 2019 change
Net sales by banner (in €m) Q3 2020
net sales
Total
growth
Organic
growth
Same-store
growth1
Q4 2020
net sales
Total growth Organic
growth
Same-store
growth
Monoprix 1,024 -2.8% -3.1% -1.2% 1,219 -1.0% -0.2% +1.0%
Supermarkets 816 -4.4% -0.3% +0.8% 727 -6.2% 0.0% +3.3%
o/w Casino
Supermarkets
757 -4.3% -0.2% +1.7% 687 -6.8% -0.5% +3.3%
Franprix 343 -4.5% -3.9% -1.1% 378 -2.2% -2.5% +0.7%
Convenience & Other3 478 -29.0% +3.2% +6.5% 456 -24.8% +4.1% +5.6%
o/w Convenience4 404 +4.7% +6.2% +6.5% 315 +6.1% +5.4% +5.8%
Hypermarkets 1,016 -13.5% -5.9% -3.0% 959 -17.6% -8.6% -6.8%
o/w Géant 950 -14.6% -6.8% -2.7% 903 -18.7% -9.5% -7.2%
o/w Food 663 -10.0% n.a. -2.8% 652 -9.4% n.a. -5.3%
o/w Non-food 113 -21.1% n.a. -2.9% 107 -32.1% n.a. -18.6%
FRANCE RETAIL 3,676 -10.6% -2.6% -0.2% 3,739 -10.2% -1.9% +0.1%

¹ Excluding fuel and calendar effects

2 Excluding Codim stores in Corsica: 8 supermarkets and 4 hypermarkets

³ Other: mainly Vindémia, Geimex and Restaurants
¹ Convenience segment net sales on a same-store basis include the same-store performance of franchised stores

Outlook for 2021 in France

  • Sharply improved profitability, continuing the trend established in the second half of 2020

  • Having completed its refocusing on buoyant formats, the Group is now giving priority to growth

    • Expansion in the urban, semi-urban and rural convenience formats (100 stores to be opened in the first quarter and 200 in the second)
    • Development of e-commerce based on structurally profitable models (O'logistique automated warehouse, partnership with Amazon, click & collect and home delivery service offered by urban formats)
  • Ongoing growth in cash flow from continuing operations and free cash flow'

    • Continued EBITDA growth
    • -
    • -
  • Ongoing deleveraging
    • In view of the successful development of its broad portfolio of activities in France, the Group has a greater flexibility in implementing its disposal plan for which the €4.5bn objective is confirmed
    • In light of the priority given to the deleveraging plan, the Board of Directors will recommend to the 2021 Annual General Meeting not to pay a dividend in 2021 in respect of 2020

4 France scope excluding GreenYellowfor which development and transition to a company-owned asset model is ensures

APPENDICES - ADDITIONAL 2020 FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO THE AUTUMN 2019 REFINANCING DOCUMENTATION

See press release dated 21 November 2019

Financial information for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2020:

In Em France Retail
+ E-commerce
Latam Total
Net sales1 4,382 3,965 8,347
EBITDA 617 460 1,077
(-) impact of leases2 (153) (64) (218)
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA
including leases-
464 396 860

Financial information for the 12-month period ended 31 December 2020:

In Em France Retail
+ F-commerce
Latam Total
Net sales 17,256 14,656 31,912
EBITDA 1,580 1,161 2,742
(-) impact of leases2 (634) (278) (912)
(i) Adjusted consolidated EBITDA including
leases 3
946 884 1,830
(ii) Gross debt 14 4,761 2,617 7,378
(iii) Gross cash & cash equivalents13 828 1,916 2,744

As at 31 December 2020, the Group's liquidity within the "France + E-commerce" scope was €3.15bn, with €819m in cash and cash equivalents and confirmed undrawn lines of credit of €2.3bn.

Additional information regarding covenants and segregated accounts:

Covenants tested as from 31 March 2020 pursuant to the €2bn Revolving Credit Facility dated 18 November 2019

Type of covenant (France and E-commerce) At 31 December 2020
Gross debt4/adjusted EBITDA3 <5.75x6 5.03x
Adjusted EBITDA3/Net finance costs >2.25x 4.01x

The Group confirms that €373m were credited to the Segregated Account during the quarter ended 31 December 2020, corresponding to the funds raised through the December 2020 refinancing transaction but not used.

No cash has been debited from the Segregated Account and its balance stood at €487m at 31 December 2020. No cash has been credited or debited from the Bond Segregated Account and its balance remained at €0.

&#x27; Unaudited data, scope as defined in refinancing segisor accounted for within the France Retail + E-commerce scope

² Interest paid on lease liabilities and repayment of lease liabilities as defined in the documentation

3 EBITDA after lease payments (i.e. repayments of principal and interest on lease liabilities)

4 Loans and other borrowings

5 At 31 December 2020

6 5.75x at 31 December 2020, 6.50x at 31 March 2021, 6.00x at 30 June 2021, and 4.75x as from 31 December 2021

Net sales
In Em
2019 (restated) 2020 Reported change Change at CER
France Retail 16,322 15,219 -6.8%
Latam Retail 16,358 14,656 -10.4% +17.3%
E-commerce
(Cdiscount)
1,966 2,037 +3.6%
Group total 34,645 31,912 -7.9% +9.0%+
EBITDA
In Em
2019 (restated) 2020 Reported change Change at CER
France Retail 1,467 1,451 -1.1% -0.6%
Latam Retail 1,104 1,161 +5.2% +36.1%
E-commerce
(Cdiscount)
69 129 +87.8% +87.8%
Group total 2,640 2,742 +3.9% +17.0%
Trading profit
In Em
2019 (restated) 2020 Reported change Change at CER
France Retail 689 625 -9.4% -8.5%
Latam Retail 628 748 +19.1% +54.5%
E-commerce
(Cdiscount)
র্ব 53 n.m. n.m.
Group total 1,321 1,426 +7.9% +25.2%

Net debt
In Em
2019 Change over 2020
Net debt
after IFRS 5
Net debt
excl. IFRS 5
over the period Net debt
excl. IFRS 5
Net debt
after IFRS 5
France 2,505 4,069 -318 (-566 incl. GPA
TRS settlement)
3,751 3,048
o/w France Retail 2,284 3,848 -310 3,538 2,835
o/w E-commerce (Cdiscount) 221 221 -8 213 213
Latam Retail 1,550 1,587 -705 882 866
o/w GPA (Multivarejo) 516 541 -168 373 361
o/w Assai 1,460 1,460 -796 664 664
o/w Exito (638) (626) +293 (333) (338)
o/w Segisor 185 185 -6 179 179
Total 4,055 5,657 -1,023 4,634 3,914

— 2020 France net debt excluding IFRS 5

In €m - France + Cdiscount 2019 2020
France net debt excl. IFRS 5 at 1 January (4,026) (4,069)
Free cash flow before asset disposals, disposal plan and Rocade plan 221 288
Financial expenses2 (207) (328)
Dividends paid to owners of the parent and holders of TSSDI deeply-
subordinated bonds
(213) (43)
Share buybacks and transactions with
non-controlling interests
(90) (37)
Other net financial investments (331) (383)3
Other non-cash items 60 1484
o/w non-cash financial expenses (6) 57
Rocade plan 27 (18)
Disposal plan and other disposals 797 9395
Segisor (198) 0
Settlement of GPA TRS and Forward (109) (248)
Net debt excluding IFRS 5 at 31 December (4,069) (3,751)
Change in net debt, excluding IFRS 5 -43 +318
Impact of GPA TRS and Forward settlements 109 248
Change in net debt, excluding IFRS 5, GPA TRS & Forward +66 +566

¹ Before dividends paid to the owners of TSDI deeply-subordinated bonds, excluding financial expenses, including lease payments - Best of Heatler parte of the parent and of the seaps in 2019 (with a mon-cash compremating)
(repayments of lease liablities, included of swaps in 2019 (with a non-cash comp

4 Including investment in the segregated account, purchases of Leader Price stores (-655m) and current account with Leader Price

5 Including real estate disposals, proceeds collected from the sale of Vindemia (€186m), proceeds from the sale of Mercialys shares (€26m), and related fees

In Em 2019
(restated)
Restated
items
2019
underlying
2020 Restated
items
2020
underlying
Trading profit 1,321 0 1,321 1,426 0 1,426
Other operating income
and expenses
(713) 713 0 (797) 797 0
Operating profit 609 73 1,321 628 797 1,426
Net finance costs (356) 0 (356) (357) 0 (357)
Other financial income
and expenses4
(450) 34 (416) (392) 67 (324)
Income taxes2 (132) (114) (246) (82) (180) (261)
Share of profit of equity-
accounted investees
46 0 46 50 0 50
Net profit (loss) from
continuing operations
(283) 633 349 (152) 685 533
o/w attributable to
non-controlling
interests3
112 41 154 218 47 265
o/w Group share (396) 591 196 (370) 638 268

2020/2019 change
Net sales 2020 Total Organic Same-store
(in €m) net sales growth growth growth
France Retail 15,219 -6.8% +0.5% +3.0%
Cdiscount 2,037 +3.6% +3.6% +3.6%
Total France 17,256 -5.6% +1.0% +3.2%
Latam Retail 14,656 -10.4% +17.3% +11.6%
GROUP TOTAL 31,912 -7.9% +9.0% +7.8%
Cdiscount GMV 4,207 +7.9% +8.6% n.a.
Net sales by banner (in €m) 2020
net sales
Total growth Organic growth Same-store
growth1
Monoprix 4,537 -0.2% -0.1% +1.6%
Supermarkets 3,069 -2.3% +3.3% +5.4%
o/w Casino
Supermarkets2
2,896 -2.3% +3.4% +6.1%
Franprix 1,579 +3.5% +3.9% +7.1%
Convenience & Other3 2,199 -13.6% +4.5% +9.1%
o/w Convenience4 1,416 +7.5% +7.6% +10.3%
Hypermarkets 3,836 -15.9% -4.9% -2.3%
o/w Géant 3,620 -16.7% -5.3% -2.2%
o/w Food 2,588 -10.5% n.a. -1.5%
o/w Non-food 427 -22.5% n.a. -7.4%
TRANQUEIR PHIR PATI 15,219 -6.8% +0.5% +3.0%

H2 2019 H2 2020 Reported growth Organic growth
FY 2019 FY 2020 Reported growth Organic growth

Cnova provided a detailed report on its 2020 results on 18 February 2021.

AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATES Q4 2019 Q4 2020 Currency effect
Brazil (EUR/BRL) 4.5580 6.4373 -29.2%
Colombia (EUR/COP) (x 1000) 3.7696 4.3559 -13.5%
Uruguay (EUR/UYP) 41.5081 50.8326 -18.3%
Argentina¹ (EUR/ARS) 65.7062 95.5576 -31.2%
TOTAL ESTIMATED GROSS FOOD SALES
UNDER BANNER (in €m, excluding fuel)
Same-store change
(excl. calendar effects)
Q4 2020 Q4 2020 FY 2020
Monoprix 1,249 +1.0% +1.6%
Franprix 438 -0.1% +7.3%
Supermarkets 704 +3.9% +5.4%
Hypermarkets 798 -4.0% -1.2%
Convenience & Other 607 +5.4% +10.2%
o/w Convenience 394 +5.7% +10.2%
TOTAL KOOD 3,796 +1.1% +3.9%
Same-store change
TOTAL ESTIMATED GROSS NON-FOOD SALES
UNDER BANNER (in €m, excluding fuel)
(excl. calendar effects)
Q4 2020 Q4 2020 FY 2020
Hypermarkets 135 -17.4% -7.1%
Cdiscount 1,067 +11.8% +9.6%
TOTAL NON-FOOD 1,202 +8.8% +7.9%
TOTAL GROSS SALES UNDER BANNER
(in €m, excluding fuel)
Same-store change
(excl. calendar effects)
04 2020 Q4 2020 FY 2020
TOTAL FRANCE AND CDISCOUNT 4,998 +3.2% +4.9%

1 Pursuant to the application of IAS 29, the exchange rate used to convert the Argentina figures corresponds to the rate at the reporting date

FRANCE 31/03/2020 30/06/2020 30/09/2020 31/12/2020
Geant Casino hypermarkets 104 104 105 105
o/w French franchised affiliates র্ব 4 4 4
International affiliates 6 6 7 7
Casino Supermarkets 411 415 414 419
o/w French franchised affiliates 69 69 68 71
International affiliates 22 22 23 24
Monoprix 789 789 791 799
o/w franchised affiliates 190 190 191 192
Naturalia integrated stores 181 181 181 184
Naturalia franchises 26 26 28 32
Franprix 867 869 869 872
o/w franchises 441 481 463 479
Convenience 5,130 5,134 5,166 5,206
Other businesses 223 219 219 233
Indian Ocean 262 0 0 0
Total France 7,786 7,530 7,564 7,634
INTERNATIONAL 31/03/2020 30/06/2020 30/09/2020 31/12/2020
ARGENTINA 25 25 25 25
Libertad hypermarkets 15 15 15 15
Mini Libertad and Petit Libertad 10 10 10 10
mini-supermarkets
URUGUAY 93 ਹੇਤੇ 92 93
Géant hypermarkets 2 2 2 2
Disco supermarkets 29 29 29 30
Devoto supermarkets 24 24 24 24
Devoto Express mini-supermarkets 36 36 35 35
Möte 2 2 2 2
BRAZIL 1,072 1,070 1,054 1,057
Extra hypermarkets 107 107 104 103
Pão de Açúcar supermarkets 185 182 182 182
151 151 147 147
Extra supermarkets
Compre Bem
28 28 28 28
Assaí (cash & carry) 167 169 176 184
Mini Mercado Extra & Minuto Pão de 238 238 239
Açúcar mini-supermarkets 236
Drugstores 123 122 104 103
+ Service stations 73 73 74 74
COLOMBIA 1,984 1,981 1,980 1,983
Éxito hypermarkets 92 92 92 92
Exito and Carulla supermarkets 157 157 154 153
Super Inter supermarkets 69 69 69 69
Surtimax (discount) 1,540 1,536 1,539 1,544
o/w "Aliados" 1,460 1,459 1,465 1,470
B2B 32 32 34 34
Exito Express and Carulla Express 94 95 92
mini-supermarkets 91
CAMEROON l l 2 2
Cash & Carry 1 1 2 2
Total International 3,175 3,170 3,153 3,160

CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Net sales 31,912 34,645
Other revenue 598 665
Total revenue 32,510 35,310
Cost of goods sold (24,314) (26,546)
Gross margin 8,195 8,765
Selling expenses (5,504) (6,073)
General and administrative expenses (1,265) (1,371)
Trading profit 1,426 1,321
As a % of net sales 4.5% 3.8%
Other operating income 306 63
Other operating expenses (1,103) (776)
Operating profit 628 609
As a % of net sales 2.0% 1.8%
Income from cash and cash equivalents 16 39
Finance costs (373) (396)
Net finance costs (357) (356)
Other financial income 210 265
Other financial expenses (602) (715)
Profit (loss) before tax (120) (198)
As a % of net sales -0.4% -0.6%
Income tax benefit (expense) (82) (132)
Share of profit (loss) of equity-accounted investees 50 46
Net profit /(loss) from continuing operations (152) (283)
As a % of net sales -0.5% -0.8%
Attributable to owners of the parent (370) (396)
Attributable to non-controlling interests 218 112
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Net profit (loss) from discontinued operations (508) (1,054)
Attributable to owners of the parent (516) (1,048)
Attributable to non-controlling interests 7 (6)
CONTINUING AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Consolidated net profit (loss) (660) (1,338)
Attributable to owners of the parent (886) (1,444)
Attributable to non-controlling interests 225 106

Earnings per share

From continuing operations, attributable to owners of the parent

Basic
(3.75) (4.01)

Diluted
(3.75) (4.01)
From continuing and discontinued operations, attributable to owners of the
parent

Basic
(8.54) (13.72)

Diluted
(8.54) (13.72)

1

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

(in € millions) 2020 2019 (restated)1
Consolidated net profit (loss) (660) (1,338)
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss (1,367) (128)
Cash flow hedges and cash flow hedge reserve(i) (17) (27)
Foreign currency translation adjustments(ii) (1,328) (110)
Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income (OCI) 1 6
Share of items of equity-accounted investees that may be subsequently reclassified to
profit or loss
(27) (4)
Income tax effects 5 6
Items that will never be reclassified to profit or loss (10) (14)
Equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income - (1)
Actuarial gains and losses (14) (18)
Share of items of equity-accounted investees that will never be subsequently reclassified
to profit or loss
- (1)
Income tax effects 5 6
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year, net of tax (1,377) (142)
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year, net of tax (2,037) (1,480)
o/w Group share (1,455) (1,537)
Attributable to non-controlling interests (581) 58

(i) The change in the cash flow hedge reserve was not material in either 2020 or 2019.

(ii) The €1,328 million negative net translation adjustment in 2020 arose primarily from the depreciation of the Brazilian and Colombian currencies (€957 million and €235 million, respectively). The €110 million negative net translation adjustment in 2019 arose primarily from the depreciation of the Brazilian, Argentine and Uruguayan currencies, for €70 million, €57 million and €54 million respectively, partially offset by the appreciation of the Colombian peso for €68 million.

ASSETS 31 December
2020
31 December 1 January
(in € millions) 2019
(restated)1
2019
(restated)1
Goodwill 6,656 7,489 8,682
Intangible assets 2,061 2,296 2,265
Property and equipment 4,279 5,113 5,843
Investment property 428 493 497
Right-of-use assets 4,888 5,602 5,312
Investments in equity-accounted investees 191 341 500
Other non-current assets 1,217 1,183 1,151
Deferred tax assets 1,035 784 666
Non-current assets 20,754 23,300 24,916
Inventories 3,209 3,775 3,834
Trade receivables 941 836 905
Other current assets 1,770 1,536 1,383
Current tax assets 167 111 165
Cash and cash equivalents 2,744 3,572 3,730
Assets held for sale 932 2,818 8,464
Current assets 9,763 12,647 18,481
TOTAL ASSETS 30,517 35,948 43,397
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 31 December
2020
31 December 1 January
(in € millions) 2019
(restated) 1
2019
(restated) 1
Share capital 166 166 168
Additional paid-in capital, treasury shares, retained earnings and 3,097 4,603 6,312
consolidated net profit (loss)
Equity attributable to owners of the parent
3,263 4,769 6,480
Non-controlling interests 2,856 3,488 5,203
Total equity 6,118 8,256 11,682
Non-current provisions for employee benefits 351 357 366
Other non-current provisions 374 458 475
Non-current borrowings and debt, gross 6,888 8,100 6,782
Non-current lease liabilities 4,281 4,761 4,327
Non-current put options granted to owners of non-controlling
interests
45 61 63
Other non-current liabilities 201 181 469
Deferred tax liabilities 508 566 667
Total non-current liabilities 12,648 14,485 13,150
Current provisions for employee benefits 12 11 11
Other current provisions 189 153 157
Trade payables 6,190 6,580 6,668
Current borrowings and debt, gross 1,168 1,549 2,199
Current lease liabilities 705 723 657
Current put options granted to owners of non-controlling interests 119 105 126
Current tax liabilities 98 48 127
Other current liabilities 3,059 2,839 2,613
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale 210 1,197 6,008
Current liabilities 11,750 13,206 18,565
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 30,517 35,948 43,397

(120)
Profit (loss) before tax from continuing operations
(198)
(462)
Profit (loss) before tax from discontinued operations
(979)
Consolidated profit (loss) before tax
(581)
Depreciation and amortisation expense
1,316
(1,177)
1,318
Provision and impairment expense
390
240
Losses (gains) arising from changes in fair value
78
40
Expenses/(income) on share-based payment plans
12
13
(56)
Other non-cash items
(62)
(88)
(Gains) losses on disposals of non-current assets
9
(Gains) losses due to changes in percentage ownership of subsidiaries resulting in
58
acquisition/loss of control
11
17
Dividends received from equity-accounted investees
43
Net finance costs
356
356
Interest paid on leases, net
320
60
Non-recourse factoring and associated transaction costs
324
77
258
Disposal gains and losses and adjustments related to discontinued operations
977
Net cash from operating activities before change in working capital, net finance costs
2,142
2,170
and income tax
Income tax paid
(157)
Change in operating working capital
26
(259)
92
Income tax paid and change in operating working capital: discontinued operations
211
(882)
Net cash from operating activities
2,222
1,120
of which continuing operations
2,215
2,004
Cash outflows related to acquisitions of:
 Property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and investment property
(927)
 Non-current financial assets
(942)
(1,107)
(440)
Cash inflows related to disposals of:
 Property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and investment property
423
890
 Non-current financial assets
461
68
Effect of changes in scope of consolidation resulting in acquisition or loss of control
157
218
Effect of changes in scope of consolidation related to equity-accounted investees
(63)
(39)
Change in loans and advances granted
(28)
(42)
Net cash from/(used in) investing activities of discontinued operations
453
422
Net cash from (used in) investing activities
(466)
of which continuing operations
(920)
(32)
(453)
Dividends paid:
 to owners of the parent
-
(169)
(44)
 to non-controlling interests
(83)
(36)
 to holders of deeply-subordinated perpetual bonds
(46)
Increase (decrease) in the parent's share capital
-
-
Transactions between the Group and owners of non-controlling interests
(55)
(Purchases) sales of treasury shares
(1)
(971)
(40)
Additions to loans and borrowings
2,066
4,542
(2,632)
Repayments of loans and borrowings
(3,694)
Repayments of lease liabilities
(603)
(649)
Interest paid, net
(717)
(670)
Other repayments
(23)
Net cash used in financing activities of discontinued operations
(73)
(12)
(297)
Net cash used in financing activities
(2,117)
(2,088)
of which continuing operations
(2,044)
(1,792)
Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations
(494)
(3)
Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations
-
19
Change in cash and cash equivalents
(856)
(984)
Net cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
3,530
4,514
-
of which net cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations
3,471
3,592
-
of which net cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations
59
922
Net cash and cash equivalents at end of period
2,675
3,530
-
of which net cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations
2,675
-
of which net cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations
(1)
3,471
59

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