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Fourlis S.A.

Annual Report Apr 9, 2019

2687_10-k_2019-04-09_c0338f0e-ce30-4b04-917a-871e7dd17357.pdf

Annual Report

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FOURLIS HOLDINGS S.A. REG. NO: 13110/06/Β/86/01 GENERAL ELECTRONIC COMMERCIAL REGISTRY NO: 258101000 OFFICES: 18-20, SOROU STR. (Building A) – 151 25 MAROUSI

ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT For the period 1/1/2018 to 31/12/2018 (TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK ORIGINAL) (In accordance with Law 3556/2007)

Table of Contents

Statements of Members of the Board of Directors 3
Annual Report of the Board of Directors of the Company FOURLIS HOLDINGS SA for the
period 1/1 –
31/12/2018
4
Independent Auditor's Report 52
Statement of Financial Position (Consolidated and Separate) as at December 31, 2018 and at
December 31,2017
58
Income Statement (Consolidated) for the period 1/1 to 31/12/2018 and 1/1 to 31/12/2017 59
Statement of Comprehensive Income (Consolidated) for the period 1/1 to 31/12/2018 and
1/1 to 31/12/2017
60
Income Statement (Separate) for the period 1/1 to 31/12/2018 and 1/1 to 31/12/2017 61
Statement of Comprehensive Income (Separate) for the period 1/1 to 31/12/2018 and 1/1 to
31/12/2017
62
Statement of Changes in Equity (Consolidated) for the period 1/1 to 31/12/2018 and 1/1 to
31/12/2017
63
Statement of Changes in Equity (Separate) for the period 1/1 to 31/12/2018 and 1/1 to
31/12/2017
64
Statement of Cash Flows (Consolidated and Separate) for the period 1/1 to 31/12/2018 and
1/1 to 31/12/2017
65
Notes to the annual financial statements (consolidated and separate) as of Dec 31, 2018 and
for the year then ended
66
Web site for the publication of the Annual Financial Statements 132

Statements of Members of the Board of Directors

(In accordance with article 4 par. 2 L. 3556/ 2007)

The members of the Board of Directors of FOURLIS HOLDINGS SA

    1. Vassilis S. Fourlis, Chairman,
    1. Dafni A. Fourlis, Vice Chairman and
    1. Apostolos D. Petalas, CEO

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

  • a. The Financial Statements (Consolidated and Separate) of FOURLIS HOLDINGS SA for the period 1/1/ - 31/12/2018 which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as endorsed by the EU, provide a true and fair view of the Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders Equity along with the income statement of FOURLIS HOLDINGS S.A. as well as of the companies that are included in the consolidation taken as a whole.
  • b. The Annual Report of Board of Directors provides a true and fair view of the evolution, performance and financial position of FOURLIS HOLDINGS S.A. and of the companies included in the consolidation, taken as a whole, as well as a description of the main risks and uncertainties they face.

Maroussi, March 18 2019

The Chairman The Vice Chairman The CEO

Vassilis S. Fourlis Dafni A. Fourlis Apostolos D. Petalas

Annual Report of the Board of Directors of the Company FOURLIS HOLDINGS SA for the period 1/1 – 31/12/2018

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF YEAR 2019

Dear Shareholders,

This Financial Report of the Board of Directors is for the period 1/1 - 31/12/2018 and was conducted in compliance with the relevant provisions of L. 2190/1920 as applied until 31/12/2018, article 4 of L. 3556/2007 and resolution 7/448/22.10.2007 of Hellenic Capital Market Commission. Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements comply to IFRS as adopted by EU.

Please find below for your approval, the Financial Statements of the period 1/1 – 31/12/2018 of the Company FOURLIS HOLDINGS S.A. and the Group which consists of its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

1. THE GROUP – Business Segments

The FOURLIS Group ("Group"), which consists of the parent Company FOURLIS HOLDINGS S.A. ("Company") along with its subsidiaries and their subsidiaries, is mainly operating in the Retail Trading of Home Furniture and Household Goods (IKEA Stores) and the Retail Trading of Sporting Goods (INTERSPORT and TAF Stores).

The subsidiary companies and their subsidiaries that are included in the consolidated financial statements for the year 2018, grouped per segment and country of operation are the following:

a) Full method

Retail Trading of Home Furniture and Household Goods (IKEA Stores)

The retail trading of home furniture and household goods segment includes the following Companies:

  • HOUSEMARKET SA which operates in Greece and the parent company has a direct shareholding of 100%.
  • H.M. HOUSEMARKET (CYPRUS) LTD which operates in Cyprus and the parent company has an indirect shareholding of 100%.
  • TRADE LOGISTICS S.A. which operates in Greece and the parent company has an indirect shareholding of 100% (except one share). The retail trading of home furniture and household goods segment includes warehousing services provided by the company TRADE LOGISTICS SA.
  • RENTIS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS SA which operates in Greece and the parent company has an indirect shareholding of 100% (except one share).
  • HOUSE MARKET BULGARIA AD which operates in Bulgaria and the parent company has an indirect shareholding of 100% (except one share).

WYLDES LTD which operates in Cyprus and the parent company has an indirect shareholding of 100%. Through associated companies WYLDES LTD, VYNER LTD and SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPRISES LTD, the group has a shareholding in the company SOFIA SOUTH RING MALL EAD, which operates one of the biggest malls in Sofia Bulgaria as well as its relevant operating activities.

Retail Trading of Sporting Goods (INTERSPORT and TAF Stores)

The retail trading of sporting goods segment includes the following Companies:

  • INTERSPORT ATHLETICS SA which operates in Greece and the parent company has a direct shareholding of 100%.
  • INTERSPORT ATHLETICS (CYPRUS) LTD which operates in Cyprus and the parent company has an indirect shareholding of 100%.
  • GENCO BULGARIA EOOD which operates in Bulgaria and the parent company has an indirect shareholding of 100%.
  • INTERSPORT ATLETİK MAĞAZACILIK VE DIŞ TİCARET A.Ş. which operates in Turkey and the parent company has an indirect shareholding of 100%.
  • TRADE LOGISTICS S.A. which operates in Greece and the parent company has an indirect shareholding of 100% (except one share). The retail trading of sporting goods segment includes warehousing services provided by the company TRADE LOGISTICS SA.
  • GENCO TRADE SRL which operates in Romania. The parent company has a direct shareholding of 1,57% and an indirect shareholding of 98,43%.

b) Net Equity method

The Group's consolidated data include, the following affiliated companies:

  • VYNER LTD which operates in Cyprus and the subsidiary company WYLDES LTD has a direct shareholding of 50%.
  • SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPRISES LTD which operates in Cyprus, in which WYLDES LTD has a direct shareholding of 50%.

2. FINANCIAL DATA – IMPORTANT FACTS & FIGURES

(All the amounts are in thousands of euro unless otherwise stated)

Sales for retail trading of Furniture and Household Goods (IKEA Stores) increased by 1,8% compared to the corresponding period of 2017 while sales of the retail trading of Sporting Goods (INTERSPORT & TAF Stores) increased by 6,3%. More specifically:

The retail trading of Furniture and Household Goods (IKEA Stores) segment, realized sales of € 296,7 million for the year 2018 (2017: € 291,3 million). The EBITDA totaled € 32,1 million compared to € 31,0 million in 2017 and reported profits before tax € 15,8 million versus € 13,8 million profits in 2017.

The retail trading of Sporting Goods segment (INTERSPORT and TAF Stores), realized sales of € 151,8 million for the year 2018 (2017: € 142,7 million). The segment's EBITDA for the year 2018 totaled € 13,5 million (€ 11,9 million in 2017), while recorded profits before tax € 3,9 million compared to € 1,9 million in 2017.

Group's consolidated profits before tax amounted to € 18,5 million compared to consolidated profits before tax € 14,5 million in 2017. Net profit amounted to € 14,3 million compared to profit € 10,0 million on 2017.

In an effort to present a complete and fair view of the Group's performance, we report the consolidated results per segment for the period 1/1 – 31/12/2018 versus 1/1 – 31/12/2017 at the following tables. Amounts are in thousands of euros.

Retail Trading of Home Furniture and Household Goods (IKEA stores):

2018 2017 2018/2017
Revenue 296.698 291.312 1,02
EBITDA (*) 32.134 30.981 1,04
Profit before Tax 15.784 13.771 1,15

(*) The alternative performance measures selected are mentioned in note 9.

Retail Trading of Sporting Goods (INTERSPORT and TAF stores)
-------------------------------------------------------------- --
2018 2017 2018/2017
Revenue 151.787 142.735 1,06
EBITDA (*) 13.534 11.866 1,14
Profit before Tax 3.910 1.861 2,10

(*)The alternative performance measures selected are mentioned in note 9.

Group Consolidated:

2018 2017 2018/2017
Revenue 448.486 434.059 1,03
EBITDA (*) 44.269 41.837 1,06
Profit before Tax 18.470 14.532 1,27
Net Profit After Tax and Minority
Interests
14.291 10.039 1,42

(*)The alternative performance measures selected are mentioned in note 9.

We note that on a consolidated basis the Group's Total Equity (after minority interest) at December 31, 2018 amounts to € 173,7 million versus an amount of € 167,9 million of year end 2017. EBITDA does not include income from depreciation of grant assets.

3. Basic Financial Indicators (Consolidated)

Below please find basic Indicators for the Group Financial Structure and Performance & Efficiency according to the consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Financial Report of the

Group, for the years 2018 and 2017 respectively.

Financial Structure Indicators:

2018 2017
Total Current assets / Total Assets 34,12% 33,91%
Total Liabilities / Total SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY & LIABILITIES 59,04% 60,17%
Total Shareholders Equity / Total SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY &
LIABILITIES
40,96% 39,83%
Total Current assets / Total Current Liabilities 113,96% 113,74%

Performance & Efficiency basic Indicators:

2018 2017
Operating Profit / Revenue 6,74% 6,43%
Profit before Tax / Total Shareholders Equity 10,63% 8,66%

4. Operating Performance – Important developments:

During the period 1/1 – 31/12/2018 the following share capital changes were realized to the parent company and its subsidiaries:

FOURLIS HOLDINGS S.A.:

Following resolutions of the General Assembly of the shareholders of the company held on 15/6/2018 (relevant minutes of the G.A. with number 22/15.06.2018), the share capital of the company a) increased by the amount of € 2.065.747,52 with capitalization, according to the provision of article 71B § 6 L. 4172/2013, of equal amount of the reserve formed in accordance with L. 2065/1992 from shares distribution after capitalization of goodwill which resulted from property revaluation of subsidiaries or other companies in which the Company has a shareholding and increase of the nominal value of the share by the amount of € 0,04, and b) decreased by the amount of € 5.164.368,80 with reduction of nominal value of each share by the amount of € 0,10 and corresponding capital return to shareholders.

The aforementioned change was registered to the General Electronic Commercial Registry (GECR) on 27/6/2018 (Code Registration Number 1411661), with the relevant 1196323/27.06.2018 announcement issued by the Minister of Finance and Development.

Under the context of the previous Stock Option Plan which was approved and established by the resolution of the Extraordinary General Assembly of the shareholders on 27/9/2013 (Stock Option Plan – hereinafter "the Program"), within the year 2018, 163.626 options were exercised (hereinafter "the Options"). Following the resolution of the Board of Directors on 17/12/2018 (relevant minutes of the BoD with number 400/17.12.2018), the exercise of the aforementioned options from the corresponding beneficiaries of the Program was certified by payment of the exercise price of the new shares.

It is noted that the underlying value of the shares to which the remaining stock options reflect, was initially determined at the amount of €3,40 per share, which was the stock closing price of the share on the date of the resolution of the General Assembly for the SOP (27/9/2013). Already, the resolutions 20/11/2017 and 19/11/2018 of the BoD (relevant minutes of the G.A. with number 389/20.11.2017 and 399/19.11.2018) resulted to the readjustment of the historical share price of the Company and therefore the implemented exercise price of stock options of the SOP is € 3,2823 per share.

Following the certification of the payment of the exercise price of the Stock Options by their beneficiaries, namely the amount of € 537.069,61, 163.626 new common nominal shares were issued and delivered to the corresponding beneficiaries of the Program, of nominal value € 0,91 per share, while the share capital of the Company increased by the amount of € 148.899,66 which reflects to the nominal value of the new shares. Moreover, following the exercise of the aforementioned Options by payment of the exercise value, namely € 3,2823 per share according to the aforementioned, the share premium, of total amount € 388.169,95, was transferred to "Share Premium reserve".

The aforementioned change was registered to the General Electronic Commercial Registry (GECR) on 22/1/2019 (Code Registration Number 1638212), with the relevant 7785/22.01.2019 announcement issued by the Minister of Finance and Development.

Following these changes, the share capital of the Company now amounts to € 47.144.655,74 divided into 51.807.314 shares of nominal value € 0,91 per share, totally paid.

GENCO BULGARIA EOOD:

Following the resolution of the General Assembly of the shareholders of the company held on 28/6/2018, the share capital of the company increased by the amount of BGN 1.570.000,00 by issuing 157.000 new common nominal vote shares, of nominal value BGN 10,00 each. The share capital increase was totally covered by the shareholder INTERSPORT ATHLETICS S.A. following the resolution of 2/7/2018 of the Board of Directors and was registered in the relevant commercial registers on 19/7/2018. After the aforementioned share capital increase, the share capital amounts to BGN 14.955.170,00 divided into 1.495.517 shares of nominal value BGN 10,00 per share. Exchange rate euro (€) with leva (BGN) is fixed at: 1 € = 1,95583 BGN.

INTERSPORT ATLETİK MAĞAZACILIK VE DIŞ TİCARET A.Ş.:

Following resolutions of the General Assembly of the shareholders of the company held on 21/3/2018, the share capital of the company a) decreased by the amount of TL 30.421.662,00, with decrease of nominal value of each share by the amount of TL 0,24, to offset prior years losses and b) increased by the amount of € TL 14.000.000 through cash payment, by issuing 87.500.000 new common nominal shares of nominal value TL 0,16 per share. The share capital increase was totally covered by the shareholder INTERSPORT ATHLETICS S.A. (contribution in kind, by capitalization of advances).

Following the resolution of the shareholders General Assembly of the company on 24/12/2018, the share capital of the company increased by the amount of TL 9.607.448,00 with capitalization of part of this company's liabilities towards the shareholder INTERSPORT ATHLETICS SA, until the aforementioned amount, which arises from sales of goods.

The shareholder INTERSPORT ATHLETICS SA took all shares issued by the company towards capitalization of its aforementioned liabilities.

After the aforementioned changes, which were registered in the commercial registry, the share capital amounts to TL 43.888.556,00 divided into 274.303.475 common nominal shares of nominal value TL 0,16 per share.

WYLDES LTD:

Under the ordinary resolution of 21/2/2018 of the Board of Directors of the Company, its share capital increased by the total amount of € 53,00, by issuing 53 ordinary shares, of nominal value €1,00. The underlying price was determined at the amount of € 10.000,00 per share. It is noted that, following the total payment, by the only shareholder HOUSEMARKET S.A., of the underlying amount of the new shares, total amount of € 5.299.947,00 resulted to the increase of the share premium reserve.

Therefore the share capital of the company οn 21/2/2018 amounted to € 7.001,00 divided into 7.001 ordinary shares of nominal value € 1,00 per share, totally paid.

Moreover, under the ordinary resolution of 17/12/2018 of the Board of Directors of the Company, its share capital increased by the total amount of € 3,00, by issuing 3 ordinary shares, of nominal value €1,00. The underlying price was determined at the amount of € 10.000,00 per share. It is noted that, following the total payment, by the only shareholder HOUSEMARKET S.A. based on the minutes of BoD of the latter of 1/10/2018, of total amount of € 29.997,00 resulted to the increase of the share premium reserve.

After the aforementioned share capital increase, the share capital of the company amounts to € 7.004,00, divided in 7.004 ordinary shares, of nominal value € 1,00 per share, totally paid.

VYNER LTD:

Following the resolution of 22/2/2018 of the Board of Directors of the company, the share capital increased by the amount of € 100,00 by issuing 100 new common (ordinary) shares of nominal value €1,00 and share premium value € 99.999,00 per share. This increase, from which a total amount of € 10.000.000,00 was raised (which corresponds by the amount of € 100 to the total nominal value and by the amount of € 9.999.900 to the total premium value of the new shares), was totally covered by the shareholder SEASONAL MARITIME CORPORATION LIMITED.

Also, on 26/2/2018 the shareholder WYLDES LTD acquired, through purchase from the shareholder SEASONAL MARITIME CORPORATION LIMITED 50 common (ordinary) shares, of nominal value € 1,00 per share against a total amount of € 5.000.000,00 (which corresponds by the amount of € 50 to the total nominal value and by the amount of € 4.999.950 to the total premium value of shares transferred).

It is noted that the purpose of the share capital increase of VYNER LTD mentioned above, which was decided by the BoD of the company on 22/2/2018, was to raise funds for the shareholding of VYNER LTD, through its subsidiary, by increasing the share capital of the company SOFIA SOUTH RING MALL EAD in order to raise funds for the reduction of loans of the latter.

Following the resolution of 17/12/2018 of the Board of Directors of the company, the share capital increased by the amount of € 2,00 by issuing 2 new common (ordinary) shares of nominal value €1,00 and share premium value € 9.999,00 per share. This increase, from which a total amount of € 20.000,00 was raised (which corresponds by the amount of € 2 to the total nominal value any by the amount of € 19.998 to the total premium value of the new shares), was made with capitalization of amount € 20.000, which were paid on 15/3/2018 the shareholders WYLDES LTD and SEASONAL MARITIME CORPORATION LIMITED by half, following the BoD resolution of VYNER LTD of 13/3/2018 according to which these shareholders were allowed to proceed to the payment of the aforementioned amount against future share capital increase.

Thence, the shareholding of WYLDES LTD and VYNER LTD was formed at the percentage of 50% (except one share) of the total paid share capital of VYNER LTD (namely 5.087 shares against a total of 10.176 shares).

SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPISES LΙΜΙΤΕD:

The G.A. of shareholders of SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPISES LΙΜΙΤΕD, held on 10/1/2018, decided to allow to shareholders WYLDES LTD and SEASONAL MARITIME CORPORATION LIMITED to proceed to payments, towards SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPISES LΙΜΙΤΕD, of amount € 15.000 each one of them, against future share capital increase of SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPISES LΙΜΙΤΕD.

On 16/1/2018 and 10/10/2018 the shareholder WYLDES LTD proceeded to the payment of € 15.000 and € 100.000 respectively to SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPISES LΙΜΙΤΕD, against its shareholding in future share capital increase of SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPISES LΙΜΙΤΕD.

In compliance with BoD resolution of 10/12/2018 of SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPISES LΙΜΙΤΕD, its share

capital increased by the amount of € 230,00, by issuing 230 new common (ordinary) shares of nominal value € 1,00 and share premium value € 999,00 per share. This increase, from which totally € 230.000,00 funds were raised (which corresponds by the amount of € 230 to the total nominal value and by the amount of € 229.770,00 to the total share premium value of new shares), was covered by the shareholders WYLDES LTD and SEASONAL MARITIME CORPORATION LIMITED by half.

Following these, the shareholding of WYLDES LTD to VYNER LTD amounts to 50% of the total paid share capital of SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPISES LΙΜΙΤΕD (namely 4.115 shares against to a total of 8.230 shares).

Apart from the above, no other changes in the share capital of the companies of the Group were made within the year 2018.

The parent company FOURLIS HOLDINGS S.A. does not have any branches.

The subsidiaries and especially the retail trading companies have developed and continue to develop a significant chain of stores in Greece and abroad.

Retail Trading of Home Furniture and Household Goods (IKEA stores): The segment currently operates seven (7) IKEA Stores, five (5) of which in Greece, one (1) in Cyprus and one (1) in Bulgaria. Moreover, five (5) Pick up & Order Points with IKEA products are operating in Greece in Rhodes Island, Patras, Chania, Heraklion and Komotini and three (3) in Bulgaria in Varna, Burgas and Plovdiv which started operating on 5/12/2018. Also, three (3) e-commerce stores are operating in Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria. On 20/3/2018 a new IKEA Pop UP store started operating in Piraeus with limited duration and terminated its operation on 1/12/2018.

Retail trading of sporting goods (INTERSPORT and TAF stores): The segment currently operates one hundred and seventeen (117) INTERSPORT Stores [fifty (50) in Greece, thirty (30) in Romania, eight (8) in Bulgaria, five (5) in Cyprus and twenty four (24) in Turkey]. INTERSPORT Stores that were added to the network within the period 1/1 – 31/12/2018 are: one (1) new store in Turnkey, Istanbul (20/4/2018) while, on 1/1/2018 a Store in the same city terminated its operation, one (1) new store in Cyprus, Nicosia (21/11/2018), one (1) new Store in Bulgaria, Plovdiv (22/11/2018) and one (1) new Store in Romania, Satu Mare (5/12/2018). Moreover, in Greece, Romania and Cyprus ecommerce Stores are operating. TAF Stores operating on 31/12/2018 are fourteen (14), twelve (12) of which in Greece and two (2) in Turkey.

5. Stock Price Evolution

Below is a chart providing a comparison between FOURLIS HOLDINGS S.A. share price and Athens Stock Exchange General Index (red line) for the period 1/1/2018 to 31/12/2018.

6. Stock Option Plan

The Ordinary General Assembly of the Company on 16/6/2017, under the context of Stock Option Plan, approved the disposal of 2.566.520 stock options and authorized the Board of Directors to regulate the procedural issues and details. The program will be implemented in four waves, with a maturity period of five years per wave. Options must be exercised within five years since their maturity date. In case that there are undisposed options, after the allocation of options mentioned above, these options will be cancelled. The underlying share price of each wave is the closing stock price of the share at the decision date of the General Assembly regarding the approval of the SOP.

On 20/11/2017, the BoD granted 641.630 stock options, which compose the first of the four waves. The underlying share price to which the granted stock options refer, is determined to the amount of euros 5,768 per share which is the closing stock price of the share adjusted with the share capital decrease which was implemented after the date of the General Assembly.

On 19/11/2018, the BoD granted 641.630 stock options, which compose the second of the four waves. The underlying share price to which the granted stock options refer, is determined to the amount of euros 5,666 per share which is the closing stock price of the share adjusted with the share capital decrease which was implemented after the date of the General Assembly.

On 20/11/2018, the BoD of the Company issued an Invitation to the beneficiaries of the SOP which

was approved by the Extraordinary General Assembly held on 27/9/2013 and the Ordinary General Assembly held on 16/6/2017 regarding the exercise of their options. 16 beneficiaries responded to this Invitation and exercised their option for the purchase of 163.626 shares, of nominal value € 0,91 and underlying price € 3,28 per share and paid the total amount of € 537.069,61.

It is noted that the underlying price of shares to which the distributed options reflect, had been initially determined at the amount of € 3,40 per share, which was the closing stock price of the share on the date of the resolution of the General Assembly regarding the SOP since 27/9/2013 (Extraordinary General Assembly date). Due to corporate events (capital return by cash payment), the historical closing price of the share was readjusted and formed at the amount of € 3,34 per share (following the BoD resolution of 20/11/2017). Following the resolution of Ordinary General Assembly of 15/6/2018, there was a change in the historical share price resulting from corporate action relevant with the share capital decrease of the Company with reduction of the nominal value of the share by the amount of € 0,10 and the capital return to shareholders. Therefore, after the aforementioned adjustment, the historical share price is now amounting to € 3,28.

Also, the underlying share price, which was established by resolution of the Ordinary General Assembly of shareholders of the Company held on 16/6/2017, to which the distributed options reflect, had been initially determined at the amount of € 5,87 per share, which was the closing stock price. Due to corporate events (capital return by cash payment), the historical closing price of the share was readjusted and formed at the amount of € 5,77 per share (following the BoD resolution of 20/11/2017). Following the resolution of Ordinary General Assembly of 15/6/2018, there was a change in the historical share price resulting from corporate action relevant with the share capital decrease of the Company with reduction of the nominal value of the share by the amount of € 0,10 and the capital return to shareholders. Therefore, after the aforementioned adjustment, the historical share price is now amounting to € 5,67.

On 26/1/2018, a) the share capital increase of the Company by the amount of € 303.879,66 through cash payment and the issue of 313.278 new shares of nominal values € 0,97 and underlying price € 3,34 each and b) the certification of the payment of the aforementioned share capital increase by the total amount of € 303.879,66, were registered in the GECR. The Corporate Actions Committee of Hellenic Exchanges - Athens Stock Exchange, on their meeting held on 30/1/2018 approved the trading of the 313.278 new common nominal shares of the Company. According to the decision of the Company, the new shares started trading in ATHEX on 1/2/2018.

On 22/1/2019, a) the share capital increase of the Company by the amount of € 148.899,66 through cash payment and the issue of 163.626 new shares of nominal values € 0,91 and underlying price € 3,28 each (Code Registration Number 1638212) and b) the certification of the payment of the aforementioned share capital increase by the total amount of € 148.899,66 and share premium by the amount of € 388.169,95 (Code Registration Number 163269), were registered in the GECR.

During period 1/1 – 31/12/2018, beneficiaries waived their right to exercise 0 options (2017: 11.580) which were granted by the BoD on 25/11/2013, beneficiaries waived their right to exercise 6.220

options (2017: 13.626) which were granted by the BoD on 24/11/2014 and also beneficiaries waived their right to exercise 6.720 options (2017: 26.097) which were granted by the BoD on 25/11/2015.

7. Information about Group's plan of development

Growth rate of Greek economy increased in 2018 compared to 2017 (increase estimation above 2%) and GDP increased by 2,7% during the last 9month period mainly due to the increase of exports and private consumption. The economic environment rate of I.O.B.E. (Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research) for 2018 was 100,9 and the relevant consumer confidence rate is systematically growing for seven consecutive months (until January 2019).

With the expectation that the year 2019 in Greece, the prospects of economy will improve even more provided that:

  • economic growth continues,
  • adjustment program and invigoration of banks' liquidity are completed,
  • the climate of confidence is improved and most restrictions in capital movements are removed,
  • the ability of banking system to dispose capitals for new investments is improved,
  • employment is increased and unemployment rate is decreased,
  • high taxation of natural persons and legal entities is reduced,
  • cumulative debt of households and companies is reduced,

the Management of the Group aims to:

  • a) further increase its profitability,
  • b) continue strictly chosen investments in both retail segments of activity,
  • c) further gain benefits from synergies and scale economies that have been achieved within the Group with the completion of new investment of mechanical equipment for the automation of warehouse and distribution services supply of e-commerce products towards all companies of sporting goods segment of the Group by the company TRADE LOGISTICS SA,
  • d) exploit new investment opportunities and under this context received approval from HCMC for the granting of license for the company under formation "TRADE ESTATES REAL ESTATES INVESTMENT COMPANY" for its operation as a) a Real Estate Investment Company according to the provisions of L. 2778/1999 and b) an internally managed Alternative Investments Fund Manager ("AIFM") according to the provisions of L. 4209/2013,
  • e) maintain the balance of the income source of the Group between domestic and foreign companies for the rational allocation of risk at the different countries of activity.

Taking into consideration all the aforementioned, the Management will proceed to the implementation of its business plan with selective investments in Greece and foreign countries where the Group operates, as follows:

In the retail trading of sporting goods segment, with a network at the end of the year 2018 of one hundred and seventeen (117) stores in Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Turkey as well as three (3) e-commerce Stores in Greece, Cyprus and Romania, within the year 2019 six (6) new INTERSPORT

Stores are expected to be added to the existing network and the e-commerce stores in Bulgaria and Turkey are expected to start operating. Moreover, three (3) new Stores one (1) new e-commerce Store in Greece is expected to be added to the fourteen (14) already operating TAF stores. At the end of 2019, retail trading of sporting goods segment is expected to have a network of one hundred and twenty-three (123) INTERSPORT Stores and seventeen (17) TAF Stores as well as e-commerce INTERSPORT Stores in Greece, Romania, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Turkey will be fully operating.

The home furniture and household goods segment, which operates seven (7) IKEA Stores, eight (8) Pick up & Order Points and three (3) e-commerce Stores Greece, Bulgaria and Cyprus, will add to its network two (2) new Pick up & Order Points one (1) in Greece and one (1) in Cyprus.

Education and training of human capital, the constant and fair evaluation in all levels as well as dedication to the values of the Group - "Integrity", "Respect" and "Efficiency" – continue to compose major comparative advantages through which the Group aims to achieve its goals.

8. Fourlis Group – Major Threats & Uncertainties

a) Financial Risk Management

The Group is exposed to financial risks such as foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk and liquidity risk. The management of risk is achieved by the central Treasury department, which operates under specific guidelines set by the Board of Directors. The Treasury department identifies, determines and hedges the financial risks in cooperation with the Groups' subsidiaries. The Board of Directors provides written instructions and directions for the general management of the risk, as well as specific instructions for the management of specific risks such as foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk.

Foreign Exchange Risk:

The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from transactions in foreign currencies (RON, USD, TRY, SEK) with suppliers which invoice the Group in currencies other than the local. The Group, in order to minimize the foreign exchange risk, according to the needs, in certain cases pre purchases foreign currencies.

Interest rate risk/liquidity:

The Group is subject to cash flow risk which in the case of possible variable interest rates fluctuation, may affect positively or negatively the cash inflows or outflows related to the Group's assets or liabilities.

Cash flow risk is minimized via the availability of adequate credit lines and cash. Also, the Group has entered into Interest Rate Swap (IRS) contracts in order to face interest rate risk.

b) Legal Issues

There are no litigations or legal issues that might have a material impact on the Company and the Group's Annual Financial Statements for the period 1/1 - 31/12/2018.

9. Alternative Performance Measures (APMs)

Under the implementation of ESMA Guidelines (05/10/2015|ESMA/2015/1415), FOURLIS Group adopted as Alternative Performance Measure (APM) the earnings before taxes, interest and depreciation & amortization (EBITDA). Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) are used under the context of making decisions for financial, operational and strategic planning as well as for the assessment and publication of performance. Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) are taken into account combined with financial results which have been conducted according to IFRS and under no circumstances they do not replace them.

Definition EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes and Depreciation & Amortization)/ Operating results before taxes, financing, investing results and total depreciation= Earnings before tax +/- Financial and investing results (Total financial expenses + Total financial income + Contribution in subsidiaries losses) + Total depreciation / amortization (property, plant and equipment and intangible assets).

The amount most directly connected to this specific APM (EBITDA) is operating profits (EBIT) and depreciation/amortization. Operating profits are included in Income Statement and depreciation/amortization in Cash Flow Statement. More analytically, reconciliation of the selected APM and the financial statements of the Group for the corresponding period is as follows:

(amounts in thousands euros)

Group Consolidated Results
1/1-31/12/2018 1/1-31/12/2017
Operating Profit 30.212 27.892
Depreciation/Amortization 14.057 13.945
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation &
amortization (EBITDA)
44.269 41.837
Retail trading of home furniture and household
goods segment (ΙΚΕΑ Stores)
1/1-31/12/2018
1/1-31/12/2017
Operating Profit 22.974 22.216
Depreciation/Amortization 9.160 8.765
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation &
amortization (EBITDA) 32.134 30.981
Retail trading of sporting goods segment
(INTERSPORT and TAF Stores)
1/1-31/12/2018 1/1-31/12/2017
Operating Profit 8.470 6.892
Depreciation/Amortization 5.064 4.974
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation &
amortization (EBITDA) 13.534 11.866

10. Social Responsibility

The content of this non-financial statement has been drafted by taking into consideration the requirements of the GRI Standards (2016 edition). Within this framework, the Group conducts an annual materiality analysis of the sustainable development topics related to its activities, in order to prioritize the topics with the most significant economic, social and environmental impacts and those that significantly influence its stakeholders.

The Group defines as stakeholders anyone affecting or being affected by its operations. Having identified and prioritized its stakeholders, the Group invests in the continuous and two-way contact and communication with them, aiming to maintain a steady flow of information, to and from the Group, regarding their demands, concerns and expectations. The main stakeholder groups of the Group are: employees, shareholders, customers, suppliers/business partners, wider society, local communities, official and supervisory authorities/state, business community/associations, media, NGOs and peer companies.

Additional information regarding the results of the materiality analysis, will be available in the FOURLIS Group's annual Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Report for 2018, which will be published in June 2019 and uploaded to www.fourlis.gr.

a) Brief description of business model

At the present time, the Group, (headquarters located at 18-20 Sorou Street, Building A, 15125 Maroussi), is one of the largest trading groups of consumer goods in Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, in the following business activity fields:

  • Retail trading of home furniture and household goods through the IKEA stores in Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria.
  • Retail trading of sporting goods through the INTERSPORT stores in Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey and The Athlete's Foot stores in Greece and Turkey.

The aforementioned activities are complemented by online stores (e-commerce), while, in the context of exploiting synergies between the Group companies, the storage and distribution services for both

sectors and for all countries are provided by TRADE LOGISTICS S.A., a Group's subsidiary. Finally, the Group's parent company's (FOURLIS HOLDINGS S.A.) activity is the investment, in domestic and foreign companies of all types, regardless of their objectives and corporate form.

More information regarding the business environment, strategy, objectives and main progress and factors that could influence the Group's development, are available in the following chapters of the Group's Board of Directors' Report:

    1. Operating performance-Important developments
    1. Information about the Group's plan of development
    1. Major threats and uncertainties

as well as in the following chapter.

b) Principal non-financial risks

In the context of our approach to corporate responsibility and our contribution to sustainable development, we consistently identify and prioritize the topics that are linked to our activities and may cause negative impacts to our stakeholders, to the communities in the countries where we operate, as well as to the natural environment.

Taking into consideration the above, we monitor the impacts of our activities in relation to:

  • The health and safety of employees, customers, business partners and visitors at our facilities, a topic that we manage through an integrated Health & Safety Policy.
  • The customers' health and safety while using our products, a topic that we manage through strict compliance with the specifications set by manufacturers, suppliers and European and/or national legislation, as well as through our product labeling.
  • The responsible marketing and promotion of our products, a topic that we manage by applying international communication codes and by taking into consideration local needs.
  • The protection of personal data for all who enter into a transaction with us, which we manage in accordance with the applicable legislation and our compliance with the Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016.
  • The Human Resources management concerning employment, equal opportunities, training and education and health & safety, topics that we manage by applying relevant policies and procedures.
  • The respect for Human Rights in the Group's workplace by implementing relevant policies and procedures, with a perspective to expand them to our supply chain.
  • The prevention of corruption, bribery and fraud, via procedures and policies we apply.
  • The environmental impacts of our activities, a topic that we manage via the implementation of programs for natural resources conservation and materials recycling, measures that aim to reduce air emissions and raise awareness for both our employees and the general public, regarding environmental protection topics and the adoption of a responsible lifestyle.

The way we manage these topics, is presented in more detail in the following sections.

c) Social matters

Health & safety of customers, business partners and visitors at our facilities

Corporate policies and due diligence

The Group, in compliance with the applicable legislation, implements a Health & Safety Policy that is applicable to all its subsidiaries and to all countries where it operates. It includes a wide range of relevant procedures, measures and initiatives related to the safe stay of visitors, customers and business partners at its facilities. Any variations in the Group's relevant procedures by country or region, depend on the size of the facilities, as well as on the applicable legislation in the countries where the Group's companies operate.

In this context, some of the practices we apply at the Group are the following:

  • Cooperation with an external service provider on accident protection and prevention
  • Written occupational risk assessment, according to existing methodology and legislation
  • Measures taken for reducing "emergency pick" incidents, in order to prevent accidents at the ΙΚΕΑ stores
  • Training of First Aid Teams
  • Training of Fire Safety and Firefighting Teams
  • Infirmaries equipped with medical beds and automatic external defibrillators in all the IKEA stores
  • Provision of wheel chairs at the entrance of all the IKEA stores, as well as of accessible lavatories and parking spaces, aiming to provide safe accommodation and transportation for people with disabilities
  • Certification according to ISO 22000 for the safety of the food served at the IKEA restaurants

We regularly train employees, in order to respond to emergency incidents that can affect both their own and visitors' safety at our facilities. Also, in an effort to ensure compliance with the Health & Safety Policy, regular inspections are conducted by safety technicians, in all Group activities.

Outcome of these policies and non-financial key performance indicators

In the context of our policy, all Health and Safety incidents occurring within the Group's premises and stores are reported, while a Safety Report is compiled for each store, as well as a consolidated one for all of them. The report includes information not only on the number and type of incidents, but also on the way they are addressed. Through these reports we are able to receive useful information on our policies effectiveness and to improve our practices, where needed.

In 2018, the implementation of our policies on Health & Safety topics had significant outcomes. We indicatively mention that:

No accidents occurred in the playgrounds of the ΙΚΕΑ stores

[GRI 416-2]: There were no incidents of non-compliance with legislation concerning Health & Safety topics

Product compliance and labeling and responsible product marketing and promotion

I. Product compliance and labeling

Corporate policies and due diligence

The Group manages this topic through the compliance of the products sold by its companies in all the countries where it operates, with manufacturer and supplier specifications, with European and/or national legislation, as well as with all existing laws and regulations concerning their labeling and use (e.g. CE approval).

IKEA:

ΙΚΕΑ products have special labeling and indications aiming to provide information and advice to customers regarding the products' manufacturing details, the cases where a product must be used only by adults, size, etc. It is also worth mentioning that at IKEA, a perennial product guarantee is offered, which in some cases reaches 25 years; IKEA also adheres to and applies a product withdrawal policy. If necessary, and depending on the importance of the incident, the withdrawal case is publicly disclosed.

INTERSPORT & The Athlete's Foot:

Respectively, the Commercial Department of INTERSPORT and The Athlete's Foot, which is responsible for product compliance, oversees adherence to market regulations, as well as the European Union CE labeling. The products hold special labeling and indications, in order to provide information and advice to consumers regarding their use, as well as information concerning the manufacturing of the products, etc. Both INTERSPORT's and The Athlete's Foot's policies focus on the inclusion of terms in their contracts with suppliers, which stipulate the compliance with all applicable regulations and laws, regarding products that the company buys from them. In cases of defective products, the company immediately proceeds to their withdrawal and repair and initiates all the necessary procedures in order to inform all the pertinent institutions, such as the Ministry of Commerce, consumers' associations and consumers in general, via a specific press release.

II. Responsible product marketing and promotion

Corporate policies and due diligence

For the advertising and promotion of the Group's IKEA products, the company follows in all countries where it operates, the communication code applied by IKEA worldwide, as well as all conduct, marketing and communication codes and the market regulations that has to comply with, while also taking into consideration local needs. Regarding the promotion of our products, the company's policy is adapted to local consumer needs and specificities. For this reason, the setup of the IKEA stores varies according to their location, in order to meet local community's standards and preferences.

Respectively, INTERSPORT's marketing and communication strategy is set in accordance with its vision, which is to bring Sports to the people, whereas The Athlete's Foot's strategy is set according to its own vision, which is to bring style to sports, while also having as a principle the consumers' needs and particularities. Both companies' marketing strategies focus on two areas: Corporate communication and product promotion. The product communication and promotion methods chosen by the companies include various mass media such as tv, radio broadcasting and online advertising, while they respect all codes of conduct, marketing and communication, including market regulations that they are obliged to adhere to, in all the countries where the company operates.

Outcome of these policies and non-financial key performance indicators

[GRI 417-2]: In 2018 there were no incidents of non-compliance concerning product and service information and labeling.

[GRI 417-3]: In 2018 there were no cases of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes regarding marketing communication, including advertising, promotion and sponsorships.

Personal data protection

The Group adheres not only to the European Legislation, but also to the local legislations of the countries where it operates, regarding personal data protection of the parties who transact with the Group. Respecting privacy is a core element of both the Code of Conduct and the Internal Labor Regulation.

Corporate policies and due diligence

At the Group, we value the trust of all those who enter into a transaction with us and we have designed and implement a personal data and sensitive personal data protection policy for all natural persons (visitors, business partners, customers, suppliers, current and former employees). We make sure to protect with due diligence, all personal information we collect for business needs, after obtaining legal consent, and to safeguard the rights of natural persons, in accordance with the existing legislation and Data Protection Authority guidelines (GDPR), in all countries where the Group companies operate.

It is worth mentioning that all the Group employees in all counties where it operates, have received training in GRDP issues, either via classroom seminars or via e-learning. GDPR training is also part of the induction program for new employees.

Outcomes of these policies and non-financial key performance indicators

[GRI 418-1]: In 2018, the implemented policies and procedures regarding the protection of personal data resulted in zero reports, complaints or grievances, from a natural person entering into a transaction with our Group, related with a breach of personal rights, freedoms or privacy, while no related grievances were communicated to us from competent authorities.

Society and local communities support

Corporate policies and due diligence

At the Group we work daily for the realization of our common commitment and vision: the establishment of the preconditions for a better life for all. In this context, we seek to be in constant connection with the citizens and the wider society in the countries where we operate, aiming to be informed about their needs, to understand and satisfy them, within our capabilities.

Outcomes of these policies and non-financial key performance indicators

[GRI 413-1]: The following are some of the most significant programs and actions implemented during 2018 to support society. Additional information will be included in the Group's annual Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Report, which will be published in June 2019 and will be uploaded to www.fourlis.gr.

  • "Furnished with Joy" program, through which IKEA fully refurbished 12 municipal nurseries and kindergartens, in cooperation with the Municipal Authorities, for more than 650 children, in various areas all over Greece, as well as 4 public kindergartens in Cyprus.
  • Collaboration of IKEA with the non-profit organization "Make a Wish", for donating equipment in order to fulfill the wishes of the children supported by the organization.
  • Meals donation to foundations and organizations in Greece from the IKEA stores' restaurants, in collaboration with the non-profit organization "BOROUME" (WE CAN), as well as to organizations in Cyprus from the local IKEA store's restaurant.
  • "We Reach the Edges" program, through which INTERSPORT offered free sports equipment to 25 remote Public Elementary Schools in the prefectures of Ioannina and Grevena in Greece, for more than 4,000 students.
  • Collaboration with the organization "GIVMED" for medicines donation, by the Group employees in Attica, to vulnerable social groups.
  • Support of the DIAZOMA Association, the Non-Profit Association OPHELTES-THE FRIEND OF NEMEA, the Society for the revival of Nemean Games and of the ELLINIKI ETAIRIA Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage, via FOURLIS HOLDINGS S.A.
  • Support of children, through a series of actions which IKEA Bulgaria implements in cooperation with UNICEF. Through this cooperation, in 2018, IKEA Bulgaria continued the program for the full refurbishment of kindergartens that are ideal for children activities from vulnerable social groups, by refurbishing 4 more kindergartens.
  • Voluntary blood donation which was held twice during 2018, at the Group companies' premises in Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria.
  • Donation of food and other essential supplies, by FOURLIS Group employees, to various foundations and organizations in Greece, Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria.

d) Work related matters

Employment

Corporate policies and due diligence

The FOURLIS Group is its People, all those who support its operations on a daily basis. Our approach to employment and our relationships with our employees directly affect their performance, retention and development, while these issues are also significant for our Group's long term sustainability. Our Policy's main pillars, in relation to recruitment and professional development of our Human Resources, are:

  • Common recruitment evaluation criteria for all the Group's companies, to ensure equal opportunities and to fight discrimination.
  • Provision of equal development opportunities, through internal transfer and promotion processes to all Group employees.
  • Taking into consideration the balance when it comes to gender, nationality, religion, political or other opinions, as well as disability, sexual orientation, etc. during the selection and development processes of our employees, as well as in the compensation and benefits policies.

When in any of our companies there are job openings, those are readily covered either via internal transfer/promotion of employees (through the Open Resourcing Policy), or via a direct transfer/promotion of an employee (for Executives), or via a new recruitment.

It is also worth mentioning, that in the Group companies, and in all the countries where the Group operates, people from a total of 36 ethnicities are employed.

Outcome of these policies and non-financial key performance indicators

On 31/12/2018, the Group's total number of employees was 4,038.

The Group: Total workforce by region and gender

2018
Region Men Women
Greece 1,133 1,332
Cyprus 178 173
Romania 230 240
Bulgaria 211 280
Turkey 165 96
Total 1,917 2,121
2018
53% women in Group's total workforce
35% women in manager/supervisor positions of Group
22% women in the Board of Directors of Group

Employee training and education

Corporate policies and due diligence

At the Group we believe that the employees' need for training is continuous and ever increasing, as the competition and the current market demands are constantly generating new training and educational needs. For this reason, the training of each Group employee begins upon his/her recruitment.

Outcome of these policies and non-financial key performance indicators

The first training program for every Group employee is an induction program, through which we make sure that all the newly hired employees are informed about the Group's Structure, Values, Code of Conduct and Internal Regulation Charter of each company.

In addition, in 2011 the "Learning Academy" was established in which all of the Group employees are members, participating in programs depending on their role and their needs for personal development.

In the context of the Academy, the Retail MBA program was launched in 2016. The program was designed and created in 2015 with the main objective to provide high level knowledge from University Professors and Senior Executives of both the Market and Group, in a range of fields mainly focusing on Retail Management.

Employees from all the Group companies and from all countries where it operates, participate in the program.

It is also worth mentioning that since 2008 we have adopted an annual single Performance Appraisal and Development Review process for all Group employees, in order to ensure that the evaluation process is and will remain transparent.

[GRI 404-3]: The performance Appraisal and Development Review, which includes both the assessment of the agreed measurable objectives and the employees' skills and behavior, is conducted once a year for all employees in all of the Group companies.

Average hours of training for the Group employees in 2018:

Average training hours per employee

12.3

Employee health, safety and wellbeing at work

Corporate policies and due diligence

Given that the creation of a safe and healthy work environment is a fundamental principle for our Group, as it is also depicted in our Values, not only we follow the clauses of the relevant labor legislation in all the countries where we operate, but we also assess potential risks we may face and thus, we take the necessary measures in order to prevent potential accidents.

An important priority for us is to safeguard compliance with the Health & Safety Policy by carrying out intensive inspections led by safety technicians in all the Group companies' facilities, and by having the safety technician conduct an occupational risk assessment study. At the Group, as a minimum prerequisite, we comply with the requirements of the local legislative frameworks and the "ILO Code of Practice on Recording and Notification of Occupational Accidents and Diseases". We also invest in the constant and regular training of all our employees, so that they can respond to emergencies affecting their own safety but also our clients, visitors and business partners' in our stores. Especially at the IKEA stores we have created internal Safety, Fire Protection and First Aid teams, while at the INTERSPORT and The Athlete's Foot stores, specific employees have been trained to be able to manage with relevant issues.

In addition, aiming to inform employees on health and wellbeing issues and to encourage them to adopt a healthier lifestyle, in 2010 the Group's Social Responsibility Department launched the EF ZIN (WELLBEING) program. In the context of this program, a number of actions are taking place every year, such as preventive medical examinations, informative speeches on health and wellbeing topics, sports tournaments, etc.

Outcome of these policies and non-financial key performance indicators

Health & Safety at work

In 2018, the number of work related accidents for all the Group companies remained at the same low levels as in 2017.

In addition, as a result of our overall management approach regarding Health & Safety topics in the workplace, in the latest biannual Employee Insight Survey conducted in 2018, the topic that gathered the highest satisfaction rate from our employees, was Safety.

More information and data pertaining to the results of the policies on employee Health & Safety issues, will be included in the Group's annual Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Report for 2018.

EF ZIN (WELLBEING) program

In 2018, in the context of the EF ZIN program, some indicative activities that took place were a sports tournament in Greece and Cyprus and ergonomics seminars in Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania.

e) Respect for Human Rights

Corporate policies and due diligence

At Group we approach the issues of respect and protection of Human Rights in a systematic way through our policies and initiatives. This effort is comprised of:

  • Our participation to the UN Global Compact, through which we commit to uphold the respective Principles such as those relating to the respect of freedom of association, the abolishment of child and forced labor and discrimination in the workplace.
  • The Internal Labor Regulations
  • The Code of Conduct
  • The Health & Safety Policy
  • The responsible product policies of our Group's subsidiaries.

Outcome of these policies and non-financial key performance indicators

All Group employees have signed, depending on their position in the corporate hierarchy, the detailed or concise version of the Code of Conduct, (the concise version is available on the website www.fourlis.gr).

In addition, the Code of Conduct Line of the Group is available 24 hours a day and anyone may call the Line, in order to report (anonymously or not), any concerns related to Code of Conduct violations or non-compliance with the legislation. For the period 1/1-31/12/2018 three (3) anonymous reports from a Group company's employees were recorded, via the Code of Conduct's email and were communicated to the Internal Audit Department. These reports, after being evaluated by the Internal Audit Department, they were forwarded to the Group's Human Resources Department, in order to take appropriate action. These reports did not concern cases of human rights violations.

f) Anti - corruption and bribery matters

Corporate policies and due diligence

Aiming to fight corruption, bribery and fraud, the Group has established and implements:

  • Corporate Governance Code: The Company has decided, through the Board of Directors' decision in 28/2/2011, to voluntarily comply with the Greek Code of Corporate Governance for Listed Companies. The Code is adapted to the Greek legislation and business reality and constitutes a best practices standard for corporate governance. It aims at enhancing Greek companies' transparency and increase the investors' confidence both on listed companies overall, as well as in each one individually, while it broadens the horizons to attract investment capital.
  • Code of Conduct: The Code of Conduct focuses on creating a work environment that promotes respect and protection of Human Rights. Through the Code, the Group promotes and applies a policy of equal opportunities for all employees, as well as a policy that prohibits sexual harassment, in full compliance with labor legislation. Furthermore, the Group's violence prevention in the workplace policy, as it is set out in the Code, strictly prohibits acts of violence, threatening messages or behavior and the use or possession of weapons by any

person in the workplace or during any transactions with external business partners. All Group employees are obliged to adopt and implement the Code of Conduct.

  • Code of Conduct Line: The Group Code of Conduct Line is available 24 hours a day and anyone can call in order to report, anonymously or not, any concerns related to Code of Conduct violations or non-compliance with the legislation. The Code of Conduct line is accessible via mobile phone or fixed line at (+30) 0210 6293010, or through the email address: [email protected]
  • Internal Regulation Charter: The Internal Regulation of Operations of the parent company of the Group (FOURLIS HOLDINGS S.A.) is approved by the Board of Directors. It describes the organizational structure, the risk management and the internal audit system. It includes the basic principles of operation and the relevant procedures, while also describes the composition and responsibilities of the Audit Committee, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and the Internal Audit Department. Additionally, it contains the basic principles of the transaction Code for its securities and compliance with the applicable legislation.
  • Audit Committee: The Audit Committee, which is defined by the shareholders' General Meeting, has indicatively the following obligations:
  • o Monitoring the financial reporting process and credibility of financial statements
  • o Supervision of any formal announcement regarding the financial performance of the company and examination of the company's key announcements
  • o Monitoring the effectiveness of internal control and risk management systems
  • o Ensuring the independence of the internal audit and the internal audit unit
  • o Examining cases of interest conflicts
  • o Monitoring the progress of statutory audit
  • o Reviewing and monitoring issues related to the existence and maintenance of objectivity and independence of the external auditor
  • Internal Audit Department: The Group's Internal Audit Department is organized in a way that allows it to carry out an independent, confirmative and advisory role and designed to add value and improve the company's processes. The Department helps the Group achieve its objectives through assessment, which contributes to the improvement of the corporate governance, internal audit and risk management systems. The Audit Committee is the supervising body of the Internal Audit Department and it informs on a quarterly basis the Board of Directors of the parent company about the work that is being implemented.

  • Nomination and Remuneration Committee: The Nomination and Remuneration Committee is responsible for the procedure of electing Board members, selecting Senior Executives and preparing proposals for the Board of Directors regarding the remuneration (basic salary, bonuses or financial incentives and benefits) of Executive Directors and key senior executives.

  • A specific procedure for informing the Senior Management and the Internal Audit Department on any fraud or corruption incident.

Outcome of these policies and non-financial key performance indicators

All Group employees have signed, depending on their position in the corporate hierarchy, the detailed or concise version of the Code of Conduct.

While implementing the Senior Management informational procedure for addressing fraud and corruption incidents, during the period of 1/1-31/12/2018, seven (7) cases of small-scale fraud were recorded. These cases were detected by the Group companies' internal controls.

In all cases, all the necessary measures had been implemented and, where required, the policy to dismiss the responsible employees was implemented. There was no other notification or complaint relating to corruption or bribery incidents that the Group's Management is aware of.

g) Environmental matters

Corporate policies and due diligence

At the FOURLIS Group we regularly monitor the impacts of our operations and we implement a number of voluntary actions and interventions, aiming at the reduction of our environmental impacts, the protection and recycling of natural resources, as well as the employees and the general public awareness raising regarding environmental protection and the adoption of a responsible lifestyle. The annual results of the practices we implement, are communicated in the Group's annual Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Report, as well as in the Group's Communication on Progress Report, regarding the adherence to the ten Principles of the UN Global Compact.

Outcome of these policies and non-financial key performance indicators

The data we monitor at our facilities, where possible, include:

  • Energy consumption: Electricity (kWh), Heating oil (lt), Natural Gas (m3 )
  • Water consumption (lt)
  • Carbon emissions (CO2e)
  • Recycling of materials (within the Group), such as: Paper (kg), Batteries (kg), Cooking fat (lt), Lamps (kg), Aluminum (kg), Glass (kg), Plastic (kg), Metals (kg), Timber (kg).

Energy

ENERGY CONSUMPTION (IKEA GREECE*)

2018
Electricity (kWh): 18,636,923
Heating oil (lt): 70,056
Natural gas (m3
):
267,921

Additional information on electricity (kWh), heating oil (lt) and natural gas (m3 ) measurement results for 2018 will be available in the Group's 2018 Annual Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Report, which will be published in June 2019 and will be uploaded to www.fourlis.gr

CARBON EMISSIONS: Since 2012, TRADE LOGISTICS calculates its CO2 emissions for all of its operations, aiming to implement solutions for emissions reduction. The results for 2018 will be available in the Group's 2018 Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development report, which will be published in June 2019.

PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS: Since 2013, TRADE LOGISTICS has installed and operates a photovoltaic system of 1,400 MWh average annual capacity for producing electricity, on its building's roof. In 2018, the total electricity production was 1,394 MWh. In addition, during the same period, 1,274 metric tons of CO2e were not released into the atmosphere, due to the fact that the electricity from the photovoltaic park is produced from renewable energy sources.

Respectively, HOUSEMARKET S.A. is in the process of implementing the installation of electric power generation systems on its buildings' roofs, with the aim to maximize the use of installations that do not produce any form of environmental burden. In this context, in 2018, the process of installing a photovoltaic system with offsetting in IKEA Cyprus continued and is expected to be fully operational during the first months of 2019.

LAMPS REPLACEMENT PROGRAM: In 2018, the three-year program (2016-2018) for the replacement of high-consumption lamps with LED bulbs in commercial and non-commercial areas of IKEA stores in Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria was completed, while INTERSPORT and The Athlete's Foot continued their own relevant program in their stores.

Materials

2018
Paper (kg): 1,106,978
Batteries (kg): 6,896
Cooking fat (lt): 16,874
Lamps (kg): 1,810
Aluminum (kg): 2,600
Glass (kg): 0

Recycling of materials (IKEA Greece)

Plastic (kg): 47,670
Metals (kg): 38,502
Timber (kg): 35,460

Additional data for materials recycling in Group, will be available in the FOURLIS Group's 2018 Annual Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Report, which will be published in June 2019 and will be uploaded to www.fourlis.gr

It is worth mentioning that since September 2016, HOUSEMARKET Greece has proceeded with the implementation of a system of electronic archiving of invoices and credit copies, with significant papersaving benefits. It is worth mentioning, that via this practice, it is estimated that, in 2018, a total of 757,660 A4 pages were not used for printing in stores, the e-shop and the IKEA Pick Up and Order Points.

A similar practice is implemented at INTERSPORT Greece, and since November 2017 the sales voucher copies are electronically archived, an intervention which in 2018 resulted the avoidance of printing 2,575,159 voucher copies.

In addition, in 2018, INTERSPORT Greece replaced cardboard boxes with boxes made out of reusable plastic for the transportation of its products from its central warehouse (TRADE LOGISTICS) to its stores in Attica and Thessaloniki. Through this initiative, it is estimated that almost 120,000 cardboard boxes were not used.

Water

Water consumption (IKEA Greece*)

2018
ΙΚΕΑ excluding Attica** (lt): 22,523,000
ΙΚΕΑ Attica (lt): 31,160,000

* The results for the IKEA Pick Up and Order Point in Chania cover the period 12/10/2017 - 11/10/18. In addition, the results for the Pick Up and Order Points in Patra and Rhodes are estimates; the precise results will be published next year.

** The IKEA Pick Up and Order Point in Heraklion is excluded.

Additional data on water consumption in the Group's premises, will be available in the Group's 2018 Annual Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Report, which will be published in June 2019 and will be uploaded to www.fourlis.gr

Eco-friendly products

IKEA offers eco-friendly products, such as:

  • The MÄSTERBY step stool made of 100% recycled plastic.
  • The MARIUS stool made out of 40% recycled steel.
  • The BJÖRNÅN bathroom curtain which is made of 100% recycled polyester originating from plastic PET bottles.

  • The IKEA mirrors which are 100% lead-free.

  • JOFRID curtains, throws and cover pads that get their deep color from natural dyes found on plant leaves from agricultural crops, which would otherwise be left untapped. The dyeing process with natural dyes requires less water, energy and chemicals than the conventional methods.
  • The rechargeable LADDA battery that is already charged and can be recharged up to 1,500 times.
  • LED bulbs and lamps with embedded LED bulbs.
  • The salmon served in the IKEA Restaurant and sold by the Swedish IKEA food market, which is farmed from responsible aquaculture certified according to the ASC standard.
  • Seafood served in the IKEA Restaurant and sold in the Swedish IKEA food market, which is caught from sustainable fisheries certified according to the MSC standard.
  • IKEA chocolate and coffee which are UTZ certified. This means that both the cocoa and the coffee are sourced from sustainable farms that create better opportunities for the producers and their families.
  • Flat packaging that reduces pollutant emissions from transport from factory to store and from store to home - and reduces transport costs.

h) Supply chain matters

The main supply chain services provider for Group is TRADE LOGISTICS. TRADE LOGISTICS (TRADE LOGISTICS S.A.) started its operations in March 2008, with headquarters in Schimatari, Viotia, and according to its Articles of Association, it has as a corporate purpose of providing supply chain services, like the receipt, storage and transport of goods, the creation of promotional and other packaging, the supply of business units and the management of all relevant information. More specifically, its activities are:

    1. Storage and distribution services for the below stores:
  • ΙΚΕΑ in Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria
  • INTERSPORT in Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey (central warehouse)
  • The Athlete's Foot in Greece and Turkey
    1. Delivery of e-commerce orders straight to the customers in Greece for:
  • IKEA's e-shop (www.ikea.gr) and
  • INTERSPORT's e-shop (www.intersport.gr)

The company, with its specialized and experienced personnel, the use of technology and the adoption of innovative methods in the Logistics field, aims at the proper functioning of all storage and delivery procedures, as well as the development of its activities.

With regards to our suppliers, we are in the process of examining various measures and solutions for assessing their social and environmental performance.

11. Related parties transactions

As Related parties are considered the Company, the subsidiary companies, the associate companies and joint ventures, the Management and the first line managers and their connected individuals and legal entities (IAS 24). The major transactions, which were eliminated for the purposes of consolidation of financial statements between Group companies, are mainly selling goods among companies in the same segment and logistics services - supply, maintenance - repairs and management fee.

Detailed information on the related parties' receivables/ payables for the Group and the Company for the period 31/12/2018 and 31/12/2017 is analyzed as follows (all amounts in th. euros):

Group Company
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Receivables
from:
HOUSE MARKET SA 0 0 5.250 5.248
H.M. HOUSE MARKET
(CYPRUS) LTD
0 0 17 14
INTERSPORT SA 0 0 851 631
INTERSPORT (CYPRUS) LTD 0 0 5 3
RENTIS SA 0 0 2 2
GENCO TRADE SRL 0 0 156 25
GENCO BULGARIA 0 0 12 10
HOUSE MARKET BULGARIA AD 0 0 43 111
INTERSPORT ATLETIK 0 0 504 323
TRADE LOGISTICS SA 0 0 23 21
SPEEDEX SA 0 0 0 0
VYNER 140 0 0 0
TRADE STATUS SA 119 132 118 132
SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPRISES
LTD
96 0 0 0
TOTAL 355 132 6.980 6.520
Payables to: HOUSE MARKET SA 0 0 0 0
TRADE LOGISTICS SA 0 0 1 1
SPEEDEX SA 0 181 0 1
TRADE STATUS SA 1 1 0 0
SOFIA SOUTH RING MALL AED 3 4 0 0
MANAGEMENT MEMBERS 38 24 38 24
TOTAL 42 210 38 26

Third Parties transactions for the period 1/1 to 31/12/2018 and for the period 1/1 to 31/12/2017 are analyzed as follows:

Group Company
1/1 - 1/1 - 1/1 - 1/1 -
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Revenue 95 107 4.288 4.114
Other operating income 0 20 1.080 784
Dividends 0 0 5.000 5.000
Total 95 128 10.368 9.898
Group Company
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
Administrative expenses 241 265 12 13
Distribution expenses 0 476 0 (0)
Total 241 742 12 13

During the years 2018 and 2017 the following transactions have been executed among the companies of the Group:

Group Company
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
Revenue 41.308 36.958 4.193 4.019
Cost of sales 29.146 25.956 0 0
Other income 2.245 1.925 1.080 765
Administrative expenses 9.072 8.585 11 7
Distribution expenses 5.293 4.356 0 0
Other operating expenses 43 2 0 0
Dividends 8.000 8.000 5.000 5.000
Group Company
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Trade receivables 14.586 14.125 6.861 6.388
Inventory 281 281 (0) (0)
Creditors 14.586 14.125 1 1

12. Human Recourses of the Group

The total number of employees of the Group as at 31, December 2018 and 31, December 2017 was 4.038 and 3.897 respectively. The total number of employees of the Company for the same reporting periods set above was at 95 and 90 respectively.

13. Management members' transactions and remuneration

During periods 1/1 – 31/12/2018 and 1/1 – 31/12/2017, transactions and fees with the management members were as follows:

Group Company
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
Transactions and fees of management
members
2.515 2.452 568 546

14. Treasury shares

On 31/12/2018, the Company does not hold any treasury shares. It is noted that, following the resolution of the ordinary General Assembly of the shareholders on 17/6/2016, a treasury shares purchase program had been established until the number of 2.549.616 shares (5% of the paid share capital) which expired on 17/6/2018, namely 24 months from the approval produced by the General

Assembly.

15. Explanatory report – information according to article 4 par. 7 of Law 3556/2007

a. The Company's share capital

The Company's share capital amounts to € 47.144.655,74 (31/12/2017: € 50.094.377,36) and consists of 51.807.314 shares (31/12/2017: 51.643.688) of nominal value € 0,91 each (31/12/2017: € 0,97).

All the shares are common nominal shares, listed on Athens Stock Exchange (category "Large Capitalization"). Each share entitles to one vote, with an exception of the number of own shares that do not have the right to vote.

The shareholders' responsibility is limited to the nominal value of the shares that they own.

b. Restrictions as to the transfer of the Company's shares

The transfer of shares of the Company is made as prescribed by law and there are no restrictions as to their transfer by the Company's Articles of Incorporation.

c. Significant direct or indirect shareholdings as prescribed by articles 9 - 11 of Law 3556/2007

On 31/12/2018, the following shareholders owned more than 5% of the voting shares of the Company:

KEM DAFNI A. FOURLIS: (17,369%)

d. Preference shares

The Company does not have any preference shares.

e. Restrictions to voting rights

There are no restrictions to voting rights arising from the Company's Articles of Incorporation.

f. Shareholder agreements resulting in restrictions transfer of shares or to their voting rights

The Company is not aware of any Shareholder agreements resulting in restrictions to transfer of shares or to their voting rights as it is prescribed by the Company's Articles of Incorporation.

g. Rules for the appointment and replacement of members of the Board of Directors and the amendment of the Articles of Incorporation which differ to those prescribed by Codified Law 2190/1920.

The rules for the appointment and replacement of members of the Board of Directors and the amendment of the Articles of Incorporation do not differ to those prescribed by Law 2190/1920.

h. The Board of Directors' or of several of its members, roles for the issue of new shares or the shares buy back in accordance with article 16 of Law 2190/1920

A. According to Art 13 par 1 (b) of Law 2190/ 1920 and the Art 4 par. 1 of the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, during the first 5 years from the Shareholders General Assembly resolution, the

Board of Directors has the right, based on a majority of 2/3 of total members, to: a) Increase Share Capital in total or partially through the issue of new shares for an amount that cannot exceed 1/2 of the paid in share capital at the date that Board was awarded the aforementioned right and b) Issue Corporate bonds that will be converted to shares for an amount that cannot exceed 1/2 of the paid in share capital. In this case the provisions of paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of article 3a of Law 2190/ 1920 are implemented. The Share Capital increases according to the above do not constitute an amendment of the Articles of Incorporation. The aforementioned General Assembly decision has to be published in accordance with Article 7b of Law 2190/ 1920.

This authority of the Board of Directors can be renewed from the General Assembly with a resolution that has to be published in accordance with Art. 7b of Law 2190/ 1920, for a time spread that will not exceed 5 years for every renewal and its validity commences after each 5 years period end.

In case that the Reserves exceed 1/4 of the paid in capital then for a Share Capital increase a decision of the Shareholders General Assembly is obligatory along with an amendment of the corresponding article of Articles of Incorporation. All the above decisions of the shareholders' General Assembly are valid with a presence greater than the 2/3 of the paid in capital representatives.

In case of non presence of the 2/3, the 1st Repeated General Assembly will take place within 20 days from the General Assembly date was cancelled. The 1st Repeated General Assembly has to be announced 10 days before. The 1st Repeated General Assembly is valid if at minimum, the 1/2 of the paid in capital representatives are physically present.

In case of a non presence of the 1/2, the 2nd Repeated General Assembly will take place within 20 days from the 1st Repeated General Assembly date was cancelled. The 2nd Repeated General Assembly has to be announced 10 days before. The 2nd Repeated General Assembly is valid if at minimum, the 1/5 of the paid in share capital representatives are physically present.

These decisions of the General Assembly of shareholders are considered by a majority of two thirds (2/3) of the votes represented therein.

B. 1) The Extraordinary General Assembly of shareholders of the Company "FOURLIS Holdings SA" of 27/9/2013, acting under the provisions of paragraph 13 of Article 13 and paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 29 and paragraph 2 of Article 31 of Law 2190/ 1920, decided the implementation of a stock option plan - hereinafter "Program A" - to executives of the Company and its affiliated companies within the meaning of paragraph 5 of article 42e of this Act and authorized the Board of Directors, to regulate procedural matters and details. The Board of Directors, under the terms of the plan and the law gives to recipients, who exercised their right, certificates of right to obtain shares and issue and deliver the shares to these recipients, increasing the share capital of the Company and certifying the capital increase. These increases in share capital are not amendments to Articles of Incorporation. The Board of Directors during the last month of the fiscal year within which capital increases occurred, as determined above, must adjust, with its resolution, the article of Articles of Incorporation regarding capital, so as to predict the amount of capital, as shown after these increases, made public in

compliance with Article 7b.

Under the context of the implementation of the aforementioned Program A, within the year 2018, 163.626 options were exercised (hereinafter "the Options"). Following the resolution of the Board of Directors of 17/12/2018 (relative minutes of the BoD with number 400/17.12.2018), the exercise of the aforementioned options by their beneficiaries of the SOP was certified by payment of the exercise price of the new shares.

It is noted that the underlying price of shares to which distributed stock options correspond, was initially determined at the amount of € 3,40 per share, which was the closing stock price of shares on the date of the General Assembly's resolution regarding the Program (27.09.2013). Following the BoD resolutions of 20/11/2017 and 19/11/2018 (relevant minutes with number 389/20.11.2017 and 399/19.11.2018), a readjustment has been made at the historical share price of the Company, and therefore the exercise price implemented for the stock options is € 3,2823 per share.

Following the certification of the exercise price payment of Options by their beneficiaries, namely the total amount of € 537.069,61, 163.626 new common nominal shares were issued and delivered towards their relevant beneficiaries of the Program, of nominal value € 0,91 per share while the share capital of the Company increased by the amount of € 148.899,66, which reflects to the nominal value of the new shares. Also, consequently to the exercise of the aforementioned Options by payment of the exercise value € 3,2823 per share, the share premium of total amount of € 388.169,95 was transferred to "share premium reserve".

The aforementioned change was registered to the General Electronic Commercial Registry (GECR) on 22.01.2019 (Code Registration Number 1638212), with the relevant 7785/22.01.2019 resolution of the Minister of Finance and Development.

2) The Ordinary General Assembly of shareholders of the Company "FOURLIS HOLDINGS SA" of 16/06/2017, acting under the provisions of paragraph 13 of Article 13 and paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 29 and paragraph 2 of Article 31 of Law 2190/ 1920, decided the implementation of a stock option plan - hereinafter "Program B" - to executives of the Company and its affiliated companies within the meaning of article 32 of L. 4308/2014 as it stands and authorized the Board of Directors, to regulate procedural matters and details. The Board of Directors, under the terms of the plan and the law gives to recipients, who exercised their right, certificates of right to obtain shares and issue and deliver the shares to these recipients, increasing the share capital of the Company and certifying the capital increase. These increases in share capital are not amendments to Articles of Incorporation. The Board of Directors during the last month of the fiscal year within which capital increases occurred, as determined above, must adjust, with its resolution, the article of Articles of Incorporation regarding capital, so as to predict the amount of capital, as shown after these increases, made public in compliance with Article 7b.

No stock options were exercised within the year 2018 under the context of the aforementioned Program B.

Regarding programs that refer to new shares issue for the period 1/1 – 31/12/2018, more information is mentioned above, in the Board of Directors Report in paragraph 6 Stock Option Plan.

C) There is not, until today, a program in force by the Company for treasury shares. Furthermore, during the whole period 1/1 – 31/12/2018, the Company did not have any treasury shares.

Until 31.12.2018, but also until today, there has not been any treasury shares purchase.

i. Significant agreements that the issuer has entered into, which come into force, are amended or terminate in the event that there are changes in control due to public offering and the results of this

There are no significant agreements that the Company has entered into, which come into force, are amended or terminate in the event that there are changes in control due to public offering.

j. Agreements that the issuer has entered into with members of the Board of Directors or its employees, which provide for indemnity in the event of termination or redundancy without cause due to public offering

There are no agreements that the Company has entered into with members of the Board of Directors or its employees, which provide for indemnity in the event of termination or redundancy.

16. Corporate Governance Statement for the period 1/1 – 31/12/2018

According to L. 3873/2010 article 2 paragraph 2, the Board of Directors of the Company declares the following:

a) Reference on the Corporate Governance Code which the Company is coming under or has voluntarily decided to comply with and the website that can be found.

The Hellenic Corporate Governance Council (HCGC) has been established at 2012 as a non-profit company with the joint initiative of Athens Stock Exchange and the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV). Since October 2018, the Hellenic Banking Association has become a regular member of the HCGC.

The purpose of HCGC is incessant growth of Greek market's credibility among international and domestic investors and improvement of competitiveness of Greek companies. It operates as a specialized body for the expansion of the principles of the corporate governance and aims to develop the culture of good governance in Greek economy and society. Its general plan of action includes: formation of views regarding institutional framework, submission of proposals, participation in deliberations and working groups, organization of educational and informational activities, monitoring and assessment of corporate governance practices and implementation of corporate governance codes, subscription tools supply and rating of Greek companies' performance.

HCGC, as a Non-Profit company, has Members, which are distinguished in Founding (Athens Stock Exchange and SEV), Regular (HBA), Participating and Other. HCGC's supreme body is the General Assembly (GA). HCGC is directed by Administration Council consisted of 3-5 members elected by the GA and has a term of 5 years. Today, the Administration Council has 5 members. Besides the

Administration Council, the HCGC also operates Corporate Governance Council, in which specialists from different sectors participate (audit, investment, business, supervision, legal, consulting, banking and stock market).

Since October 2018, a Working Committee has been established with the participation of representatives of Founding Members and the new Regular Member (Athens Stock Exchange, SEV, HBA) with responsibilities to implement the action plan, organize other actions (conferences, events, promotional actions), find sponsors and other resources, as well as fulfill and implement other purposes of HCGC.

The Company, following its BoD resolution of 28/2/2011, has decided to voluntarily implement the Hellenic Corporate Governance Code which was conducted on the initiative of SEV (Hellenic Federation of Enterprises) and afterwards modified under the context of its first revision (28/6/2013) from Hellenic Corporate Governance Council (HCGC).

The Hellenic Corporate Governance Code is posted on the website of the Hellenic Corporate Governance Council at: http://www.esed.org.gr.

The purpose of Hellenic Corporate Governance Code is the constant improvement of the greek institutional framework and general business environment, as well as the increase of investors' confidence not only towards the listed companies as a whole but also each one of them and the broadening of attraction horizons of investment capitals.

The Hellenic Corporate Governance Code contains two types of provisions: "general principles", which are addressed to all companies, listed or not and "special practices" which only refer to listed companies. The purpose of General principles is to provide a general framework within which principles can be addressed and more issues of corporate governance can be resolved, either of a listed company or not. Each principle is followed by one or more specific practices that further develop the general principles and guide their implementation within the regulatory and ownership structure of listed companies. The Code follows the approach of compliance or explanation and has the following demands of the listed companies which chose to implement it: the disclosure of their intention and either their compliance with all the specific practices of the Code or their explanation of the reasons leading them not to comply with these specific practices.

The general principles of the Code cover the following topics:

  • Role and responsibilities of the Board
  • Size and composition of the Board
  • Role and profile of the Chairman of the Board
  • Duties and conduct of Board members
  • Nomination of Board members
  • Functioning of the Board
  • Board evaluation

  • Internal audit system

  • Level and structure of remuneration
  • Communication with shareholders
  • General Assembly of shareholders
  • b) Reference to the corporate governance practices implemented by the Company beyond the requirements of the Law and the website that can be found

Whenever Hellenic Corporate Governance Code refers to existing, mandatory legal rules present tense is used to distinguish these requirements from the voluntary practices of the Code.

Indicative, the following Corporate Governance practices applied by the Company and exceed the current provisions of the Law (Law 3016/2002, Law 3693/2008 ar. 37, Law 4403/2016 ar. 2, Law 4449/2017 ar. 44 and Law 2190/1920 wherever it covers the relevant topics):

  • The Board of Directors consists of seven (7) to fifteen (15) Board Members. The BOD should comprise a majority of non-executive members (including independent non-executive members) and at least two (2) executive members. At least one third (1/3) of the Board Members consists of independent non - executive members, who are free of material conflict of interest with the Company and do not have any close ties with the Management, controlling shareholders or the Company.
  • The Board of Directors is assisted by a competent, suitably qualified and experienced company Secretary who shall attend all its meetings. All Board Members have access to the services of the company Secretary, whose role is to provide practical support to the Chairman and other Board members, both as a group and individually, and ensure that the Board complies with internal rules and relevant laws and regulations.
  • The Board of Directors has established a Nomination and Remuneration Committee which meets sufficiently regularly and ensures an efficient and transparent process for both the nomination of Board members and the formulation of policy and principles of the Company regarding the remuneration of executive Board members and key executives.
  • The responsibilities of the Chairman are clearly established by the Board of Directors, clearly distinguished from those of the Chief Executive Officer and are reflected in the Internal Regulation of the company.
  • The Board of Directors has appointed independent Vice-Chairman coming from its independent members given that the Chairman of the BoD has executive responsibilities.
  • The Board of Directors, supported by Audit Committee, sets appropriate policies on internal control and ensures that the system is functioning effectively. The Board of Directors also defines the process to be adopted for the monitoring of the effectiveness of internal control. This encompasses both the scope and frequency of the reports it receives from the internal audit services and reviews during the year, as well as the process for the annual assessment of internal

control.

  • The Chairman of the Board of Directors should be available to meet shareholders of the company to discuss eventual governance concerns. The Chairman of the Board of Directors should ensure that the views of the shareholders are communicated to the whole Board.
  • The Audit Committee ensures the functioning of the internal control service according to international professional standards
  • c) Description of the main characteristics of internal control and risk management of the company in relation to the process of preparation of financial statements

The Company has developed and implements a process for issuing the financial statements (consolidated and separate) and the Financial Report. The Group companies record their transactions in their information systems and through automated procedures the consolidation application is updated. Crosschecking of data is performed and is reviewed (intra - group transactions, receivables and payables, etc.). Elimination and consolidation entries are recorded and the financial statements with the associate notes are developed. After the completion of audit procedures, the Financial Report that includes the financial statements is submitted to the Board of Directors for approval.

The main characteristics of internal control and risk management systems employed by the Company in connection with the process of preparation of the financial statements and the Financial Report are the following:

  • Adequate knowledge, skills and availability of personnel involved with clearly separated roles and areas of responsibility.
  • Existence of recorded and updated procedures related to the issuance of financial results.
  • Regular review of accounting principles and policies.
  • Existence of control activities relevant to information systems used.
  • Regular communication between the external auditors, Executive Management and the Audit Committee.
  • Regular meetings for validation and registration of the significant estimations affecting the financial statements.
  • Existence of risk management methodology and documentation for its implementation. Presentation of the results of risk management to the Board of Directors.
  • Existence of unique Chart of Accounts for all Group companies and centralized management.
  • On the recommendation of the Audit Committee, annual evaluation by the Board of Directors of the internal control and risk management systems applied for the issuance of financial statements.
  • d) Additional Information pursuant to sections c), d), f) g) and h) of Article 10 par.1 of the 2004/25/EK Directive of the 21st of April 2004, regarding the Takeover Bid, since the Company is subject to the Directive

During the year no Takeover Bids or Business Combination took place.

e) Information about the General Shareholders Assembly, mode of operation, description of the rights of the shareholders and how these can be exercised

The convocation of General Assembly of Shareholders of the Company is in accordance with the Law 2190/ 1920, as in force.

Regarding the operating method of the General Assembly, the Company follows the practices mentioned below:

  • The Shareholders of the Company are informed in advance and up to schedule, for the convocation of the General Assembly, in accordance with the Law.
  • The Company publicizes on its website the Invitation of the General Assembly, the representation mode of the Shareholders, the deadlines and the mode of exercise of their rights as well as the voting results for each topic of the agenda.
  • The Company publicizes on time on its website Explanatory Note regarding the agenda, the relevant proposals by Board of Directors, the required quorum and majority for the approval of the proposals. The Explanatory Note is also available in hard copy in Company's Head Office and is distributed to the Shareholders entering in the General Assembly.
  • Ensuring that each shareholder is able to participate at the General Assembly either by wording their views or by submitting their questions.

The Company, according Law 3884/ 2010, in its first adaption at the convocation of the Annual Ordinary General Assembly of 2011, takes all measures for the consistent process and to ensure the Shareholders rights.

The responsibilities of the General Assembly are mentioned in the Extract of the Article of Incorporation of the Company which is posted on its website: http://www.fourlis.gr.

f) Composition and functioning of the Board and any other administrative, management or supervisory bodies or committees of the Company

The Board, its independent members and all members of Audit Committee, have been elected by the Annual General Assembly of shareholders held on 16/6/2017. The term of Board members in accordance with the articles of Incorporation and of members of Audit Committee, is five years and is automatically extended until the first ordinary General Assembly after the termination of its term.

The new BoD was constituted as follows:

Chairman of the BoD, Executive Member, Chairman of Nomination and
Remuneration Committee
Vassilis S. Fourlis
Vice – Chairman of the BoD, Executive Member, Member of Nomination
and Remuneration Committee
Dafni A. Fourlis
Independent Vice – Chairman, Independent Non – Executive Member,
Member of Audit Committee, Member of Nomination and Remuneration
Committee
Eftichios Th. Vassilakis
CEO, Executive Member Apostolos D. Petalas
Director, Executive Member, Corporate Social Responsibility Director Lida S. Fourlis
Director, Non – Executive Member, Member of Audit Committee Ioannis Ev. Brebos
Director, Independent Non - Executive Member, Member of Nomination
and Remuneration Committee
Pavlos K. Triposkiadis
Director, Independent Non – Executive Member, Head of Audit Committee David A. Watson
Director, Independent Non – Executive Member, Member of Nomination
and Remuneration Committee
Ioannis A. Kostopoulos

Short CV's of the members of the Board of Directors as well as of the Company's Secretary Mr Ioannis Zakopoulos are presented on the Company's website: (http://www.fourlis.gr)

The Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide for the Board of Directors to be composed of 3 to 9 members. The Company has elected its Board with the maximum permitted number of Directors to ensure the diversity of gender, age, knowledge, qualification and experience serving the objectives of the Company as well as the balance between executive and non-executive members.

The main responsibilities of the Board of Directors include:

  • Approving the overall long term strategy and operational goals of the Company.
  • Approving annual budgets and business plans and deciding on major capital expenditures, acquisitions and divestitures.
  • Selecting and replacing, if necessary, the executive leadership of the company and overseeing succession planning.
  • Monitoring the performance of senior management, and aligning executive remuneration with the longer term interests of the company and its shareholders.
  • Ensuring the existence of risk management and internal audit system and annually examining the main potential risks facing the Company in addition to the consideration of internal audit system following the recommendation of the Audit Committee.
  • Ensuring the integrity of the company's accounts, financial reporting systems and public

disclosures, as well as the effectiveness of the systems of internal control and risk management.

  • Vigilance regarding existing and potential conflicts of interest between both the Company and its senior management, board members or major shareholders (including shareholders with direct or indirect authority to form or influence the composition and behavior of the Board) and appropriate management of such conflicts. For this purpose, the Board adopts supervisory process of transactions with the interests of transparency and protection of corporate interests.
  • Ensuring that there is a satisfactory process for monitoring the company's compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
  • Deciding on and monitoring the effectiveness of the company's governance processes including its system of decision - making and delegation of authorities and duties to other key executives.
  • Formulating, disseminating and implementing key values and principles of conduct governing the company's relations with its shareholders.
  • Approving Internal Regulation Charter, Corporate Governance Code, Code of Conduct and their revisions.
  • Approving equal opportunities and diversity policy, including gender balance between board members.

Company's policy of equal opportunities and diversity is posted on its website (http://www.fourlis.gr) and briefly includes the following:

FOURLIS Group is committed to provide equal opportunities for all employees and qualified applicants for employment, at all levels of hierarchy, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. FOURLIS Group expressly prohibits any discrimination or harassment based on these factors.

Affirmative action will be taken to ensure that all employment decisions, including but not limited to those involving recruitment, hiring, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, transfer, discipline, and discharge, are free from unlawful discrimination.

The Group encourages a safe and healthy work environment, free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation. All employment-related decisions are based on an individual qualification, performance and behavior, or other legitimate business considerations.

FOURLIS Group will provide reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified employees with a disability consistent with the law. What constitutes a reasonable accommodation depends on the circumstances and thus will be addressed by the Group on a case-by-case basis.

With a view to achieving a sustainable and balanced development, the Group sees increasing diversity at the Board & Executive Officers level as an essential element in supporting attainment of its strategic objectives and its sustainable development.

Certain minimum qualifications for Board members & Executive Officers candidates should possess, including strong values and discipline, high ethical standards, a commitment to full participation to the Board and its committees. Candidates should possess individual skills, experience and demonstrated

abilities that help meet the current needs to the Group.

Board & Executive Officers' diversity is based on a number of aspects, including but not limited to gender, age, cultural and educational background, ethnicity, professional experience, skills, knowledge and length of service.

All Board & Executive Officers appointments will be based on meritocracy, and candidates will be considered against objective criteria, having due regard for the benefits of diversity on the Board.

Below, data on the proportion of each gender and age of Board members and Senior Executives are presented:

Board of Directors HC Total %
Male 7 78%
Female 2 22%
Grand Total 9 100%

The age range of the members of the BoD varies from 51 to 78 years old.

Executive Officers HC Total %
Male 26 81%
Female 6 19%
Grand Total 32 100%

The age range of the Executive Officers varies from 36 to 63 years old.

The policy of conducting transactions between subsidiaries of the Company and related parties aims at the timely information of the desired transaction and approval obtaining before its implementation. The policy applies to all new transactions regardless their amount. In case of existing transactions, approval is required for substantial modification of contract terms in force (new customer, new transaction, expansion of the duration, credit terms amendment, pricing conditions amendment etc).

The Board shall meet with the necessary frequency so as to effectively perform its duties. At the beginning of each calendar year, the Board adopts a meeting agenda and a 12-plan action plan, which may be revised depending on the needs of the Company.

The evaluation of the Board and its Committees takes place annually through questionnaires completed by the members of the Board, which are then processed by the Company's Secretary and presented to the Board at its November meeting.

The policy and principles of the Company regarding the form of executive board members' remuneration as well as the method of calculation of board members' variable remuneration, including quantitative and qualitative criteria taken into consideration, are summarized as follows:

Group Compensation & Benefits Policy

Compensation is a fundamental component of employment and one of the most critical HR management policies. With the term "Compensation" we intend: base salary, bonus or incentive plans

(if the position is eligible to such incentives) and benefits.

FOURLIS Group has established and communicates transparent and clear principles by which Executive BoD members, are paid with the aim to ensure fairness and equity. The Compensation Policy of FOURLIS Group is based on objectives and up-to-date job descriptions, effective job evaluation and performance management.

All compensation and benefits are shown in the offer letter and/ or the employment contract; there are no unlisted, "off-agreement" incentives or benefits allowed. Compensation includes base salary, management upon objectives, stock option plan and other incentives in kind. The Group does not tolerate any form of discrimination, as described in the Group Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy. All employment-related decisions, including decisions on compensation, are based on an individual qualification, performance and behavior, or other legitimate business considerations.

Salary Ranges

FOURLIS Group collaborates with well-known consultancy firms, with international experience, in order to get the appropriate market benchmarking on Compensation & Benefits trends and establish its own salary range. The market benchmarking is conducted once a year to ensure that the Group policy is in line with the employment market practices for each targeted position within that market, as well as to ensure internal equity.

Placement on Salary Range

FOURLIS Group Compensation policy has established the criteria for new hires/ existing Executive BoD Members placement on the salary range. The criteria include the new hires/ existing Executive BoD Members experience and specific skill sets related to the position.

Criteria for Salary Increases

In order to ensure fair and equitable compensation practices, FOURLIS Group has clearly established, communicate and apply decision-making criteria for salary increases. Decisions on salary increases are based on cost of living and performance (merit).

As a guideline for management, the performance ratings should normally follow a typical distribution (gauss curve), depending on the maturity of each FOURLIS Group Company. The Group HR Function provides the appropriate distribution to the Group Companies. The typical distribution guideline is recommended in order to fairly apply the performance system to all individuals and to maintain the approved company budget. Merit increase pay out may change from year to year and are determined by how successful the Group Companies have been as a profit making business.

Salary Review Timing

Salary reviews are conducted annually in conjunction with performance reviews.

Bonus and Incentive Pay

The Management by Objectives (MBO) is an optional reward, decided annually and is awarded each time by the decision of the Group Management, which chooses its level, size and way of

implementation.

Under this decision, the program "Management by Objectives" (MBO) is based on Group, Company and/ or Personal (departmental) Objectives, which will be accomplished during each year.

The MBO program is designed to strengthen our Group's strategy, support the view that we should reward contribution, and is targeted on:

  • Participants motivation on Objectives' achievement
  • Contribution on Group, Company & Personal/ departmental final results
  • Teamwork spirit

Stock Option Plan

Stock Oprion Plans are approved by the General Assembly of the Shareholders of the Company and aim, to attract, maintain and motivate the Executive BoD Members, since through this program, the participants derive direct interest as shareholders of the company and they will connect their performance with the future performance of the Company, as this is mirrored to the share price increase.

Other Incentives

The FOURLIS Group following the market trends, in order to further motivate its Executives BoD Members has in place a benefit in kind policy which includes: health and life insurance plan, pension scheme, company car as well as some other minor benefits.

The remuneration of the Board of Directors is approved by the Annual General Assembly of shareholders.

The functioning of the Board of Directors is detailed in the Board Internal Regulation. The Board Internal Regulation contains the following sections:

  • Election of the Board
  • Board members
  • Establishment of independence of candidates or current members of the Board
  • Term of the Board
  • Establishment of the Board as a body
  • Responsibilities of the Board
  • Duties and conduct of Board members
  • Board committees
  • Prohibitions
  • Board Meetings
  • Quorum of the Board and decision making
  • Support of the Board
  • Minutes of Board Meetings

The function of the Board is supported by two committees: the Audit Committee and the Nomination

and Remuneration Committee.

The Audit Committee is appointed by the General Assembly of shareholders (Article 37 of Law 3693/2008). The main responsibilities of the Audit Committee are the following:

  • Monitoring the financial reporting process and credibility of financial statements,
  • Supervision of any formal announcement regarding the financial performance of the Company and examination of key points of financial statements which contain significant judgments and estimations in terms of management,
  • Monitoring the effectiveness of internal control and risk management systems, and monitoring the proper working of the internal audit function,
  • Ensuring the independence of internal audit and evaluation of the head of internal audit,
  • Examining cases of interest conflicts during transactions of the Company and its subsidiaries with related parties and submitting such reports to the board,
  • Monitoring the progress of statutory audit of separate and consolidated financial statements,
  • Reviewing and monitoring issues related to the existence and maintenance of objectivity and independence of the external auditor, especially regarding the supply of non-auditing services by the statutory auditor or the audit firm. Objectivity and independence of external auditor in cases of providing non auditing services is secured by strict delimitation and extremely limited use of services provided by auditors not participating in the regular audit of the Group's companies.

The function of the Audit Committee is detailed in the Corporate Governance Code and the Audit Committee Charter approved by the Board and posted on the website of the Company (http://www.fourlis.gr). The Audit Committee since its inception (early 2003) and by the end of 2018 held 63 meetings. Each regular meeting of the year 2018 was attended by Executives of the Financial Department of the Company and by the external auditors of the company. The minutes of the Audit Committee are distributed and approved in the next meeting of the BoD.

The main responsibility of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee is to lead the procedure of submission of nominations for the election of Board and submits proposals to the Board of Directors their remuneration. The annual ordinary meeting of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee is held in October of every year before the configuration of budget of the next year. The minutes of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee are distributed and approved in the next meeting of the BoD.

The Nomination and Remuneration Committee is responsible for:

  • Proposal submissions to the Board of Directors concerning the remuneration of each individual executive Board Member, including bonuses, incentive payments and share options.
  • Reviewing and making proposals to the Board of Directors on the total annual package of variable (beyond salary) compensation in the Company.
  • Reviewing and proposing to the Board of Directors (and, via the Board of Directors, the General

Assembly of shareholders, when required) on the stock option and/ or share award programs.

  • Proposing targets for performance related compensation or targets related to stock-options or granting of shares.
  • Reviewing regularly the salary of executive Board Members and other contractual terms, including severance payments and pension arrangements.
  • Submitting proposals to the Board on any business policy related to remuneration.
  • Reviewing the annual remuneration report.

The function of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board of Directors is detailed in the Charter of the Committee approved by the Board of Directors and posted on the web site of the Company (http://www.fourlis.gr). The Nomination and Remuneration Committee Charter contains the following sections:

  • The purpose of the Committee
  • Members and term of the Committee
  • Duties and responsibilities of the Committee
  • Functioning of the Committee
  • Disclosure of the Committee Charter
  • g) If the company deviates from the Corporate Governance Code that applies, the Corporate Governance Statement includes a description of that deviation with reference to the relevant parts of the Corporate Governance Code and provides explanation for the deviation. If the company does not comply with certain provisions of the Corporate Governance Code, the Corporate Governance Statement includes a reference to the provision that is not applied and explains the reasons for that deviation.

The Company complies with the Hellenic Corporate Governance Code with minor deviations that are presented and explained in the following table.

Hellenic Corporate Governance Code Explanation/ Justification of deviations
(first modification June 2013) from special practices of the Hellenic
Corporate Governance Code
Board members must be elected by shareholders at a An amendment on Articles of Incorporation of the
maximum term of four (4) years (specific practice 5.1 Company is required, which is a decision of the
Nomination of Board Members) General Assembly. It will be proposed as a change
by the termination of the term of the members of
the current Board of Directors.
The evaluation of the performance of the Board and its The responsibilities of the Board of Directors include
Committees should take place at least every 2 years in the
assessment
of
its
Committees.
For
the
line with a clearly established procedure. The evaluation evaluation of the effectiveness of the Board, the
exercise should be led by the Chairman and its results Company
has
ended
up
with
the
use
of
discussed by the Board. The Chairman should act on the questionnaires completed by the members of the
results of the performance evaluation by addressing the Board,
which
are
processed
by
the
company's
weaknesses
of
the
Board.
The
Board
should
also
Secretary
and
presented
annually
to
the
Board
evaluate
the
performance
of
its
Chairman.
This
during the last meeting of every year. The specific
procedure
should
be
led
by
the
independent
Vice
-
practise
of
meetings
of
non
executive
members
Chairman, if appointed, or by another non - executive without the presence of executive members is about
Board member (specific practice 7.1, Board evaluation). to be applied within 2019.
Non
-
executive
Board
members
should
convene
periodically without the executive members in order to
evaluate
the
latter
performance
and
discuss
their
remuneration (specific practice 7.2, Board evaluation).
If stock options are granted, they shouldn't mature in The
current
stock
option
plan
(SOP
program)
less
than
three
(3)
years
from
grant
date
(special
provides maturity to stock options in less than three
practice 1.2, Level and structure of remuneration). (3) years from grant date. In case of a new SOP
program, there will be a revision of this specific
special practice.
Executive Board members' contracts should provide that The
existing
contracts
of
the
Company
do
not
the Board may demand full or partial recovery of any include this term, but a specific reference has been
bonuses
awarded
on
the
basis
of
restated
financial
predicted to be made to the last revision of the
statements
of
previous
years
or
otherwise
erroneous
Code of Conduct distributed to all the employees of
financial data used to calculate such bonuses (special the Company.
practice 1.3, Level and structure of remuneration).

17. Subsequent Events

There are no other subsequent events that may significantly affect the financial position and results of the Group other than the following:

those mentioned in Note 6 of the Report of Board of Directors and are related to the exercise of stock options of the SOP,

  • on 28/2/2019, it was announced that the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission during its meeting held at 838/28.02.2019 resolved on granting a license to the company under formation "TRADE ESTATES REAL ESTATES INVESTMENT COMPANY" for its operation as a) a Real Estate Investment Company according to the provisions of L. 2778/1999 and b) an internally managed Alternative Investments Fund Manager ("AIFM") according to the provisions of L. 4209/2013. Fourlis Group, through TRADE ESTATES REIC aims at operating a REIC that will be investing purely in quality retail properties and E-Commerce infrastructure. The Retail evolution in physical and digital form, creates significant opportunities in the real estate market in Southeastern Europe.
  • on 24/1/2019, Ministry of Development approved the application of a subsidiary company in order for its business plan, regarding the supply of mechanical equipment of amount € 6.719.230, to be subject to the provisions of L. 4399/2016.
  • on 28/1/2019, the guarantee of the parent Company over third company (associated until fiscal year 2017) for loan of amount € 4.000 th., is reduced by € 1.000 th. by equally decreasing contingent liabilities of the Group.
  • on 20/2/2019, a subsidiary of the Group issued a five-year unsecured Common Bond Loan amounting at fifteen million euros for financing its business operations. The loan was covered entirely by the bond lender on 26/2/2019.

This Report, the Annual Financial Statements of the year 2018, the Notes on the Annual Financial Statements along with the Auditors Report, they are published at the Group's web site, address: http://www.fourlis.gr. At the same web address, all Annual Financial Statements, Audit Reports and Board of Directors Reports of the companies which are consolidated and they are not listed and which cumulatively represent a percentage higher than 5% of consolidated revenues or assets or operating results after the deduction of minority shares proportion, are published.

Maroussi, March 18th 2019

The Board of Directors

The Financial Statements (consolidated and separate) included in pages 58 to 131 are in accordance with the IFRS as applied in the European Union and approved by the Board of Directors of "Fourlis Holdings SA" on 18/3/2019 and are signed by the following:

Chairman of the Board of Directors CEO

Vassilis St. Fourlis ID No. S - 700173 Apostolos D. Petalas ID No. ΑΚ - 021139

Finance Manager Controlling & Planning Chief Accountant

Maria I. Theodoulidou ID No. Τ - 134715

Sotirios I. Mitrou ID No. ΑI – 557890 Ch. Acct. Lic. No. 30609 Α Class

THIS REPORT HAS BEEN TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL VERSION IN GREEK

Independent Auditor's Report

To the Shareholders of FOURLIS HOLDINGS S.A.

Report on the Audit of the Separate and Consolidated Financial Statements

Opinion

We have audited the accompanying separate and consolidated financial statements of Fourlis Holdings S.A. (the Company), which comprise the separate and consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2018, and the separate and consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the year then ended and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

In our opinion, the accompanying separate and consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial position of Fourlis Holdings S.A and its subsidiaries (the Group) as at 31 December 2018 and its consolidated financial performance and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as endorsed by the European Union.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs), as incorporated in Greek Law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the "Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Separate and Consolidated Financial Statements" section of our report. We remained independent of the Company and Group throughout the period of our appointment in accordance with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants' Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (IESBA Code), as incorporated in Greek Law, together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to the audit of the consolidated financial statements in Greece, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the IESBA Code. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the separate and consolidated financial statements of the current period. These matters and the related risks of material misstatement, were addressed in the context of our audit of the separate and consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

For each matter below, our description of how our audit addressed the matter is provided in that context.

We have fulfilled the responsibilities described in the "Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Separate and Consolidated Financial Statements" section of our report, including in relation to these matters. Accordingly, our audit included the performance of procedures designed to respond to our assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the separate and consolidated financial statements. The results of our audit procedures, including the procedures performed to address the matters below, provide the basis for our audit opinion on the accompanying separate and consolidated financial statements.

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Key audit matter How our audit addressed the Key audit matter
Valuation of inventories (consolidated financial statements)
In the consolidated statement of financial
position of December 31, 2018, the Group
presents inventories amounting to €84 million,
which includes a provision for impairment of
€1.1 million.
As described in Note 3.13 of the consolidated
financial
statements,
the
Group
records
inventories
at
the
lower
of
cost
or
net
realizable value.
Critical judgement and estimates are exercised
by the Group management in identifying and
assessing
the
amount
of
allowance
for
inventories,
which
include
among
other,
estimation of the slow-moving inventories,
estimation of obsolete inventories that will be
destructed
during
the
following
period,
evaluation of seasonality and estimation of the
future selling prices of the products.
We consider that because of the judgment
involved
in
inventory
valuation
and
the
assumptions
used
by
management,
in
combination
with
the
significance
of
the
amount of inventories to the Group financial
statements, valuation of inventories is a key
audit matter.
Group
discloses
the
related
accounting
policies and estimates, and the assumptions
used for inventory valuation, in Notes 2.2, 3.13
and
12
of
the
consolidated
financial
statements.
We have performed the following procedures:

Historical costs and margins were tested on a
sample basis through reconciliation of purchase
cost and margins with the original purchase
invoices and sales invoices.

We recomputed on a test basis the weighted
average valuation method that is used to value
inventories.

We assessed whether there were inventories
which were sold with a negative margin and
whether this was considered for inventory
valuation at the lower of cost or net realizable
value.

At year end, we attended on a part of inventory
counts in Group stores and distribution centers,
to validate on a sample basis whether there
were indications of obsolesce.

We assessed management's estimations for
slow moving inventories through observing on a
sample basis historical sales and seasonality.

We
evaluated
the
historical
accuracy
of
allowance
of
inventories
assessed
by
management by comparing on a sample basis
the actual loss from inventory destruction,
inventory write offs or other entries related to
inventories to the historical allowance.

Furthermore, on a sample basis, we validated
the mathematical accuracy of management's
calculations for inventory provision.
We also assessed the adequacy of the disclosures
which are included in the notes to the consolidated
financial statements.

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Key audit matter How our audit addressed the Key audit matter
Impairment exercise on stores (consolidated financial statements)
Property plant and equipment is a material
part of Group total assets (2018: €210
million). An amount of €186.4million relates
to the net book value of Group stores.
In
accordance
with
IFRS,
the
Group
considers
each
store
as
a
Cash
Generating Unit, and performs impairment
test to the stores where an indication of
impairment exists.
Due to the material carrying value of those
assets
as
well
as
the
judgment
and
assumptions involved in the identification
of
any
impairment
indication
and
the
assessment exercised whether there is a
need of impairment or not, we consider the
impairment exercise on stores a key audit
matter.
Group discloses the related accounting
policies
and
estimates,
and
the
assumptions
used
for
the
impairment
exercise on stores, in Notes 2.2, 3.7, 3.10
and
7
of
the
consolidated
financial
statements.
Our audit procedures included, among others,
the following:

We evaluated the Group policies to identify
the Cash Generated Units.

We evaluated the Group policies to identify
triggering events for potential impairment
of assets in each Cash Generated Unit.

We evaluated management assumptions
underlying
the
potential
impairment
calculation
for
those
stores
where
a
triggering event was
identified. Valuation
specialists supported the audit team.

We evaluated the management estimates
for the future cash flows by performing the
following audit procedures:
(a) We compared forecasted future cash
flows of prior years with the actual cash
flows, and
(b) We compared the future cash flows that
were used in Group models with market
available data and industry trends.

We reviewed the discount rate and residual
value calculated by the Group with regards
to the assumptions used, and compared
them with the available industry trends and
other financial information.

We evaluated the sensitivity analysis of the
most significant assumptions used.
We
also
assessed
the
adequacy
of
the
disclosures which are included in the notes to
the consolidated financial statements.

Other information

Management is responsible for the other information in the Financial Statements. The other information, included in the Annual Report, comprises of the Board of Directors Report, for which reference is also made in section "Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements", the Statements of the Members of the Board of Directors, and other complementary information, but does not include the separate and consolidated financial statements and our auditor's report thereon.

Our opinion on the separate and consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the separate and consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information identified above and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the separate and consolidated financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Responsibilities of the Management and Those Charged with Governance for the Separate and Consolidated Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the separate and consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as endorsed by the European Union, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of separate and consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the separate and consolidated financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Company's and Group's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate the Company and the Group or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

The Audit Committee (Law 44 ν.4449/2017) is responsible for overseeing the Company's and the Group's financial reporting process.

Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Separate and Consolidated Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the separate and consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs, as incorporated in Greek Law, will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these separate and consolidated financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, as incorporated in Greek Law, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the separate and consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and

appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

  • Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's and the Group's internal control.
  • Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.
  • Conclude on the appropriateness of management's use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company's and the Group's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor's report to the related disclosures in the separate and consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor's report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company and the Group to cease to continue as a going concern.
  • Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the separate and consolidated financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the separate and consolidated financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
  • Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the Group to express an opinion on the separate and consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the Company and its subsidiaries. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.

From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the separate and consolidated financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters.

Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements

1. Board of Directors' Report

Taking into consideration that management is responsible for the preparation of the Board of Directors' Report and Corporate Governance Statement that is included therein, according to the provisions of paragraph 5 article 2 of Law 4336/2015 (part B), we report that:

  • a) The Board of Directors' Report includes a Corporate Governance Statement that contains the information required by article 43bb of Codified Law 2190/1920.
  • b) In our opinion the Board of Directors' Report has been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements of articles 43a and 107A, and paragraph 1 (c and d) of article 43bb of the Codified Law 2190/1920 and the content of the Board of Directors' report is consistent with the accompanying financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018.
  • Based on the knowledge and understanding concerning the Company and its environment, gained during our audit, we have not identified information included in the Board of Directors' report that contains a material misstatement.

2. Additional Report to the Audit Committee

Our opinion on the separate and consolidated financial statements is consistent with our Additional Report to the Audit Committee of the Group, in accordance with Article 11 of the EU Regulation 537/2014.

3. Provision of Non-audit Services

We have not provided any prohibited non-audit services per Article 5 of the EU Regulation 537/2014.

Non-audit services provided by us to the Company and its subsidiaries during the year ended December 31, 2018, are disclosed in note 6 of the separate and consolidated financial statements.

4. Appointment of the Auditor

We were firstly appointed as auditors of the Company by the General Assembly on June 11, 2010. Our appointment has been renewed annually by virtue of decisions of the annual general meetings of the shareholders for a continuous period of 9 years.

Athens, March 18, 2019

The Certified Auditor Accountant

SOFIA KALOMENIDES S.O.E.L. R.N. 13301 ERNST &YOUNG (HELLAS) CERTIFIED AUDITORS ACCOUNTANTS S.A. CHIMARRAS 8B, 151 25 MAROUSSI GREECE SOEL REG. No. 107

Statement of Financial Position (Consolidated and Separate) as at December 31, 2018 and at December 31,2017

(In thousands of Euro, unless otherwise stated)

Group Company
Assets Note 31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Non-current Assets
Property plant and equipment 7 209.624 215.224 191 208
Investment Property 8 23.993 21.060 0 0
Intangible Assets 9 9.023 9.174 241 180
Investments 10 28.246 22.838 80.328 80.042
Long Term receivables 11 4.699 5.346 47 47
Deferred Taxes 24 3.837 4.890 637 714
Total non-current assets 279.423 278.533 81.444 81.191
Current assets
Inventory 12 83.864 77.359 0 0
Income tax receivable 1.333 2.200 910 909
Trade receivables 13 2.541 2.140 1.980 1.521
Other receivables 14 17.130 24.596 5.017 5.101
Cash & cash equivalent 15 39.854 36.603 1.525 2.843
Total current assets 144.722 142.898 9.432 10.374
Total Assets 424.145 421.431 90.875 91.565
Shareholders equity
Share Capital 16 47.145 50.094 47.145 50.094
Share premium reserve 13.445 13.057 13.958 13.570
Reserves 17 29.520 30.951 15.778 15.406
Retained earnings 83.634 73.766 12.151 10.781
Total shareholders equity (a) 173.745 167.869 89.032 89.851
Non controlling interest (b) 0 0 0 0
Total Equity (c)=(a)+(b) 173.745 167.869 89.032 89.851
LIABILITIES
Non Current Liabilities
Loans and borrowings 21 113.773 118.495 0 0
Employee retirement benefits 19 4.736 4.357 515 494
Deferred Taxes 24 150 282 0 0
Other non-current liabilities 22 4.751 4.792 23 23
Total non current Liabilities 123.410 127.926 539 518
Current Liabilities
Short term loans for working capital 21 11.387 16.081 0 0
Current portion of non-current loans and 21 9.117 9.285 0 0
borrowings
Short-term portion of non-current Lease 21 586 555 0 0
Income Tax Payable 158 191 20 20
Accounts payable and other current liabilities 23 105.743 99.526 1.285 1.177
Total current Liabilities 126.991 125.636 1.305 1.197
Total liabilities (d) 250.400 253.562 1.844 1.715
Total Equity & Liabilities (c) + (d) 424.145 421.431 90.875 91.565

Income Statement (Consolidated) for the period 1/1 to 31/12/2018 and 1/1 to 31/12/2017

(In thousands of Euro, unless otherwise stated)

Group
Note 1/1 - 31/12/2018 1/1 - 31/12/2017
Revenue 6 448.486 434.059
Cost of Goods Sold 6 (255.728) (246.347)
Gross Profit 192.758 187.712
Other operating income 6 7.545 5.581
Distribution expenses 6 (147.834) (144.241)
Administrative expenses 6 (21.292) (20.174)
Other operating expenses 6 (964) (986)
Operating Profit 30.212 27.892
Total finance cost 6 (12.831) (13.407)
Total finance income 6 1.006 1.207
Contribution associate companies earnings / losses 6 83 (1.160)
Profit before Tax 18.470 14.532
Income tax 24 (4.179) (4.493)
Net Profit (A) 14.291 10.039
Attributable to :
Equity holders of the parent 14.291 10.039
Net Profit (A) 14.291 10.039
Basic Earnings per Share (in Euro) 25 0,2758 0,1944
Diluted Earnings per Share (in Euro) 25 0,2726 0,1917

Revenue is meant as income from contacts with customers

Statement of Comprehensive Income (Consolidated) for the period 1/1 to 31/12/2018 and 1/1 to 31/12/2017

(In thousands of Euro, unless otherwise stated)

Group
Note 1/1 - 31/12/2018 1/1 - 31/12/2017
Net Profit /(Loss) (A) 14.291 10.039
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
Other comprehensive income transferred to the
income statement
Valuation of financial assets available for sale 0 (204)
Foreign currency translation from foreign operations (1.896) (1.727)
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow
hedges
21,24 (92) 226
Total Other comprehensive income transferred
to the income statement
(1.988) (1.706)
Other comprehensive income not transferred to
the income statement
Actuarial gains (losses) on defined benefit pension
plan
19,24 (42) (94)
Total Other comprehensive income not
transferred to the income statement
(42) (94)
Comprehensive Income/Losses after Tax (B) (2.030) (1.800)
Total Comprehensive Income/(Losses) after
tax (A) + (B)
12.261 8.239
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent
12.261 8.239
Total Comprehensive Income/(Losses) after
tax (A) + (B)
12.261 8.239

Income Statement (Separate) for the period 1/1 to 31/12/2018 and 1/1 to 31/12/2017

(In thousands of Euro, unless otherwise stated)

Company
Note 1/1 - 31/12/2018 1/1 - 31/12/2017
Revenue 6 4.288 4.126
Cost of Goods Sold 6 (4.100) (3.721)
Gross Profit 188 405
Other operating income 6 1.300 836
Administrative expenses 6 (2.856) (2.237)
Depreciation/Amortisation (Administration) (75) (53)
Other operating expenses 6 (31) (34)
Operating Loss (1.474) (1.083)
Total finance cost 6 (2) (2)
Total finance income 6 10 119
Dividends 5.000 5.000
Profit before Tax 3.534 4.033
Income tax 24 (84) (4)
Net Profit (A) 3.450 4.030

Revenue is meant as income from contacts with customers

Statement of Comprehensive Income (Separate) for the period 1/1 to 31/12/2018 and 1/1 to 31/12/2017

(In thousands of Euro, unless otherwise stated)

Company
Note 1/1 - 31/12/2018 1/1 - 31/12/2017
Net Profit /(Loss) (A) 3.450 4.030
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
Other comprehensive income not transferred to
the income statement
Actuarial gains (losses) on defined benefit pension
plan
19,24 (14) (20)
Total other comprehensive income not
transferred to the income statement
(14) (20)
Comprehensive income/(losses) after Tax (B) (14) (20)
Total comprehensive income/(losses) after tax
(A) + (B)
Attributable to :
3.436 4.010
Equity holders of the parent 3.436 4.010
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the
period
3.436 4.010

Statement of Changes in Equity (Consolidated) for the period 1/1 to 31/12/2018 and 1/1 to 31/12/2017

(In thousands of Euro, unless otherwise stated)

Note Share
Capital
Share
premiu
m
reserve
s
Reserve
s
Revalua
tion
Reserve
s
Foreign
exchan
ge diff.
from
Statem
ent of
Financi
al
Position
transl.
reserve
Retained
earnings
/
(Accumul
ated
losses)
Total Non
controll
ing
interest
(b)
Total
Equity
(c)=(a)
+(b)
Balance at 1.1.2017 54.924 12.423 36.613 722 s
(5.569)
64.493 163.605 0 163.605
Total comprehensive income/(loss)
for the period
Profit 0 0 0 0 0 10.039 10.039 0 10.039
Foreign currency translation from foreign
operations
0 0 0 0 (1.695) (32) (1.727) 0 (1.727)
Effective portion of changes in fair value of
cash flow hedges
21,24 0 0 226 0 0 0 226 0 226
Actuarial gains (losses) on defined benefit
pension plan
0 0 0 0 (1) (93) (94) 0 (94)
Valuation of financial assets available for
sale
0 0 (204) 0 0 0 (204) 0 (204)
Total comprehensive income/(loss) 0 0 21 0 (1.696) (125) (1.800) 0 (1.800)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)
after taxes
0 0 21 0 (1.696) 9.914 8.239 0 8.239
Transactions with shareholders
recorded directly in equity
Share Capital Increase
SOP Reserve
304
0
739
0
0
219
0
0
0
0
0
0
1.043
219
0
0
1.043
219
Reserves 0 0 641 0 0 (641) 0 0 0
Net Income directly booked in the 0 (105) 0 0 0 0 (105) 0 (105)
statement movement in Equity
Share Capital Reduction
16 (5.133) 0 0 0 0 0 (5.133) 0 (5.133)
Total transactions with shareholders (4.829) 634 860 0 0 (641) (3.975) 0 (3.975)
Balance at 31.12.2017 50.094 13.057 37.495 722 (7.265) 73.766 167.870 0 167.869
Balance at 1.1.2018 50.094 13.057 37.495 722 (7.265) 73.766 167.870 0 167.869
Effect of adoption of new accounting
standards 23 0 0 0 0 0 (2.098) (2.098) 0 (2.098)
Balance at 1.1.2018 (Restated)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)
for the period
50.094 13.057 37.495 722 (7.265) 71.668 165.772 0 165.771
Profit 0 0 0 0 0 14.291 14.291 0 14.291
Foreign exchange differences 0 0 0 0 (1.896) 0 (1.896) 0 (1.896)
Effective portion of changes in fair value of
cash flow hedges
21,24 0 0 (92) 0 0 0 (92) 0 (92)
Actuarial gains (losses) on defined benefit
pension plan
19,24 0 0 0 0 0 (42) (42) 0 (42)
Total comprehensive income/(loss) 0 0 (92) 0 (1.896) (42) (2.030) 0 (2.030)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)
after taxes
0 0 (92) 0 (1.896) 14.249 12.261 0 12.261
Transactions with shareholders,
recorded directly in equity
Share Capital Increase
SOP Reserve
16
19
2.215
0
388
0
0
372
0
0
0
0
(2.066)
0
537
372
0
0
537
372
Reserves 0 0 217 0 0 (217) 0 0 0
Net Income directly booked in the 0 0 0 0 (33) 0 (33) 0 (33)
statement movement in Equity
Share Capital Reduction
16 (5.164) 0 0 0 0 (0) (5.164) 0 (5.164)
Total transactions with shareholders (2.950) 388 590 0 (33) (2.283) (4.288) 0 (4.288)
Balance at 31.12.2018 47.145 13.445 37.991 722 (9.193) 83.634 173.745 0 173.745

Statement of Changes in Equity (Separate) for the period 1/1 to 31/12/2018 and 1/1 to 31/12/2017

(In thousands of Euro, unless otherwise stated)

Note Share
Capital
Share
premium
reserves
Reserves Retained
earnings /
(Accumulate
Total Equity
(c)=(a)+(b)
d losses)
Balance at 1.1.2017
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the
54.924 12.830 15.187 6.771 89.711
period
Profit 0 0 0 4.030 4.030
Actuarial gains (losses) on defined benefit pension 19,24 0 0 0 (20) (20)
plan
Total comprehensive income/(loss) after 0 0 0 4.010 4.010
taxes
Transactions with shareholders recorded
directly in equity
Share Capital Increase 16 304 739 0 0 1.043
SOP Reserve 0 0 219 0 219
Share Capital Reduction 16 (5.133) 0 0 0 (5.133)
Total transactions with shareholders (4.829) 739 219 0 (3.870)
Balance at 31.12.2017 50.094 13.570 15.406 10.781 89.851
Balance at 1.1.2018 50.094 13.570 15.406 10.781 89.851
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the
period
Profit
0 0 0 3.450 3.450
Actuarial gains (losses) on defined benefit pension
plan 19,24 0 0 0 (14) (14)
Total comprehensive income/(loss) after 0 0 0 3.436 3.436
taxes
Transactions with shareholders, recorded
directly in equity
Share Capital Increase 16 2.215 388 0 (2.066) 537
SOP Reserve
Share Capital Reduction
19
16
0
(5.164)
0
0
372
0
0
0
372
(5.164)
Total transactions with shareholders (2.950) 388 372 (2.066) (4.255)
Balance at 31.12.2018 47.145 13.958 15.778 12.151 89.032

*Capital reduction (Note 16)

Statement of Cash Flows (Consolidated and Separate) for the period 1/1 to 31/12/2018 and 1/1 to 31/12/2017

(In thousands of Euro, unless otherwise stated)

Group Company
Note 1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
Operating Activities
(Loss)/Profit before taxes 18.470 14.532 3.534 4.033
Adjustments for
Depreciation / Amortization
Income on depreciation in fixed subsidy
6 14.057
(150)
13.945
(178)
75
0
53
0
Provisions 883 509 88 58
Foreign exchange differences (70) 842 0 (0)
Results (Income, expenses, profit and loss) from
investment activity (116) (349) (5.010) (5.002)
Interest Expense 11.653 11.851 2 2
Plus/less adj for changes in working
capital related to the operating activities
Decrease / (increase) in inventory
(8.342) (1.418) 0 0
Decrease / (increase) in trade and other
receivables 6.538 (7.808) (373) 37
(Decrease) / increase in liabilities (excluding
banks) 4.541 5.771 108 (1.919)
Less
Interest paid (11.765) (12.634) (2) (2)
Income taxes paid (1.770) (3.021) (1) (0)
Net cash generated from operations (a) 33.930 22.044 (1.579) (2.739)
Investing Activities
Purchase or Share capital increase of
subsidiaries and related companies 10 (5.325) (495) 0 (0)
Purchase of tangible and intangible fixed assets (11.935) (11.663) (123) (166)
Proceeds from disposal of tangible and 36 7 0 0
intangible assets
Addition of other investments
Proceeds from the sale of other investments
(341)
0
(1.252)
1.535
0
0
0
0
Interest Received 121 100 10 3
Proceeds from dividends 0 0 5.000 8.500
Total inflow / (outflow) from investing
activities (b) (17.444) (11.767) 4.887 8.337
Financing Activities
Inflow from share capital increase
537 1.043 537 1.043
Outflow from share capital increase 0 (105) 0 0
Payment for returnal share capital (5.164) (5.133) (5.164) (5.133)
Proceeds from issued loans 21 32.347 65.915 0 0
Repayment of loans 21 (40.341) (67.948) 0 0
Repayment of leasing liabilities (558) (1.000) 0 0
Total inflow / (outflow) from financing
activities (c)
(13.180) (7.227) (4.627) (4.090)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash 3.306 3.049 (1.319) 1.508
equivalents for the period (a)+(b)+(c)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of 36.603 33.616 2.843 1.335
the period
Effect of exchange equivalents at the beginning
of the period (55) (62) 0 0
Closing balance, cash and cash equivalents 39.854 36.603 1.525 2.843

Notes to the annual financial statements (consolidated and separate) as of Dec 31, 2018 and for the year then ended

1. Corporate information

1.1 General Information

FOURLIS HOLDINGS S.A. with the common use title of FOURLIS SA (hereinafter the Company) was incorporated in 1950 as A. FOURLIS AND CO., and from 1966 operated as FOURLIS BROS S.A. (Government Gazette, AE and EPE issue 618/ 13.6.1966). It was renamed to FOURLIS HOLDING S.A. by a decision of an Extraordinary General Shareholders' Assembly on 10/3/2000, which was approved by decision K2 - 3792/ 25.04.2000 of the Ministry of Development. The Shareholders' General Assembly also approved the conversion of the Company to a holding company and thus also approved the change in its scope.

The headquarters of the Company are located at 18-20 Sorou street, Building A Maroussi. It is registered in the Companies Registry of the Ministry of Development with registration number 13110/06/B/86/01 and general electronic commercial registry number 258101000 and web address www.fourlis.gr.

The Company is listed in the Athens Stock Exchange since April 1988.

The Company's term, in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation, was originally set for 30 years. In accordance with a decision of the Extraordinary Assembly of the Shareholders on 19/2/1988, the term was extended for a further 30 years i.e. to 2026.

The current Board of Directors of the parent Company is as follows:

    1. Vassilis St. Fourlis, Chairman, executive member
    1. Dafni A. Fourlis, Vice Chairman, executive member
    1. Eftihios Th. Vassilakis, Independent Vice Chairman, independent non executive member, member of the Audit Committee
    1. Apostolos D. Petalas, CEO, executive member
    1. Lyda St. Fourlis, Director, executive member
    1. Ioannis Ev. Brebos, Director, non executive member, member of the Audit Committee
    1. Pavlos K. Triposkiadis , Director, independent non executive member
    1. David A. Watson, Director, independent non executive member, Chairman of the Audit Committee
    1. Ioannis Ath. Kostopoulos, Director, independent non executive member.

The total number of employees of the Group as at the end of current and previous year was at 4.038 and 3.897 respectively while the total number of employees of the Company on 31/12/2018 was 95 and on 31/12/2017 was 90.

1.2 Activities

The Company's activities are the investment in domestic and foreign companies of all types, regardless their objectives and type.

The Company also provides general administration, financial management and information technology services. The centralization of Group support services for the Group Companies in Greece, mainly in the areas of IT, HR, financial planning and controlling, treasury and corporate social responsibility was implemented, aiming to gain benefits from synergies and to organize central coordination of decision making and implementing.

The Financial Statements include the Company and its subsidiaries (the Group) as presented below:

Name Location % Holding Consolidation
Method
HOUSEMARKET SA Greece 100,00 Full
INTERSPORT ATHLETICS SA Greece 100,00 Full
TRADE LOGISTICS SA* Greece 100,00 Full
RENTIS SA* Greece 100,00 Full
GENCO TRADE SRL Romania 1,57 Full
GENCO TRADE SRL* Romania 98,43 Full
GENCO BULGARIA EOOD* Bulgaria 100,00 Full
HOUSE MARKET BULGARIA AD* Bulgaria 100,00 Full
HM HOUSEMARKET (CYPRUS) LTD* Cyprus 100,00 Full
INTERSPORT ATΗLETICS (CYPRUS) LTD* Cyprus 100,00 Full
WYLDES LIMITED LTD* Cyprus 100,00 Full
INTERSPORT ATLETİK MAĞAZACILIK VE DIŞ TİCARET
A.Ş.*
Turkey 100,00 Full

* Companies in which FOURLIS HOLDINGS S.A. has an indirect participation

Also in Consolidated Financial Statements the below mentioned related companies are included.

Company Location % Holding Consolidation
Method
VYNER LTD* Cyprus 50,00 Net equity
SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPISES LTD* Cyprus 50,00 Net equity

* Companies in which FOURLIS HOLDINGS S.A. has an indirect participation

During the period 1/1 – 31/12/2018 the following share capital changes were realized at the parent company and its direct subsidiaries:

FOURLIS HOLDINGS S.A.:

Following resolutions of the General Assembly of the shareholders of the company held on 15/6/2018 (relevant minutes of the G.A. with number 22/15.06.2018), the share capital of the company a) increased by the amount of € 2.065.747,52 with capitalization, according to the provision of article 71B § 6 L. 4172/2013, of equal amount of the reserve formed in accordance with L. 2065/1992 from shares distribution after capitalization of goodwill which arised from property revaluation of subsidiaries or other companies in which the Company has a shareholding and increase of the nominal value of the share by the amount of € 0,04, and b) decreased by the amount of € 5.164.368,80 with reduction of nominal value of each share by the amount of € 0,10 and corresponding capital return to shareholders.

The aforementioned change was registered to the General Electronic Commercial Registry (GECR) on 27/6/2018 (Code Registration Number 1411661), with the relevant 1196323/27.06.2018 announcement issued by the Minister of Finance and Development.

Under the context of the previous Stock Option Plan which was approved and established by the resolution of the Extraordinary General Assembly of the shareholders on 27/9/2013 (Stock Option Plan – hereinafter "the Program"), within the year 2018, 163.626 options were exercised (hereinafter "the Options"). Following the resolution of the Board of Directors on 17/12/2018 (relevant minutes of the BoD with number 400/17.12.2018), the exercise of the aforementioned options from the corresponding beneficiaries of the Program was certified by payment of the exercise price of the new shares.

It is noted that the underlying value of the shares to which the remaining stock options reflect, was initially determined at the amount of €3,40 per share, which was the stock closing price of the share on the date of the resolution of the General Assembly for the SOP (27/9/2013). Already, the resolutions 20/11/2017 and 19/11/2018 of the BoD (relevant minutes of the G.A. with number 389/20.11.2017 and 399/19.11.2018) resulted to the readjustment of the historical share price of the Company and therefore the implemented exercise price of stock options of the SOP is € 3,2823 per share.

Following the certification of the payment of the exercise price of the Stock Options by their beneficiaries, namely the amount of € 537.069,61, 163.626 new common nominal shares were issued and delivered to the corresponding beneficiaries of the Program, of nominal value € 0,91 per share, while the share capital of the Company increased by the amount of € 148.899,66 which reflects to the nominal value of the new shares. Moreover, following the exercise of the aforementioned Options by payment of the exercise value, namely € 3,2823 per share according to the aforementioned, the share premium, of total amount € 388.169,95, was transferred to "Share Premium reserve".

The aforementioned change was registered to the General Electronic Commercial Registry (GECR) on 22/1/2019 (Code Registration Number 1638212), with the relevant 7785/22.01.2019 announcement issued by the Minister of Finance and Development.

Following these changes, the share capital of the Company now amounts to € 47.144.655,74 divided into 51.807.314 shares of nominal value € 0,91 per share, totally paid.

During the period 1/1 – 31/12/2018, no share capital changes were realized at the direct subsidiaries of the Company.

It must be noted that on 8/12/2017, the sale of the percentage (49,55%) of the associated company SPEEDEX S.A. to the third company SFAKIANAKIS S.A. was announced. This action was included in the Group's strategy regarding the focus on the main retail activities of home furniture and household goods (IKEA Stores) and sporting goods (INTERSPORT and TAF Stores).

It must also be noted that on 28/2/2019, Hellenic Capital Market Commission announced the granting of license to the Group company under formation "TRADE ESTATES REAL ESTATES INVESTMENT COMPANY", for its operation as a) a Real Estate Investment Company according to the provisions of L. 2778/1999 and b) an internally managed Alternative Investments Fund Manager ("AIFM") according to the provisions of L. 4209/2013.

2. Basis of presentation of the Financial Statements

2.1. Basis of preparation

The accompanying Financial Statements consist of the separate financial statements of the parent Company and the consolidated financial statements of the Group and have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the European Union. The Board of Directors approved the accompanying financial statements for the year ended on December 31 2018, on March 18, 2019. These financial statements are subject to the approval of the General Assembly of the Company's shareholders.

The accompanying separate and consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for certain data of Assets and Liabilities (investment properties, financial hedging instruments, investments/financial assets available for sale) that have been measured at fair value, and assuming that the Company and its subsidiaries will continue as a going concern. All amounts are presented in thousands of Euro, unless otherwise stated and any differentiations in sums are due to rounding.

2.2. Significant accounting judgments and estimates

The preparation of financial statements based on IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of

contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Estimates are based on management's previous experience including expectations of future events under normal conditions. The aforementioned judgments, estimates and assumptions are periodically re - assessed in order to be in line with current available data and reflect current risks.

When applying the Group's accounting policies, management has made the following judgments, estimates and assumptions that may have a significant impact on the items reported in the financial statements:

Estimates:

  • Deferred Tax assets: deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which the deductible temporary differences and the carry forward unused tax losses can be utilized. The recognition of deferred tax assets requires significant judgments and estimates to be made in relation to the future activities and prospects of the Group companies and as to the level and timing of future taxable profits (Note 3.20 and 24 of Financial Statements).
  • Fair Values of investment properties: the Group carries its investment properties at fair values as determined by independent appraising firms. Τhe fair values of investment properties are assessed on an annual basis. The determination of the fair values of properties requires assumptions with respect to future cash flows from rents with the use of DCF (Note 3.8 and 8 of Financial Statements).
  • Impairment test of investments in subsidiaries: at each reporting date, the Parent Company examines whether there are impairment indicators in relation to its investments in subsidiaries. Such assessment requires management to make significant judgements with respect to the existence of internal or external factors and the extent to which they affect the recoverable amount of these investments. If impairment indicators exist, the Company determines the recoverable amount of these investments. The determination of the recoverable amount requires estimates to be made with respect to the expected future cash flows of the investment, the business plans of the subsidiaries, and the determination of the applicable discount and growth rates. (Note 10 of Financial Statements).
  • Impairment test of property, plant and equipment: property, plant and equipment is constantly tested in order to define if there are indications which show that its book value is incorrect. The Group considers, for impairment test purposes, that each store is a cash generating unit (CGU). In cases that property, plant and equipment is part of CGU, such as the store and there are impairment indications which could lead to the conclusion that its book value is incorrect, the recoverable amount of the CGU is determined by the calculation of value in use. Value in use is calculated by implementing the cash flow discount method, taking into consideration Management's estimations and any contingent impairment is determined by the comparison of

book value and value in use (Note 7 of Financial Statements).

  • Useful lives of property plant and equipment: Management makes estimates when determining the useful lives of depreciable assets. Such estimates are periodically reviewed. The useful lives estimated and applied are discussed in Note 3.7 and 3.9.
  • Post retirement benefits to personnel: post retirement obligations are determined using actuarial valuations. An actuarial valuation involves making various assumptions which may differ from actual developments in the future. These include the determination of a discount rate, future salary increases, disability rates, mortality rates and departure rates. Due to the complexity of the valuation and the basic assumptions included therein, a defined benefit obligation is highly sensitive to changes in these assumptions. Actuarial gains and losses that result from the difference among the actuarial assumptions are recognized directly in Equity. Such actuarial assumptions are periodically reviewed by Management. Further details are provided in Note 19.
  • Share-based Payments: Estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions requires determination of the most appropriate valuation model, which depends on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determination of the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of the share option or appreciation right, volatility and dividend yield and making assumptions about them. The assumptions and models used for estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions are disclosed in Note 19 of the Financial Statements.

Judgments:

  • Provisions for impaired receivables: provisions of impaired receivables are based on the historical data of receivables and take into consideration the expected credit risk. The analysis of impaired receivables of Statement of Financial Position is included in Note 13 of Financial Statements.
  • Provisions for slow moving goods: Inventory turnover ratio is tested regularly and provisions are made for the slow moving goods, underestimated goods which will be written-off within the next period, estimations for seasonality of goods and estimation for future sale price which are presented in Note 12 of Financial Statements.
  • Revenue from contracts with customers: The Group estimates the fair value of non-redeemed points by using historical data and by assessing exercise possibility.

2.3 Changes in accounting policies and disclosures

The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the previous financial year except for the following amended IFRSs which have been adopted by the Group and /Company as of 1 January 2018.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

The final version of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments reflects all phases of the financial instruments project and replaces IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement and all previous

versions of IFRS 9. The standard introduces new requirements for classification and measurement, impairment, and hedge accounting. Management of the Company and Group has made an assessment of the effect of the standard and does not expect significant impact on the financial statements. The assessment is based on non-existence of: financial assets available for sale and cases of customers' impairment. Regarding hedge accounting, on 1/1/2018 (implementation date of the standard) the only existing hedge relation of the Group can be characterized as ongoing and therefore the implementation of the new standard has not a significant impact on its financial statements.

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers

IFRS 15 establishes a five-step model which applies for income earned from a contract with a customer (with limited exceptions), regardless the transaction or industry type. Moreover, the standard is implemented for the recognition and calculation of earnings or losses from the sale of financial assets which are not included in ordinary activities of the Group (e.g. sales of property, plant and equipment or intangible assets). Entities are required to allocate the transaction price from contracts to performance obligations, based on independent sale prices, based on the five step model. Afterwards, the income is recognized when the entity satisfies performance obligations, namely when it transfers the goods or services determined by the contract to the customer.

Since 1/1/2018 the Group adopted the new standard by implementing the modified retrospective adoption without any readjustment to comparative information. Therefore, any cumulative impact of the initial implementation of the new standard, is recognized as adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings (or other amount of net equity, as appropriate) on 1/1/2018. The impact from the implementation of the new standard on the consolidated financial statements is presented in income and liabilities. More specifically, the cumulative readjustment of retained earnings from the adoption of the standard amounts to € 2.098 th. while, the impact on revenue of the year 2018 amounts to € 263 th. For the Group, the total liability arising from customers' loyalty program amounts to € 2.852 th. on 31/12/2018 (€ 2.589 on 1/1/2018).

The new standard is based on the principle that the income is recognized when control of a product or service is transferred to the customer. The Group operates in retail trading of furniture and household goods and sporting goods. According to IFRS 15, Revenue from contracts with customers, the Group recognizes revenue when control of the products is transferred, being when the products are delivered to the customer. Therefore, the adoption of IFRS 15 did not have an impact at the time of the revenue recognition. Net sales revenue is measured at fair value of the amount received. Net sales revenue excludes amounts collected by third parties such as value added taxes (VAT), as these are not included in the transaction price.

However, future discounts related to customer loyalty programs of the Group's companies create a

right which must be recognized when exercised or expired, only if it is considered substantial and the customer would not acquire it if the initial transaction was not implemented. The Group provides discounts to its customers based on the points gathered from transactions made by using the customer loyalty program card. All these discounts are settled within 18 to 24 months depending on the program. According to the requirements of the standard, the Group estimates that these discounts represent substantial right for customers, create obligation for execution and therefore part of the income of each transaction which corresponds to this right will be recognized when exercised (fulfilment of obligation) or expired. IFRS 15 neither excludes nor defines a specific methodology for the estimation of the price of the point gathered as long as the estimation composes a reliable reflection of the price at which the Group would provide separately this product to the customer.

IFRS 15: Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Clarifications)

The objective of the clarifications is to clarify the IASB's intentions when developing the requirements of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, regarding (a) the accounting of identifying performance obligations amending the wording of the "separately identifiable" principle, (b) principal versus agent considerations including the assessment of whether an entity is a principal or an agent as well as applications of control principle and (c) licensing providing additional guidance for accounting of intellectual property and royalties. The clarifications also provide additional practical expedients for entities that either apply IFRS 15 fully retrospectively or that elect to apply the modified retrospective approach.

IFRS 2: Classification and Measurement of Share based Payment Transactions (Amendments)

The Amendments provide requirements on the accounting of (a) the effects of vesting and nonvesting conditions on the measurement of cash-settled share-based payments, (b) share-based payment transactions with a net settlement feature for withholding tax obligations and (c) modifications to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment that changes the classification of the transaction from cash-settled to equity-settled. Management does not expect that the amendment has an impact on the Group's companies.

IAS 40: Transfers to Investment Property (Amendments)

The Amendments clarify when an entity should transfer property, including property under construction or development into, or out of investment property. The Amendments state that a change in use occurs when the property meets, or ceases to meet, the definition of investment property and there is evidence of the change in use. A mere change in management's intentions for the use of a property does not provide evidence of a change in use. Management does not expect that the amendment has an impact on the Group's companies.

IFRIC INTERPETATION 22: Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration

The Interpretation clarifies the accounting for transactions that include the receipt or payment of advance consideration in a foreign currency. The Interpretation covers foreign currency transactions when an entity recognizes a non-monetary asset or a non-monetary liability arising from the payment or receipt of advance consideration before the entity recognizes the related asset, expense or income. The Interpretation states that the date of the transaction, for the purpose of determining the exchange rate, is the date of initial recognition of the non-monetary prepayment asset or deferred income liability. If there are multiple payments or receipts in advance, then the entity must determine a date of the transactions for each payment or receipt of advance consideration. Management does not expect that the amendment has an impact on the Group's companies.

  • The IASB has issued the Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2014 – 2016 Cycle, which is a collection of amendments to IFRSs. Management does not expect that the amendment has an impact on the Group's companies.
  • IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures: The amendments clarify that the election to measure at fair value through profit or loss an investment in an associate or a joint venture that is held by an entity that is venture capital organization, or other qualifying entity, is available for each investment in an associate or joint venture on an investment-byinvestment basis, upon initial recognition.

Standards issued but not yet effective and not early adopted by the Company/Group

The Group has not adopted any of the following standards, interpretations or amendments which have been published but are not implemented in the current accounting period. Moreover, the Group has assessed all standards, interpretations or amendments which have been published but not implemented in the current period and concluded that except for IFRS 16, which is analysed later, there will not be a significant impact on the financial statements from their implementation.

IFRS 16: Leases

The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. IFRS 16 sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract, i.e. the customer ('lessee') and the supplier ('lessor').

IFRS 16 replaces the current accounting treatment of leases based on IAS 17 Leases, IFRIC 4 Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease, SIC 15 Operating Leases – Incentives and SIC 27 Evaluating the Substance of Transactions in the Legal Form of a Lease.

The new standard requires lessees to recognize most leases on their financial statements. Lessees will have a single accounting model for all leases, with certain exemptions. Lessor accounting is

substantially unchanged. More specifically, IFRS 16 introduces a single presentation model of all leases at the Statement of Financial Position of all companies. The lessee will have to recognize a right of use which will represent its obligation to pay the relative leases. The standard provides exceptions for current leases and leases of assets of low value. Accounting treatment of leases for lessors remains the same with the currently existing standard, namely the lessors will continue to classify their leases at financial and operating.

The Group has appointed to a project team the assessment of all active leasing contracts under the context of IFRS 16 requirements, within the prior year. The standard is expected to affect mainly the accounting treatment of the Group's operating leasing. The Management of the Group assessed the impact of the initial implementation of the standard on its consolidated financial statements. Particularly, the Group disclosed all information which had knowledge of or could estimate with accuracy at the time of their conduction, regarding the impact of IFRS 16 on its financial statements upon its initial implementation, as analysed below:

The actual impact of the adoption of the standard on 1/1/2019 could be different from the initial estimation due to the fact that the Group / Company has not yet completed the assessment and test of the new IT systems which will be used.

Transition to the new standard

The Group will implement for the first time IFRS 16 on 1/1/2019 by using the modified retrospective approach. Based on this approach the Group:

  • Will recognize a liability which will be measured at present value as resulted from the discounting of leases remaining to be paid, with the extra loan interest rate that was in force on the date of the initial implementation.
  • Will recognize an asset right of use, by measuring this right to an amount which will equal to the respective liability which will be recognized.

Any impact of the implementation will be registered as adjustment in retained earnings on 1/1/2019, without any amendment at comparative information.

The Group will also use the exception provided by the standard regarding the determination of leases. This practically means that the requirements of IFRS 16 will be implemented at all contracts which were in force on 1/1/2019 and had been recognized as leasing based on IAS 17 and IFRIC 4.

In addition, the Group will use exceptions of the standard regarding leasing with remaining duration less than 12 months upon the date of the initial implementation of the standard and low value asset leasing.

Also, the Group decided to implement a single discount interest rate at every leasing category with similar characteristics (such as leasing with respective duration, similar assets and respective economic environment).

Transition to the new standard where the Group is the Lessee

The Group will recognize new assets and liabilities for operating leasing of Stores, office buildings, cars and equipment. After the initial recognition the Group will:

  • Measure the rights of use for assets and depreciate them with fixed rate for the whole duration of the lease.
  • Measure the respective liability, by increasing and decreasing the open balance with a way that reflects interest and payments of leases respectively.

Before the implementation of the standard, the Group recognized operating leasing expenses during the leasing.

Based on available information and following the completion of the aforementioned implementation tasks, the Group estimates that it will recognize further leasing liabilities of amount from € 120 million to € 130 million on 1/1/2019 and equal rights of use for assets. The estimated impact on Group's EBITDA is expected to be an increase between € 19 million and € 24 million. The Group does not expect an impact from the implementation of the new standard on its capability to serve the terms of its loans.

IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements and IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures – Amendment : Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture

The amendments address an acknowledged inconsistency between the requirements in IFRS 10 and those in IAS 28, in dealing with the sale or contribution of assets between an investor and its associate or joint venture. The main consequence of the amendments is that a full gain or loss is recognized when a transaction involves a business (whether it is housed in a subsidiary or not). A partial gain or loss is recognized when a transaction involves assets that do not constitute a business, even if these assets are housed in a subsidiary. In December 2015 the IASB postponed the effective date of this amendment indefinitely pending the outcome of its research project on the equity method of accounting. The amendments have not yet been endorsed by the EU.

IFRS 9: Prepayment features with negative compensation (Amendment)

The Amendment is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019 with earlier application permitted. The Amendment allows financial assets with prepayment features that

permit or require a party to a contract either to pay or receive reasonable compensation for the early termination of the contract (so that, from the perspective of the holder of the asset there may be 'negative compensation'), to be measured at amortized cost or at fair value through other comprehensive income. Management of the Group and Company does not expect that the amendment will have an impact on the financial statements.

IAS 28: Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures (Amendments)

The Amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019 with earlier application permitted. The Amendments relate to whether the measurement, in particular impairment requirements, of long term interests in associates and joint ventures that, in substance, form part of the 'net investment' in the associate or joint venture should be governed by IFRS 9, IAS 28 or a combination of both. The Amendments clarify that an entity applies IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, before it applies IAS 28, to such long-term interests for which the equity method is not applied. In applying IFRS 9, the entity does not take account of any adjustments to the carrying amount of long- term interests that arise from applying IAS 28. These Amendments have not yet been endorsed by the EU.

IFRIC INTERPETATION 23: Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

The Interpretation is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019 with earlier application permitted. The Interpretation addresses the accounting for income taxes when tax treatments involve uncertainty, during the accounting treatment of income taxes. The Interpretation provides further guidance on considering uncertain tax treatments separately or together, examination by tax authorities, the appropriate method to reflect uncertainty and accounting for changes in facts and circumstances. Management assesses the impact on the Group's companies.

IAS 19: Plan Amendment, Curtailment or Settlement (Amendments)

The Amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019 with earlier application permitted. The Amendments require entities to use updated actuarial assumptions to determine current service cost and net interest for the remainder of the annual reporting period after a plan amendment, curtailment or settlement has occurred. The Amendments also clarify how the accounting for a plan amendment, curtailment or settlement affects applying the asset ceiling requirements. These Amendments have not yet been endorsed by the EU.

Conceptual Framework in IFRS standards

The IASB issued the revised Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting on 29 March 2018. The Conceptual Framework sets out a comprehensive set of concepts for financial reporting, standard setting, guidance for preparers in developing consistent accounting policies and assistance to others in their efforts to understand and interpret the standards. IASB also issued a separate accompanying document, Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards, which sets out the amendments to affected standards in order to update references to the revised Conceptual Framework. Its objective is to support transition to the revised Conceptual

Framework for companies that develop accounting policies using the Conceptual Framework when no IFRS Standard applies to a particular transaction. For preparers who develop accounting policies based on the Conceptual Framework, it is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020.

IFRS 3: Business Combinations (Amendments)

The IASB issued amendments in Definition of a Business (Amendments to IFRS 3) aimed at resolving the difficulties that arise when an entity determines whether it has acquired a business or a group of assets. The Amendments are effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is in the first annual reporting period beginning on or after 1 January 2020 and to asset acquisitions that occur on or after the beginning of that period, with earlier application permitted. These Amendments have not yet been endorsed by the EU.

IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors: Definition of 'material' (Amendments)

The Amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020 with earlier application permitted. The Amendments clarify the definition of material and how it should be applied. The new definition states that, 'Information is material if omitting, misstating or obscuring it could reasonably be expected to influence decisions that the primary users of general purpose financial statements make on the basis of those financial statements, which provide financial information about a specific reporting entity'. In addition, the explanations accompanying the definition have been improved. The Amendments also ensure that the definition of material is consistent across all IFRS Standards. These Amendments have not yet been endorsed by the EU.

  • The IASB has issued the Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2015 – 2017 Cycle, which is a collection of amendments to IFRSs. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019 with earlier application permitted. These annual improvements have not yet been endorsed by the EU.
  • IFRS 3 Business Combinations and IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements: The amendments to IFRS 3 clarify that when an entity obtains control of a business that is a joint operation, it remeasures previously held interests in that business. The amendments to IFRS 11 clarify that when an entity obtains joint control of a business that is a joint operation, the entity does not remeasure previously held interests in that business.
  • IAS 12 Income Taxes: The amendments clarify that the income tax consequences of payments on financial instruments classified as equity should be recognized according to where the past transactions or events that generated distributable profits has been recognized.

IAS 23 Borrowing Costs: The amendments clarify paragraph 14 of the standard that, when a qualifying asset is ready for its intended use or sale, and some of the specific borrowing related to that qualifying asset remains outstanding at that point, that borrowing is to be included in the funds that an entity borrows generally.

3. Summary of significant accounting policies

The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the following accounting principles:

3.1. Basis of Consolidation

Consolidated Financial Statements comprise of the financial statements of the Company and all subsidiaries controlled by the Company directly or indirectly. Control exists when the parent company has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

The subsidiaries' financial statements are prepared as of the same reporting date and using the same accounting policies as the parent company. Intra - group transactions (including investments in related companies), balances and unrealized gains are eliminated. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date that control commences and cease to be consolidated from the date that control is transferred out of the Group. Losses within a subsidiary are attributed to the non - controlling interest even if that results in a deficit balance. A change in the ownership interest of a subsidiary, without a loss of control, is accounted for as an equity transaction. The financial results of subsidiaries, that are acquired or sold within the year, are included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income from or up to the date of acquisition or sale, respectively.

Certain of the above - mentioned requirements were applied on a prospective basis based on the revised IAS 27 and therefore the following differences are carried forward in certain instances from the previous basis of consolidation:

  • Acquisitions of non controlling interests, prior to January 1, 2010, were accounted for using the parent entity extension method, whereby, the difference between the consideration and the book value of the share of net assets acquired were recognized as goodwill.
  • Losses incurred by the Group were attributed to the non controlling interest until the balance was reduced to nil. Any further excess losses were attributed to the parent, unless the non controlling interest had a binding obligation to cover these.

3.2. Business Combinations and Goodwill

Business Combination is a transaction or another event during which an acquirer takes over control of one or more businesses. A Business is a combination of activities and assets that can be leaded and managed in order to return profits directly to its owners.

If the acquired assets do not compose a business, the transaction or any other fact are accounted as an acquisition of an asset and the acquisition cost is allocated among assets and liabilities based on

the relative fair values during the acquisition date.

Business Combination is accounted for using acquisition method. The cost of acquisition of a subsidiary is the fair value of the assets contributed, the shares issued and the liabilities assumed at the transaction date, plus the amount of any non - controlling interest in the acquiree. For each business combination, the acquirer measures the non - controlling interest in the acquiree either at fair value or at the proportionate share of the acquiree's identifiable net asset. Acquisition costs are expensed when incurred.

If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair values of the net identifiable assets acquired, the difference is recorded directly to the income statement.

Goodwill arising from subsidiaries' acquisitions is recorded as an intangible asset. Goodwill is not amortized but at least annually is subject to impairment test. As a result, after initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost, less any impairment losses. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each cash generating unit that is expected to benefit from the combination. The impairment test is performed by comparing the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit to its carrying value including the allocated goodwill. The recoverable amount is the higher of the fair value less costs to sell and the value in use. The value in use is determined via a discounted cash flow analysis. Impairment losses relating to goodwill cannot be reversed in future periods.

Gains or losses arising from the disposal of subsidiaries are determined after taking into account the goodwill allocated to the disposed unit.

3.3 Investments in subsidiaries

In the separate financial statements of the parent Company, investments in subsidiaries are accounted for at cost, less any impairment in value. Impairment tests are carried out when there are clear indicators of impairment, in accordance with IAS 36 "Impairment of Assets".

3.4 Investments in associates

Associates are those entities, in which the Group has significant influence but which are neither a subsidiary nor a joint venture of the Group. A percentage holding from 20% to 50% implies significant influence. Such percentage holding indicates that company is an associate. Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method based on which the investment is carried at cost plus postacquisition changes in the Group's share of net assets of the associate, less provisions for any impairment in value. Goodwill arising upon the acquisition of associates is included in the value of investment, while any negative goodwill is recorded in the income statement upon acquisition.

The Group's share in the gains or losses of associates after acquisition is recognized in the statement of comprehensive income, while post - acquisition movements in reserves are recognized directly in reserves.

In applying the equity method of accounting, the Group appropriately adjusts the financial statements of those associates who are not applying IFRS so as to comply with IFRS and be uniform with the accounting policies of the Group. Unrealized gains on transactions between the Group and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Group's interest in the associates. Unrealized losses are eliminated, unless the transaction provides evidence of impairment of the transferred asset.

When the Group's participation to the associate's losses equals or exceeds its interest in an associate, including any other bad debts, the Group does not recognize further losses, unless it has any liabilities or made payments on behalf of the associate and generally those arising from the ownership status. In the separate financial statements of the Parent Company, investments in associates are accounted for at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

3.5 Segment information

The Board of Directors of the Company is the chief operating decision maker and monitors internal financial reporting information in order to evaluate the performance of the Company and the Group and to take decisions about resource allocation.

Management has defined its segments based on these internal reports according to IFRS 8. The operating segments are defined as those business segments where the Group is active and on which the internal information system of the Group is based.

For the categorization by business segment, the following has been taken into account:

  • the nature of products and services,
  • quantitative limitations, required by IFRS 8.

According to the aforementioned, the Group presents information by operating segment as follows (Note 5):

  • Retail Trading of Home Furniture and Household Goods (IKEA stores).
  • Retail Trading of Sporting Goods (INTERSPORT and TAF stores).

3.6 Foreign currency translation

(a) Functional currency and reporting currency

The companies of the Group maintain their books in the currency of the financial environment in which each company operates (functional currency). The consolidated financial statements are presented in Euro's which is the functional currency of the parent Company.

(b) Transactions and balances

Transactions in foreign currencies are converted to the functional currency according to the foreign exchange rates ruling at the date of the transaction. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the reporting date

are recognized in the statement of comprehensive income. Foreign exchange differences on nonmonetary items carried at fair value are considered as part of the fair value of those items and are recorded together with the fair value adjustments.

(c) Foreign Group Companies

Each entity in the Group determines its own functional currency and items included in the financial statements of each entity are measured using the functional currency. The translation of the financial statements of the Group's companies which use a different functional currency from the parent company is performed as follows:

  • Assets and liabilities are translated to Euro at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the date of the Statement of Financial Position.
  • Equity is translated at historic rates.
  • Income and expenses are translated using the average foreign exchange rate of the period and on an annual base according to the average foreign exchange rate of the last twelve (12) months.
  • The resulting foreign exchange differences (gains/losses) are recognized in other comprehensive income and in Foreign Exchange differences from Statement of Financial Position translation Reserve. When subsidiaries operating in foreign countries are sold, accumulated foreign exchange differences existing in the Foreign Exchange differences from Statement of Financial Position translation Reserve are recognized to the statement of income as gains or losses from investments sales.

Goodwill and adjustments to fair values upon an acquisition of a foreign operation are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign operation and are translated at the closing rate of the date of the Statement of Financial Position and foreign exchange differences are recognized in equity.

3.7 Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are measured, by category, as follows:

  • All categories of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses.
  • Cost includes all directly attributable costs for the acquisition of the items of property, plant and equipment. These costs include borrowing costs of loans drawn to finance the acquisition or construction of assets which are capitalized until the date when the assets are ready for their intended use.

Significant additions and improvements are recognized as part of the cost of the asset when the recognition criteria are met. All other costs (repairs and maintenance) are recognized in the statement of comprehensive income as an expense as incurred.

Upon disposal of an item of property, plant and equipment, the difference between the consideration received and the carrying value is recorded as gain or loss in the Income Statement.

Depreciation is calculated on a straight - line basis over the estimated useful economic life of the assets. Useful lives are reviewed on an annual basis.

The estimated useful lives of the Group's property plant and equipment, except of the land that is not depreciated, are as follows:

Category Useful life
Buildings - Building installations (owned premises) 10 - 40 years
Buildings on third party land 10 – 36 years
Machinery and equipment 9 - 10 years
Motor vehicles 6 - 9 years
Miscellaneous equipment 4 - 10 years

Owner - occupied buildings or buildings whose use has not yet been determined and which are under construction are recorded at cost less any impairment losses. This cost includes professional compensations and borrowing costs. The depreciation of that owner - occupied buildings begins from the time the buildings are ready for use.

3.8 Investment property

Investment property is measured initially at cost, including transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, investment property is stated at fair value, which is evaluated annually. In case of owner occupation, the investment property is derecognized and transferred to property, plant and equipment at fair value on the transfer date. The carrying value of investment property reflects the market conditions at the reporting date. Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair values of investment property fair value are recognized in the Income Statement of the period they occur.

3.9 Intangible assets

The intangible assets of the Group (excluding goodwill) are depreciated over their useful life which is annually reviewed.

Royalties

Trademarks and licenses are valued at cost less amortization. Amortization is charged to the statement of comprehensive income on a straight - line basis over the estimated useful lives, which have been determined from 5 to 20 years.

Software - Other intangible assets

Software licenses are valued at cost less amortization. Amortization is charged on a straight - line basis over the estimated useful lives and the depreciation rate is 15%.

Expenditure on development and maintenance of software is expensed as incurred. Expenditure of development activities for the production of new or substantially improved software (in - house developments), is recognized as intangible assets when the following criteria are met: a) when a specific asset is created, b) when it can be demonstrated that the intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefits and c) when the expenditures of development can be measured reliably. Such expenditures include also labor costs and an appropriate proportion of overheads. In case of software replacement, while the old one is no longer in use, intangible asset is permanently deleted from the Books and the net book value burdens the income statement.

Costs incurred for performing software upgrades, are capitalized and the new gross value forms the depreciable amount.

3.10 Impairment of non - financial assets except Goodwill

Property, plant and equipment is constantly tested in order to define if there are indications which show that its book value does not exceed recoverable value or is not representative. The Group considers, for impairment test purposes, that each store is a cash generating unit (CGU). In cases that property, plant and equipment is part of CGU, such as the store and there are impairment indications which could lead to the conclusion that its book value does not exceed recoverable value or is not representative, the recoverable amount of the CGU is determined by the calculation of value in use. Value in use is calculated by implementing the cash flow discount method, taking into consideration Management's estimations and any contingent impairment is determined by the comparison of book value and value in use.

The carrying amounts of the Group's assets are reviewed for possible impairment when there is indication that the book value can't be recovered i.e. when the book value is higher than the recoverable amount from their use or sale.

The recoverable value is the greater of the fair value less costs to sell and the value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre - tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. If the recoverable value is less than the carrying value, then the net book value is reduced to the recoverable value.

Impairment losses are expensed as incurred in the Statement of Income, except if the asset has been revalued, then the impairment loss reduces the related revaluation reserve. An assessment is made at each reporting date as to whether there is any indication that previously recognized impairment losses may no longer exists of have decreased. If such indication exists, the Group estimates the asset's recoverable amount. When in a subsequent period, the impairment loss should be reversed; the carrying value of the asset is increased to the level of the revised estimation of recoverable amount. The new net book value should not exceed the net book value that would have been determined if the impairment losses had not been accounted in previous periods.

3.11 Financial instruments – initial recognition and measurement

A financial instrument consists of every agreement that creates a financial asset in a business and a financial liability or equity instrument in another business.

Initial recognition and measurement

The Group's financial instruments are classified at initial recognition in the following categories based on the substance of the agreement and the purpose for which they were acquired:

i) Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

Such financial assets, represent assets, which satisfy any of the following conditions:

  • Financial assets held for trading (including derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments in hedging relationships, those that are acquired or created in order to be sold or re acquired and those which form part of a portfolio of recognized financial means).
  • Financial assets designated as at fair value through other comprehensive income on initial recognition.

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss are carried in the statement of financial position at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

ii) Loans and Receivables

Loans and receivables are non - derivative financial instruments with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in active market. This category does not include:

  • Receivables from advances for the purchase of goods or services,
  • Receivables resulting from tax transactions imposed by law,
  • Any item not dealt with by an agreement giving the right to an entity to collect cash or other financial assets.

Loans and receivables are included in current liabilities/ assets, except of those whose maturity extends beyond twelve (12) months after the reporting date and which are classified as non - current liabilities/ assets. After initial measurement, such financial assets are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method, less impairment. Gains and losses are recognized in income when the loans and receivables are derecognized or impaired, as well as through the amortization process.

iii) Held - to - maturity Investments

Non - derivative financial items with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturities are classified as held - to - maturity when the Group has the intent and ability to hold to term to maturity. After initial measurement, held - to - maturity investments are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less impairment. Gains and losses are recognized in income when the loans and receivables are derecognized or impaired, as well as through the amortization process.

iv) Available - for - sale financial assets

Available for sale financial assets which are classified under this category or which cannot be classified under any of the three preceding categories. Financial assets available for sales are valued at fair value and the unrealized gains or losses are recognized as other comprehensive income in a reserve under equity until the item is sold or impaired. At the date of sale or impairment, the gains or losses are transferred to the statement of comprehensive income. Impairment losses on equity investments are not reversed through the income statement.

Purchases and sales of investments are recognized on trade date, which is the date that the Group commits to purchase or sell the item. Investments are initially recorded at fair value plus, in the case of investments not at fair value through profit and loss, directly attributable transactions costs. Investments are derecognized when the right to the cash flows of the investment expire or are transferred and the Group has substantially transferred all the risks and rewards related to the ownership of the investment.

The fair values of financial assets, which are traded on active markets, are determined by reference to quoted prices. The fair value of financial assets not traded on active markets is determined by using valuation techniques such as use of recent arm's length transactions, reference to other instruments that are substantially the same and discounted cash flow analysis.

Subsequent measurement

For purposes of subsequent measurement, financial assets are classified at the following categories:

  • Financial assets which are measured at fair value through results.
  • Financial assets at amortized cost (securities).
  • Financial assets which are measured at fair value through comprehensive income without recycling cumulative profit and loss during de-recognition.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

IFRS 9 inducts new requirements for recognition, classification and measurement of financial assets and liabilities, impairment and general hedge accounting.

Classification and measurement of financial assets:

According to IFRS 9, financial assets are measured at fair value plus, in the case of financial assets not measured at fair value through profit and loss (Fair Value through Profit and Loss – FVPL), the transaction cost. Debt instruments are measured subsequently at fair value, through profit and loss, at amortized cost or fair value through other comprehensive income (Fair Value through Other Comprehensive Income – FVOCI). Classification criteria of financial assets are two: a) business model of financial assets management implemented by the Group and b) the financial asset (as a whole) give rise to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amounts outstanding ( SPPI test - Solely Payments for Principal and Interest).

On 1/1/2018 the Management of the Group, valuated which business models are in force for the Group's financial assets and classified its debt instruments at amortized cost. Indicatively, its financial

instruments consist of trade receivables, investments in term deposits and treasury bills.

Other financial assets are classified and subsequently measured as follows:

Group's investments in equity instruments are classified at fair value through other comprehensive income, without re-recognition of earnings or losses in profit and loss with the de-recognition. The Group's aims to maintain these equity instruments for the near future and irrevocably decided to classify them at fair value through other comprehensive income after the initial recognition or transaction. According to IFRS 9, equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income are not subject to impairment test. According to IAS 39, the Group's investments in equity instruments had been classified as available for sale financial assets.

Financial assets are classified at fair value through profit and loss.

3.12 Impairment of financial assets

The Group assesses at each reporting date whether a financial asset or group of financial assets is impaired.

Assets carried at amortized cost

If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss on loans and receivables carried at amortized cost has incurred, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows (excluding future credit losses that have not been incurred) discounted at the financial asset's original effective interest rate (i.e. the effective interest rate computed at initial recognition). The carrying amount of the asset is reduced either through deletion or through use of an allowance account.

The amount of the loss is recognized in profit or loss. The Group first assesses whether objective evidence of impairment exists individually for financial assets that are individually significant, and individually or collectively for financial assets that are not individually significant. If it is determined that no objective evidence of impairment exists for an individually assessed financial asset, whether significant or not, the asset is included in a group of financial assets with similar credit risk characteristics and that group of financial assets is collectively assessed for impairment.

Assets that are individually assessed for impairment and for which an impairment loss is or continues to be recognized are not included in a collective assessment of impairment. If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognized, the previously recognized impairment loss is reversed. Any subsequent reversal of an impairment loss is recognized in the income statement, to the extent that the carrying value of the asset does not exceed its amortized cost at the reversal date.

Trade receivables (Note 13)

For trade receivables the Group implements simplified approach for the calculation of credit losses ECL. Therefore the Group does not monitor changes in credit risk, but recognizes a percentage of

losses which is based on ECL at every reporting period. The Group has conducted a provisions table based on historical experience of credit losses, adjusted with future factors appropriate for debtors and economic environment.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

IFRS 9 adoption changed the Group's accounting for impairment losses of financial assets. Therefore, the Group replaced the "incurred loss" approach of IAS 39 with Expected Credit Loss – ECL. IFRS 9 obliges the Group to conduct provision based on expected credit losses for all loans and other debt instruments which are not maintained at fair value through profit and loss. Expected credit losses are based on the difference between due cash flows according to contract and the total of cash flows that the Group expects to receive. Afterwards, the deficit is approximately discounted with the initial actual interest rate of the financial asset.

Regarding trade and other receivables, the Group implements simplified approach of the standard by calculating the expected credit losses based on expected credit losses for the whole life. The Group uses past experience to identify payment default risk as well as information for the future at the end of each reporting period concerning its debtors and general financial environment. Under this strategy, the Group identified the provision for loss on 1/1/2018 without a substantial deviation to the provision for loss of 31/12/2017.

All other financial assets which are measured at amortized cost, are characterized as low credit risk and their fair value approaches book value.

3.13 Inventory

Inventory (goods) is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by using the weighted average method. The net realizable value is the estimated sales price at the ordinary operation of the company less any costs to sell having in mind seasonality and other conditions. The cost of inventory does not include any financial expenses.

3.14 Trade receivables

Trade receivables are recognized initially at fair value and they are subsequently valuated at the amortized cost by using the effective interest rate method, less provision for impairment.

When there is evidence of impairment of receivables, the carrying value is reduced to its recoverable amount, which is the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the initial effective interest rate. Then, the interest is calculated at the same rate on the impaired (new book) value.

3.15 Cash and cash equivalent

Cash and cash equivalents include cash at banks and on hand, as well as short term (up to 3 months) investments of high liquidation and low risk.

3.16 Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operation

Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operation are valued at the lower price between carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell.

Any possible fair value increase in a subsequent valuation is registered in Profit and loss but for amounts not bigger than the initially registered impairment loss. Since the date on which an asset is classified as held for sale, this asset is no longer depreciated or amortized.

Non-current assets held for sale are classified as such, provided that their carrying value will be recovered through sale rather than through continuing use. This condition is considered valid only when the sale is highly probable and the asset is available for immediate sale at its current condition. Management requires commitment to the sale which is expected to be completed either based on stipulated by contractual time commitment or within a year from classification date.

A discontinued operation is an integral part of a financial entity that either has been sold or has been classified as held for sale and:

  • a) represents a separate major part of business operations or a geographical area of operations,
  • b) is part of a single, coordinated divestment program of a great part of operations or a geographical area of operations or
  • c) is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with the prospect to be resold.

3.17 Share Capital

Direct costs incurred for increases in share capital are recorded, net of related income taxes against the share premium reserve. The cost of treasury shares net of any related income tax is recorded as a reduction of equity, until these shares are sold or cancelled. Any gain or loss on sale of treasury shares, net of direct transaction costs and any related income tax is recorded as a reserve account under equity.

3.18 Loans

Loans are initially recorded at their fair value less any direct costs related to the transaction. After initial recognition, they are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.

Interest and related expenses on loans taken for purchase or construction of fixed assets are capitalized. Capitalization of borrowing costs ceases when the asset is ready for its intended use. In case of borrowing specifically for the purpose of constructing or acquiring an asset, the borrowing costs related to the loan agreement are directly capitalized. Otherwise, in order to determine the part of the loan related with that fixed asset, a method is implemented to determine the proportion of the capitalized interest and the proportion of the interest which will be recorded to the statement of comprehensive income as an expense. Revenues, occurred as a result of investing part of a loan taken for construction of a fixed asset, reduce the amount of borrowing costs capitalized.

Loan expenses paid upon signing of new credits are recognized as loan expenses if part or total of the

new credit line is received. In that case, they are registered as future loan expenses until the loan is received. If the new loans are not used, partly or fully, then these expenses are included in prepaid expenses and are recognized in income statement during the period of the relevant credit line.

3.19 Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting

The Group uses derivative financial instruments to mitigate the risk arising from fluctuations in interest rates (Note 21). Such derivative financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently measured at fair value. Any gains or losses arising from changes in fair value on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are taken directly to the income statement.

The effective part of hedges that qualify for hedge accounting is recognized directly to equity if it is related to cash flow hedges while the ineffective part is charged to the consolidated income statement, while the non - effective part is recognized in the statement of comprehensive income. If the hedge is related to effective fair value hedges, the gain or loss from re-measuring the derivative hedging instrument at fair value is recognized in profit or loss and the gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk adjusts the carrying amount of the hedged item and is also recognized in profit or loss.

Under cash flow hedge accounting, when the hedged firm commitment results in the recognition of non - financial asset or a non - financial liability, then, at the time the asset or liability is recognized the associated gains or losses that had previously been recognized in equity are included in the initial measurement of the acquisition cost or other carrying amount of the asset or liability. For all other cash flow hedges, the gains or losses that are recognized in equity are transferred to the income statement in the same year in which the hedged firm commitment affects the statement of comprehensive income.

The new requirements regarding hedge accounting have improved hedging instruments accounting through risk management measures implemented by the Group and therefore, the number of hedge relationships, which meet the criteria for the implementation of hedge accounting, is expected to increase. On the date of the initial implementation, all Group's current hedge relationships would be recognized as ongoing hedge relationships. Following the implementation of IFRS 9, the Group recognizes changes in time value of stock options as deferred amount at a new reserve "hedge accounting" within the Group's equity. Deferred amounts are recognized against relevant the hedge transaction when it occurs. However, since the amounts were insubstantial, no change occurred at the comparative basis.

3.20 Current and Deferred Tax

Taxes recorded in the statement of comprehensive income include both current and deferred taxes.

Current income tax is recognized in the statement of comprehensive income, except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity. In this case it is recognized, in a similar way, directly in

equity. Current income taxes include the current liabilities and/ or assets, to or from the tax authorities, relating to the taxes payable on the taxable income of the period. Current taxes are increased by any income taxes related to provisions for tax differences or additional taxes which are imposed by the tax authorities upon audit of the unaudited tax years.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates which are expected to apply in the year where the asset or liability will be settled, taking into account the tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or are virtually applicable at the reporting date.

Deferred taxes arise on temporary differences between the recognition of assets and liabilities for tax purposes and those for the purposes of preparation of the financial statements. Deferred tax is calculated using the liability method on all taxable temporary differences at the reporting date, between the tax basis and book value of assets and liabilities.

The expected tax effects of temporary tax differences are recognized either as future (deferred) tax liabilities or as deferred tax assets. In case of an inability to accurately measure temporary tax differences, the initial recognition is made based on estimation of the reversal time and such estimation is reviewed each year.

Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses, to the extent that it is probable that sufficient future taxable income will be available against which the unused tax losses and tax credits can be used or sufficient taxable deductible temporary differences that incur in the same company and will be recovered. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that is unlikely that sufficient taxable income will be generated in order to recover the deferred tax asset.

The Group sets off deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities only if:

  • it has a legal right to set off current tax receivables against current tax payables and
  • deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities relate to income tax imposed by the same tax authority.

As a result deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented on a net basis in the separate financial statements of the Company while such items are presented separately in the consolidated accounts of the Group.

If the deferred income tax arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than business combination, then it does not affect the neither the accounting nor the taxable profit or loss and therefore it is not taken into account.

The tax rates in the countries that the Group is operating are presented below:

Country % Income Tax/ Deferred Tax
Greece 29,0%
Country % Income Tax/ Deferred Tax
Romania 16,0%
Cyprus 12,5%
Bulgaria 10,0%
Turkey 20,0%

3.21 Employee Benefits

Employee benefits are:

a) Short term benefits

Short term benefits to employees in money or in kind are recorded as an expense as they accrue.

b) Post - retirement benefits

Companies of the Group pay retirement compensation to their employees. Such compensation varies in relation to the employees' years of service and salary payable at the time of retirement and is accounted for as a defined benefit plan. Post - retirement obligations are calculated at the present value of future employee benefits accrued as at the end of the reporting period, based on the benefits to be earned over their expected labor life. The above mentioned obligations are calculated based on actuarial valuation methods and are determined using the Projected Unit Method. Net costs of the period are included in the attached statement of comprehensive income and consist of the present value of the employee benefits that were accrued during the current year, the interest derived from the employee benefit obligation and the actuarial gains and losses which are recognised in full in the period in which they occur in the comprehensive income and they are not transferred in income statement in next periods. Full yield curve method is used for the definition of the discount interest rate in the calculation of the present value of the employee benefits.

c) State insurance programs

The employees of the Greek subsidiaries of the Group are covered, in terms of insurance programs, mainly through the Social Insurance Institution (IKA) the largest Social Security Organization of the private sector, which supplies pension and medical coverage. Every employee is obliged to participate partially, through his salary, in the costs of the insurance program, while the remaining cost is covered by the Group. Upon retirement, the pension fund is responsible to cover the obligation of pensions and retirement benefits to the employees. As a consequence the Group does not have any other legal or future obligation to cover future employee benefits according to this pension program. This program is considered and accounted for as a defined contribution plan whereby the accrued social security contributions are recorded as an expense in the financial period in which they are incurred.

d) Private insurance programs

Every full time employee of the Group belonging to the management team, according to the internal company policy, is covered by a private insurance pension and other benefits program. The Group covers, the contract defined fees, while the financial management of the program is performed by the Insurance Firm. This program is considered and accounted for as a defined contribution plan whereby the accrued cost of the insurance fees is recorded as expense in the period in which they are incurred.

e) Stock option plan (IFRS 2)

The Company intends to attract, retain and incentivise the executives of the Company and the executives of its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, as through the Stock Options plan, the participants have a direct equity interest in the Company which link their performance to the Company's future performance and the increase of shareholder value. This program regards equity shares transactions.

The Company makes decisions regarding the implementation of the Stock Option Plan – to executives of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates in compliance with par.5 of Art.42e of Law 2190/1920.

A basic condition for participation in the Stock Options plan is the salaried working relationship of executives with the Company or its subsidiaries and affiliates. The cost of equity settled transactions is measured by reference to the fair values at the date in which they are granted and is recognized as an expense over the period from grant date to maturity date of the options with a concurrent increase in equity.

The program takes into account the following variables: Exercise price, Share price at grant date, Grant Date, Maturity date(s) of rights, Expected Stock Volatility (Volatility), Dividend Yield, Risk Free Rate.

3.22 Government grants

Government grants are recognized where there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and all attached conditions will be complied with. When the grant relates to an asset, it is recognized as deferred income and amortized over the expected useful life of the related asset. Such amortization is presented in other income in Statement of Comprehensive Income (Note 22).

3.23 Contingent liabilities and Provisions

Provisions are recognized when the Group has a present legal, contractual or constructive obligation as a result of past events and it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle this obligation, and a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made.

Provisions are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted to reflect the present value of the

expense expected to be required to settle the liability.

Contingent liabilities and assets are not recognised in the financial statements but are disclosed unless there is a probability of financial outflow or inflow.

3.24 Revenue and expense recognition

Revenue is measured at the fair value of sales of goods and provision of services, net of Value Added Tax, discounts and returns. Inter - company revenues are eliminated.

The recognition of revenue is accounted for as follows:

  • Sales of goods: Sales of goods are recognized when the Group invoices and delivers the goods to the customers and the goods are accepted by them. Retail sales are through cash payments or through credit cards. In these cases the income recorded is the amount received by the customer.
  • Provision of services: The income from provision of services is recorded in the period in which the services are provided, based on the stage of completion of the provided service.
  • Interest income: Interest income is recognized proportionally in time and by using the effective interest rate.
  • Dividends: Dividends are recorded as income when the right to collect vests which is upon the decision of the General Assembly (ordinary or extraordinary). Expenses are recognized in the statement of comprehensive income as accrued.
  • Advertising costs: Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in distribution expenses.
  • Borrowing costs: Underwriters costs, legal and other direct costs incurred during the issue of long term loans are deducted from the loan balances and are recorded to the statement of comprehensive income based on the effective interest rate method over the duration of the loan. Borrowing cost is recognized as an expense during the issue period, except of the case that Group capitalizes borrowing costs according to IAS 23.

IFRS 15 establishes a 5-step model implemented for income arising from a contract with a customer (with limited exceptions), regardless the type of income transaction or segment. Since 1/1/2018, the Group adopted the new standard by implementing the new modified retrospective approach without having a readjustment in comparative information (Note 2.3).

3.25 Leases

Leases in which all the risks and benefits of the property remain with the lessor are recorded as finance leases. All the other leasing contracts are recorded as operating leases.

  • Group as a Lessor: Income from operating leasing is recognized as income on a straight line basis over the lease term.
  • Group as a Lessee: Operating lease payments are recognized as an expense on a straight line

basis over the lease term.

Leases which transfer to the Group substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the leased item regardless of whether there is a transfer of the ownership title or not at the end of the lease, are classified as finance leases. The property held under finance leases is capitalized at the inception of the lease at the lower of its fair value and the present value of the minimum lease payments. Lease payments are apportioned between the reduction in the lease liability and the financial expenses in order to achieve a constant interest rate on the residual financial liability.

The related lease liabilities net of financial expenses are classified as liabilities and the related financial expenses are recognized in the statement of comprehensive income over the duration of the lease. Property, plant and equipment acquired through a finance lease are depreciated at the lower of the assets' useful lives and the lease term.

The Group as a Lessor only has operating leasing while as a Lessee has both operating and finance leasing. Both operational and financial leasing are related to buildings and machinery.

3.26 Offsetting of financial assets and liabilities

Financial assets and liabilities are not offset in the financial statements unless there is a legal right of set - off and intention for settlement of the net amount or settlement of the asset and liability simultaneously.

3.27 Derecognition of financial assets and liabilities

Financial Assets

A financial asset (or, where applicable a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is derecognized where:

  • the rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired,
  • the Group or the Company has transferred its right to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay them in full without material delay under a "pass - through" arrangement and either (a) has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the assets, or (b) has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset.

Where the Group or the Company has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from an asset and has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset nor transferred control of the asset, the asset is recognized to the extent of the Group's or Company's continuing involvement in the asset. Continuing involvement that takes the form of a guarantee over the transferred asset is measured at the lower of the original carrying amount of the asset and the maximum amount of consideration that the Group or Company could be required to repay.

Financial liabilities

A financial liability is derecognized when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires. Where an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as a derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability, and the difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognized in profit or loss.

3.28 Earnings/Losses per share

The basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing net profits after taxes with the weighted average number of shares of each period/ year.

The weighted average number of shares arises by summing the outstanding shares into which the share capital is divided and the rights that can be contingently exercised and are owned by the company and subtracting the shares buy back.

4. Financial Risk Management

a) Financial Risk Management

The Group is exposed to financial risks such as foreign exchange risk, credit risk, interest rate risk and liquidity risk. The management of risk is achieved by the central Treasury department, which operates using specific guidelines set by the Board of Directors. The Treasury department identifies, determines and hedges the financial risks in cooperation with the Groups' subsidiaries that face these risks. The Board of Directors provides written instructions and directions for the general management of the risk, as well as specific instructions for the management of specific risks such as foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk and credit risk.

Foreign Exchange Risk:

The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from transactions in foreign currencies (RON, USD, TRY, SEK) with suppliers which invoice the Group in currencies other than the local. The Group, in order to minimize the foreign exchange risk, according to the needs, in certain cases pre purchases foreign currencies.

Credit risk:

The Group has diminuated the credit risk due to the focus in retail segments where the payment of goods is mainly achieved by cash in hand or by pre-paid credit cards.

Interest rate risk/liquidity:

The Group is subject to cash flow risk which in the case of possible variable interest rates fluctuation, may affect positively or negatively the cash inflows or outflows related to the Group's assets or liabilities.

Cash flow risk is minimized via the availability of adequate credit lines and cash. Also, the Group has entered into Interest Rate Swap (IRS) contracts in order to face interest rate risk.

b) Legal Issues

There are no litigations or legal issues that might have a material impact on the Annual Financial Statements of the Group or Company for the period 1/1 - 31/12/2018.

5. Segment Information

The Group is active on the following two operating segments:

  • Retail Trading of Home Furniture and Households Goods (IKEA stores).
  • Retail Trading of Sporting Goods (INTERSPORT and TAF stores).

The main financial interest is concentrated on the business classification of the Group's activities, where the various economic environments constitute different risks and rewards. The Group's activities comprise mainly one geographical area, that of the wider European region, primarily in Greece along with countries of Southeastern Europe (Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Turkey).

The Group's sales revenue in 2018 arise 62% from activities in Greece (62% in 2017) with the remaining 38% arising from the other countries of Southeastern Europe (38% in 2017) which is analyzed as follows: 14% from Bulgaria (2017: 14%), 12% from Cyprus (2017: 11%), 9% from Romania (2017: 9%) and 3% from Turkey (2017: 4%). Revenue of the Company concern intrasegment transactions and are eliminated at the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Historically, the consumers' demand for the Group products increases during the last four months of the year.

Retail Home
Furnishings
Retail
Sporting
Goods
Fourlis
Holdings SA
Elim - Cons
Entries
Fourlis
Group
Revenue 296.698 151.787 4.288 (4.287) 448.486
Cost of Goods Sold (175.429) (80.299) (4.100) 4.100 (255.728)
Gross Profit 121.269 71.488 188 (187) 192.758
Other operating income 6.914 825 1.300 (1.494) 7.545
Distribution expenses (92.823) (56.448) 0 1.436 (147.834)
Administrative expenses (11.839) (6.970) (2.931) 447 (21.292)
Other operating expenses (547) (426) (31) 40 (964)
Operating Profit / (Loss) 22.974 8.470 (1.474) 243 30.212
Total finance income 105 891 10 0 1.006
Total finance cost (7.378) (5.451) (2) 0 (12.831)
Contribution associate companies profit
and loss
83 0 0 0 83
Dividends 0 0 5.000 (5.000) 0
Profit / (Loss) before Tax 15.784 3.910 3.534 (4.757) 18.470
Depreciation / Amortization 9.160 5.064 75 (243) 14.057

Group results by operating segment for the year 2018 are analyzed below:

Group results by operating segment for the year 2017 are analyzed below:

Retail Home
Furnishings
Retail
Sporting
Goods
Fourlis
Holdings SA
Elim - Cons
Entries
Fourlis
Group
Revenue 291.312 142.735 4.126 (4.115) 434.059
Cost of Goods Sold (171.263) (75.083) (3.721) 3.721 (246.347)
Gross Profit 120.049 67.652 405 (393) 187.712
Other operating income 4.701 1.122 836 (1.079) 5.581
Distribution expenses (90.756) (54.595) 0 1.110 (144.241)
Administrative expenses (11.441) (6.668) (2.291) 226 (20.174)
Other operating expenses (336) (618) (34) 2 (986)
Operating Profit / (Loss) 22.216 6.892 (1.083) (134) 27.892
Total finance income 438 650 119 0 1.207
Total finance cost (7.723) (5.681) (2) 0 (13.407)
Contribution associate companies profit
and loss
(1.160) 0 0 0 (1.160)
Dividends 0 0 5.000 (5.000) 0
Profit / (Loss) before Tax 13.771 1.861 4.033 (5.134) 14.532
Depreciation / Amortization 8.765 4.974 53 153 13.945

All intra-segment transactions have been eliminated in the tables above. Also, since 1/1/2018 the Group and Company have adopted IFRS 15 Income from contracts with customers which had impact on the consolidated financial statements at revenue and liabilities.

The breakdown structure of assets and liabilities as of 31/12/2018 and 31/12/2017 are as below:

Retail Home
Furnishings
Retail Sporting
Goods
Fourlis Holdings
Elim - Cons
SA
Entries
Fourlis Group
31/12/2018 31/12/2018 31/12/2018 31/12/18 31/12/2018
Total non-current assets 251.446 27.632 81.444 (81.098) 279.423
Total Assets 323.929 97.399 90.875 (88.059) 424.145
Total non-current
Liabilities
91.280 31.591 539 0 123.410
Total liabilities (d) 169.672 85.846 1.844 (6.961) 250.400
Retail Home
Furnishings
Fourlis Holdings
SA
Elim - Cons
Entries
31/12/2017 31/12/2017 31/12/2017 31/12/2017 31/12/2017
Total non-current assets 249.639 28.758 81.191 (81.055) 278.533
Total Assets 323.141 94.316 91.565 (87.591) 421.431
Total non-current
Liabilities
98.136 29.272 518 0 127.926
Total liabilities (d) 175.631 82.752 1.715 (6.536) 253.562

It is noted that the consolidation entries column includes transactions between the parent company and operating segments of the Group.

6. Analysis of expenses and other operating income

(a) The expenses are presented in the financial statements as follows:

Group Company
1/1 -
1/1 -
31/12/2018
31/12/2017
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
Distribution expenses 135.843 132.174 (0) (0)
Administrative expenses 19.707 18.633 2.856 2.237
Depreciation/Amortization (Distribution) 11.991 12.067 (0) (0)
Depreciation/Amortization (Administration) 1.585 1.541 75 53
Expenses embedded on cost of sales 3.090 2.774 4.100 3.721
Depreciation/Amortization on cost of sales 480 337 (0) (0)
Other operating expenses 964 986 31 34
Total 173.661 168.512 7.062 6.046

The main categories of expenses are analyzed below:

Group Company
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
Payroll Expenses 71.178 67.661 4.793 4.232
Third party services 57.783 57.479 989 829
Taxes-duties 2.369 2.557 2 3
Depreciation/Amortization 14.057 13.945 75 53
Other operating expenses 28.274 26.869 1.203 929
Total 173.661 168.512 7.062 6.046

For the year ended on 31/12/2018, miscellaneous expenses include auditors remuneration of amount € 47 th. regarding services other than financial statements audit (namely excluding ordinary audit services and tax certificate issue).

Payroll expenses are analyzed as follows:

Group Company
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
Salaries and wages 55.610 52.318 3.474 3.120
Social security contributions 11.245 11.475 793 726
Miscellaneous grants 4.323 3.868 527 386
Total 71.178 67.661 4.793 4.232

(b) Other operating income is analysed as follows:

Group Company
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
Subsidies Law 3299/04 150 178 0 0
Management Fees 0 5 0 0
Revenue from non-used provisions 966 1.087 86 14
Fixed Assets Gain 14 4 0 0
Other Income 6.415 4.306 1.214 823
Total 7.545 5.581 1.300 836

In other income of the year 2018, € 3.545 thousand (2017: € 2.655 thousand) are included mainly due to income from orders delivery charges and rents receivable of Group's subsidiaries, customers

services € 474 th. (2017: € 194 th.) and photovoltaic income € 334 th. (2017: € 351 th.).

Moreover, other income of the Company of the year 2018, include € 913 thousand (2017: € 584 thousand) due to income from invoicing software to subsidiaries, € 225 thousand (2017: € 165 thousand) due to income from subleasing property and occupancy expenses to subsidiaries and € 75 thousand (2017: € 59 thousand) due to income from invoicing travels under the context of management support services.

(c) Net Financial Results are analyzed as follows:

Group Company
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
Interest - expenses
Credit Card fees
(6.785)
(4.868)
(6.867)
(4.984)
0
(2)
0
(2)
Foreign exchange differences (expense)-
realized
(1.178) (1.528) (0) (0)
Other financial expenses 0 (28) 0 0
Total finance cost (12.831) (13.407) (2) (2)
Interest and related income 121 100 10 3
Foreign exchange differences (income)-
realized
885 685 0 0
Other financial income 0 422 0 115
Total finance income 1.006 1.207 10 119
Financial result (11.825) (12.200) 8 116

(d) Consolidated financial statements include, through equity method, the associated companies VYNER LTD and SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPISES LTD. During consolidation through equity method, the amount of € 83 th. was registered in income statement as profit in "Expense – income from associate companies" (2017: loss of amount € 1.160 th.) with corresponding increase of Investments in Affiliates and Associates. Further differentiation of the investment value is due to the share capital increase in the associate SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPRISES LTD by the amount of € 315 th. and in VYNER LTD by the amount of € 5.010 th.

7. Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment for the year 2018 are analyzed as follows:

Land Buildings and
installations
Machinery
/Installation
s
Vehicles Furniture Assets under
construction
Total
Net book value at
31.12.2017
55.164 139.259 5.278 967 11.579 2.977 215.224
1.1 - 31.12.2018
Additions 22 4.862 590 221 4.698 (52) 10.340
Other changes in
acquisition cost
(1.169) (2.758) (160) (115) (1.747) (67) (6.016)
Depreciation/amortization 0 (8.204) (998) (220) (3.283) 0 (12.705)
Other Depreciation
changes
0 959 156 114 1.550 0 2.780
Acquisition cost at
31.12.2018
54.017 217.921 11.225 5.228 54.131 2.857 345.379
Accumulated
depreciation at
31.12.2018
0 (83.803) (6.358) (4.260) (41.335) 0 (135.756)
Net book value at
31.12.2018
54.017 134.118 4.867 968 12.796 2.857 209.624

Group

Group

Land Buildings and
installations
Machinery
/Installation
s
Vehicles Furniture Assets under
construction
Total
Net book value at
31.12.2016
56.617 142.983 5.690 1.167 11.410 3.177 221.044
1.1 - 31.12.2017
Additions 0 5.499 605 108 3.827 303 10.342
Other changes in
acquisition cost
(1.453) (1.863) (175) (122) (1.978) (503) (6.093)
Depreciation/amortization 0 (7.985) (1.003) (306) (3.441) 0 (12.735)
Other Depreciation
changes
0 625 161 120 1.760 0 2.666
Acquisition cost at
31.12.2017
55.164 215.817 10.795 5.122 51.181 2.977 341.055
Accumulated
depreciation at
31.12.2017
0 (76.558) (5.517) (4.154) (39.602) 0 (125.831)
Net book value at
31.12.2017
55.164 139.259 5.278 967 11.579 2.977 215.224

Additions in the Property, Plant and Equipment for the period refer to formation expenses and purchase of equipment for retail stores (new and existing) regarding segments of home furniture and household goods and sporting goods.

In home furniture and household goods segment, on 20/3/2018 a new Pop UP Store with IKEA products started its operation in Piraeus with limited duration, which terminated its operation on 1/12/2018. Also, on 5/12/2018 a new Pick up & Order Point in Plovdiv of Bulgaria started operating.

In sporting goods segment, within the period 1/1 – 31/12/2018, four new INTERSPORT stores started operating: one in Cyprus (Nicosia), one in Turkey (Maltepe, Istanbul), one in Bulgaria (Plovdiv) and one in Romania (Satu Mare).

Most considerable additions in property, plant and equipment in the year 2018 refer to:

a) property, plant and buildings installations of amount € 2,2 million for IKEA Stores and € 2,5

million for INTERSPORT & TAF Stores.

b) machinery – installations, furniture and miscellaneous equipment of amount € 2,7 million for IKEA Stores and € 2,3 million for INTERSPORT & TAF Stores.

Other changes as well as changes in depreciated property, plant and equipment of the period, of amount € 2,6 mil. are related to property transferred from owner-occupied to investment, foreign exchange differences arising from the difference of conversion exchange rates of amount € 592 th. regarding assets of foreign companies. Moreover, other changes include write-offs and sales of assets. Property Plant and Equipment of the Group also include subsidiaries' finance leasing amounting to € 29.336 thousand (31/12/2017: € 29.852 thousand). Regarding the property of IKEA Store of HOUSEMARKET of amount € 27.198 th. (31/12/2017: € 27.391 th.) in Thessaloniki, all obligations arising from the financial leasing contract are fulfilled and procedural issues with National Cadastre are confronted, in order for the contract, regarding the transfer of the property to HOUSEMARKET, to be signed.

The average interest rate of financial leasing for 2018 was 5,50% (2017: 5,24%).

Depreciation/Amortization of Property, Plant and Equipment for the year 2018 amounted to € 12.707 thousand (2017: € 12.735 th.). Total depreciation/amortization of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets of amount € 14.051 th. (2017: € 13.945 th.) was registered by € 480 th. (2017: € 337 th.) in cost of sales, by € 11.993 th. (2017: € 12.067 th.) in distribution expenses and by € 1.577 th. (2017: € 1.541 th.) in administrative expenses. On 31/12/2018 the Group tested the value of property, plant and equipment per store (CGU) and wherever there was existence of indication for impairment of value, an impairment test was implemented. On 31/12/2018, no impairment of the Group's property, plant and equipment value arised. Net book value of property, plant and equipment regarding IKEA, INTERSPORT & TAF Stores for the Group amounts to € 186.385 th. (2017: € 186.737 th.).

For the Company, changes within the year 2018 in property, plant and equipment table are related to additions to the leased building and purchase of furniture.

Company
Buildings and
installations
Furniture Total
Net book value at 31.12.2017 130 79 208
1.1 - 31.12.2018
Additions 5 25 30
Other changes in acquisition cost 0 (4) (4)
Depreciation/amortization (18) (27) (44)
Other Depreciation changes 0 1 1
Acquisition cost at 31.12.2018 302 258 560
Accumulated depreciation at
31.12.2018
(185) (184) (369)
Net book value at 31.12.2018 117 74 191

Company

Buildings and
installations
Vehicles Furniture Total
Net book value at 31.12.2016 139 2 83 224
1.1 - 31.12.2017
Additions 7 0 21 28
Other changes in acquisition cost 0 (3) 0 (3)
Depreciation/amortization (17) (0) (25) (42)
Other Depreciation changes 0 1 0 1
Acquisition cost at 31.12.2017 297 0 237 534
Accumulated depreciation at 31.12.2017 (167) 0 (159) (326)
Net book value at 31.12.2017 130 0 79 208

8. Investment property

Investment property for the year 2018 is analyzed as follows:

Group Company
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Opening Balance 21.060 17.395 0 0
Additions 341 1.002 0 0
Impairment / Goodwill (8) 0 0 0
Decreases 0 (45) 0 0
Other changes 2.600 2.708 0 0
Closing Balance 23.993 21.060 0 0

The amount of € 24 million (2017: € 21 million) includes:

  • Property for exploitation, of amount € 8,2 million (2017: € 7,1 million). The assessment of fair value was effectuated for the year 2018 by certified appraisers. For the calculation of the fair value, the Investment Method was used by implementing Discounted Cash Flow Method (DCF) with a 10-year analysis. The valuation of fair value method was ranked at level 3 of the hierarchy. The significant assumptions used for the property were: Leasing value 61.905 €/month, exit yield 10%, TRR 11%.
  • Part of subsidiary's property, operating in real estate segment, of amount € 12,4 million (2017: € 10,5 million). The assessment of fair value was effectuated for the year 2018 by certified appraisers. For the calculation of the fair value the Investment Method was used, based on which the investment property value is calculated by capitalizing actual or future leasing that it may create. The valuation of fair value method was ranked at level 3 of the hierarchy. The significant assumptions used for the retail stores that the subsidiary,

operating in real estate, leases were: Rent price/month €14/sqm, exit yield 7,50%, TRR 8,75% and annual rent increase 1,00%.

• Property of value € 3,4 million of a subsidiary which is leased for trading use (2017: € 3,4 million). The fair value assessment was conducted by the Management in compliance with the agreed terms of leasing.

Other changes regard leasing to a third company outside the Group, of property part used for trading use (Note 7).

9. Intangible assets

Intangible assets are analyzed as follows:

Group
Royalties Software Miscellaneous Total
Net book value at 31.12.2017 4.352 3.254 1.568 9.174
1.1 - 31.12.2018
Additions 0 1.548 47 1.595
Other changes in acquisition cost 0 (81) (522) (603)
Depreciation/amortization (278) (958) (109) (1.344)
Other Depreciation changes 0 30 172 202
Acquisition cost at 31.12.2018 8.872 13.048 2.067 23.986
Accumulated depreciation at 31.12.2018 (4.798) (9.256) (909) (14.963)
Net book value at 31.12.2018 4.074 3.792 1.157 9.023
Group
Royalties Software Miscellaneous Total
Net book value at 31.12.2016 4.630 2.859 1.938 9.427
1.1 - 31.12.2017
Additions 0 1.214 107 1.320
Other changes in acquisition cost 0 (61) (471) (533)
Depreciation/amortization (278) (788) (145) (1.211)
Other Depreciation changes 0 31 139 169
Acquisition cost at 31.12.2017 8.872 11.582 2.541 22.994
Accumulated depreciation at 31.12.2017 (4.520) (8.328) (973) (13.821)
Net book value at 31.12.2017 4.352 3.254 1.568 9.174

Royalties include the use of brand names (IKEA). Other changes in acquisition cost as well as other depreciation changes regard foreign exchange differences. Additions in intangible assets are related to software licenses.

Depreciation of intangible assets of the Group for the year 2018, amounted to € 1.344 thousand.

Intangible assets for the Company for the year 2018 are as follows:

Company
Software Miscellaneous Total
Net book value at 31.12.2017 95 84 180
1.1 - 31.12.2018
Additions 48 45 92
Depreciation/amortization (21) (10) (31)
Acquisition cost at 31.12.2018 553 129 682
Accumulated depreciation at 31.12.2018 (431) (10) (441)
Net book value at 31.12.2018 122 120 241
Company
Software Miscellaneous Total
Net book value at 31.12.2016 53 0 53
1.1 - 31.12.2017
Additions 54 84 138
Depreciation/amortization (11) 0 (11)
Acquisition cost at 31.12.2017 506 84 590
Accumulated depreciation at 31.12.2017 (410) 0 (410)
Net book value at 31.12.2017 95 84 180

10. Investments in subsidiaries and associates

Investments are as analyzed as follows:

COUNTRY %
SHAREHOLDING
2018
31/12/2018 %
SHAREHOLDING
2017
31/12/2017
SUBSIDIARIES
GENCO TRADE SRL Romania 1,57% 367 1,57% 367
HOUSEMARKET SA Greece 100% 61.956 100% 61.956
INTERSPORT
ATHLETICS SA
Greece 100% 15.664 100% 15.664
STOCK OPTION 2.341 2.056
TOTAL 80.328 80.042

Operation of each aforementioned company is analyzed in the Report of the Board of Directors.

On 31/12/2018 there were no indications for the conduction of impairment test for subsidiaries.

Associated companies VYNER LTD and SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPISES LTD are included in the consolidated financial statements of the Group through the application of equity method. After applying the equity method, a profit of € 83 thousand (2017: € 1.160 thousand loss) was recognized in the consolidated income statement under "Contribution to associate companies losses" with a

corresponding decrease in the carrying value of investments in associates. Further differentiation of the investment value is due to the increase of the share capital of the associate SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPISES LTD of amount € 315 thousand (2017: € 85 thousand) and VYNER LTD of amount € 5.010 thousand (2017: € 410 thousand).

The consolidated financial information of VYNER LTD is as follows:

Company Country of
establishment
Total
Assets
Total
Liabilities
Income Profit/
(Loss)
%
Shareholding
2018 Cyprus 147.375 88.779 10.420 913 50,00%
2017 Cyprus 145.712 101.426 9.439 (1.849) 50,00%

The consolidated financial information of SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPISES LTD is as follows:

Company Country of
establishment
Total
Assets
Total
Liabilities
Income Profit/
(Loss)
%
Shareholding
2018 Cyprus 1.538 198 166 (747) 50,00%
2017 Cyprus 1.889 201 156 (471) 50,00%

11. Long Term Receivables

Group Company
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Guarantees given to Property Lease Holders 4.285 4.675 47 47
Guarantees given to third party 124 56 0 0
Other Guarantees given 17 43 0 0
Other Long term claims 272 572 0 0
Total 4.699 5.346 47 47

Guarantees for property lease are directly related to the operation of the Group's companies as they regard trading property. Also, guarantees have been given for public services and organizations.

12. Inventory

Inventory is analyzed as follows:

Group Company
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Inventory
Advances for purchases of
83.742
122
73.947
3.412
0
0
0
0
merchandise
Total
83.864 77.359 0 0

The inventory cost of the Group which was recorded as an expense under cost of goods sold amounts to € 252.158 thousand (2017: € 243.235 thousand). The inventory value that was written off within the financial year was € 1.242 thousand (2017: € 1.194 thousand). Impairment provisions for properties and idle and slow moving inventory were made within the current year of amount € 340 thousand (2017: € 306 thousand). The total provision for inventory on 31/12/2018 for the Group

amounts to € 1.113 th. (31/12/2017: € 1.590 th.).

13. Trade receivables

Trade receivables are analyzed as follows:

Group Company
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Trade receivables 9.843 9.361 1.980 1.521
Cheques receivables 18 18 0 0
Bad Debt Provisions (7.320) (7.239) 0 0
Total 2.541 2.140 1.980 1.521

The above balance is formed by numerous customers and there is not a single customer with a significant balance in the Group.

The movement of the provision for bad debt receivables for 2018 and 2017 is analyzed as follows:

Group Company
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
Opening Balance (7.239) (7.387) 0 0
Reversal of provisions 9 147 0 0
Provision (91) (5) 0 0
Foreign exchange differences 0 6 0 0
Closing Balance (7.320) (7.239) 0 0

As at December 31, 2018 and 2017 the ageing of trade receivables is analyzed as follows:

Total Not due trade
receivables
Overdue trade
receivables
31/12/2018 2.541 778 1.762
31/12/2017 2.140 774 1.366

Not due trade receivables include amounts resulting from leasing and occupancy invoicing € 306 th. (2017: € 251 th.), from e-shop sales € 53 th. (2017: € 242 th.), electricity invoicing to LAGIE € 93 th. (2017: € 148 th.), from administrative services support to associated company € 119 th. (2017: € 133 th.) and from other invoices € 207 th.

14. Other receivables

Other receivables are analyzed as follows:

Group Company
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Debited VAT 1.717 1.422 0 0
Credit Cards receivable 3.725 7.168 0 0
Other debtors 11.688 16.007 5.017 5.101
Total 17.130 24.596 5.017 5.101

On 31/12/2018, other debtors include accrued expenses and income of amount € 3.497 th. (2017: € 4.047 th.) and suppliers advances of amount € 581 th. (2017: € 1.142 th.). Furthermore, other debtors include the amount of € 3.542 th. for credit cards discounting program of a subsidiary through factoring (2017: € 6.775 th.), € 1.209 th. for municipal taxes receivables (2017: € 1.200 th.), € 553 th. for pledged accounts (2017: € 526 th.) and € 306 th. for purchases in transit (2017: € 226 th.) For the Company for the year 2018, other debtors include receivables from subsidiary regarding dividend of amount € 5.000 th (2017: 5.000 th).

15. Cash

Cash represents the Group's and the Company's cash in hand as well as bank deposits available on demand and is analyzed as follows:

Group Company
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Cash in hand 1.765 2.232 2 1
Bank Deposits 38.089 34.372 1.523 2.842
Total 39.854 36.603 1.525 2.843

The temporary unallocated funds of the Group's companies are invested in short-term deposits in euros. The average weighted deposit interest rate for the year 2018 is 0,70% (2017: 0,70%).

16. Share Capital

On 31/12/2018 the share capital amounted to € 47.144.655,52 divided into 51.807.314 shares of nominal value € 0,91 per share (Note 1).

On 31/12/2017 the share capital amounted to € 50.094.377,36 divided into 51.643.688 shares of nominal value € 0,97 per share.

Evolution and coverage of share capital of the Company since its composition are analyzed as follows:

Amount of increase Amount of
decrease
Date of
General
Assembly
Government
Gazette No.
Cash
Payments
By
capitalization
of reserves
goodwill
assets
Difference of
share
premium
account
By decreae of
nominal value
of the share
and capital
return with
cash payment
to
shareholders
New
shares
total
Shares total Share Capital after
the
increase/decrease
Nominal value
per share
Founding
Capital
618/13.6.66 514.673,51 - - 5.000 5.000 14.673,51 2,93
27/07/1968 930/23.8.68 - 514.673,51 - 5.000 10.000 29.347,03 2,93
29/11/1971 1978/20.12.71 - 58.694,06 - 20.000 30.000 88.041,09 2,93
27/06/1975 2233/15.10.75 - 17.608,22 - 6.000 36.000 105.649,30 2,93
11/10/1982 4007/11.11.82 3,00 109.461,42 - 37.300 73.300 215.113,72 2,93
19/02/1988 446/17.3.88 528.246,52 1.897.872,34 - 2.926.700 3.000.000 2.641.232,58 0,88
24/06/1989 4336/29.12.89 - 264.123,26 - 300.000 3.300.000 2.905.355,83 0,88
21/12/1992 228/21.1.93 - 290.535,58 - 330.000 3.630.000 3.195.891,42 0,88
11/06/1994 2985/17.6.94 479.383,71 3.195.891,42 - 4.174.500 7.804.500 6.871.166,54 0,88
27/06/1998 5395/7.7.98 - 5.496.933,24 - 6.243.600 14.048.100 12.368.099,78 0,88
05/03/1999 1572/22.3.99 6.648.774,76 - - 7.551.900 21.600.000 19.016.874,54 0,88
23/06/2000 7051/25.7.00 3.847.395,45 - - 4.370.000 25.970.000 22.864.269,99 0,88
22/06/2001 5916/11.7.01 - 3.105.730,01 - - 25.970.000 25.970.000,00 1
21/06/2002 6897/8.7.02 - 25.970.000,00 - 25.970.000 51.940.000 51.940.000,00 1
20/06/2003 12169/4.11.03 Cancellation 987.080 of own
shares
- - 50.952.920 50.952.920,00 1
10/06/2011 99/19.1.11 39.402,00 - - 39.402 50.992.322 50.992.322,00 1
13/06/2014 243951/3.9.14 Share capital increase
3.569.462,54 by capitalization
of tax free reserves
3.297.339,74 and share
premium differences
272.122,08
- - 50.992.322 54.561.784,54 1,07
22/12/2016 881038/03.01.17 361.754,16 - - 338.088 51.330.410 54.923.538,70 1,07
16/06/2017 1111376/06.7.17 - - 5.133.041,00 - 51.330.410 49.790.497,70 0,97
18/12/2017 1315305/26.1.18 303.879,66 - - 313.278 51.643.688 50.094.377,36 0,97
15/06/2018 - 2.065.747,52 - - 51.643.688 52.160.124,88 1,01
15/06/2018 1411661/27.6.18 - - 5.164.368,80 - 51.643.688 46.995.756,08 0,91
17/12/2018 1638212/22.1.19 148.899,66 - - 163.626 51.807.314 47.144.655,74 0,91
Total 51.807.314 47.144.655,74 0,91

17. Reserves

The movement of the reserves is analyzed as follows:

Group Company
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Statutory Reserves 19.905 19.688 6.686 6.686
Revaluation Reserves 722 722 0 0
Foreign exchange diff. from Statement of
Financial Position transl. reserves
(9.193) (7.265) 0 0
Extraordinary /Taxfree Reserves 16.313 16.313 6.970 6.970
SOP Reserve 1.989 1.617 2.122 1.750
IRS Reserve (217) (124) 0 0
Total 29.520 30.951 15.778 15.406

Statutory Reserve: In accordance with the provisions of Greek company law, the creation of a statutory reserve, through the transfer of the 5% of the annual after tax profits, is mandatory up until the reserve reaches 1/3 of the share capital. The statutory reserve is only distributable upon dissolution of the Company, it may however be used to set - off accumulated losses.

Extraordinary / Tax-free Reserves: The Group has Extraordinary/Tax-free Reserves of amount € 16.313 thousand (2017: € 16.313 thousand), which was mainly derived from disposal of shares listed in Athens Stock Exchange, dividends, interests and income from bad debt provision of L. 3296/04. In case of distribution or capitalisation, the reserves will be taxed with the official tax rate declared by L.4172/2013 (Note 24).

Exchange Differences from subsidiaries accounts conversion: This reserve is comprised from the foreign exchange differences arising from the retranslation of the financial statements of Subsidiaries which have a different functional currency from the parent company.

Cash Flow Hedging reserve: The hedging reserve comprises of the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of cash flow hedging instruments (IRS) (Note 21).

SOP Reserves: This reserve is created with the General Assembly approval of the SOP for employees of the Company and Group. After the exercise of the options or waive of beneficiaries, the remaining amount of the reserve can be transferred to Retained Earnings.

Revaluation Reserves: This reserve is created from revaluation on land and buildings. According to Greek Law, revaluation reserves can not be distributed to shareholders.

18. Dividends

The Shareholders Ordinary General Assembly held on 15/6/2018 did not propose a dividend distribution for the year 1/1 – 31/12/2017. The parent company registered in its income dividend from subsidiary of amount € 5 million during the year 2018.

19. Employee retirement benefits

19.1 Liabilities due to termination of service

The obligation of employee compensation due to termination of service (Law 2112/20, 4093/12 for Greek Companies, Bulgarian Labor Law for Bulgarian Companies and Labor Law 1475 for Turkish

Company) appears in the Financial Statements in compliance with IAS 19 and is based on an actuarial study elaborated by AON Hewitt on December 31st,2018.

Basic assumptions of the actuarial study for Greece are the following:

Greek Companies 2018 2017
Average annual payroll increase 1,00% 1,00%
Discount interest rate 1,75% - 2,05% 1,59% - 1,80%
Inflation 1,00% 1,00%
Plan duration (years) 15-22 16-23

In case of an average annual payroll increase by 0,50% (namely 1,50%), the amount of liabilities due to termination of service of Greek companies would increase from 7,46% to 11,12%. In case of a discount rate increase by 0,50%, the amount of liabilities due to termination of service of Greek companies would decrease from 6,73% to 9,76%.

Bulgarian Companies 2018 2017
Average annual payroll increase 3,50% 3,50%
Discount interest rate 1,03% 1,70%
Inflation 2,00% 2,00%
Plan duration (years) 23-29 24-28

In case of an average annual payroll increase by 0,50% (namely 4,00%), the amount of liabilities due to termination of service of Bulgarian companies would increase from 11,70% to 15,09%. In case of a discount rate increase by 0,50% (namely 1,53%), the amount of liabilities due to termination of service of Bulgarian companies would decrease from 10,55% to 13,75%.

Turkish Company 2018 2017
Average annual payroll increase 15,00% 7,10%
Discount interest rate 18,00% 10,50%
Inflation 13,00% 5,10%
Plan duration (years) 24 23

In case of an inflation increase by 0,50% (namely 13,50%), the amount of liabilities due to termination of service would increase by 11,00% for INTERSPORT ATLETİK MAĞAZACILIK VE DIŞ TİCARET A.Ş. In case of a discount rate increase by 0,50% (namely 18,50%), the amount of liabilities due to termination of service would decrease by 9,50% for INTERSPORT ATLETİK MAĞAZACILIK VE DIŞ TİCARET A.Ş. In the analysis of sensitivity of Turkey, a reference is made to the inflation rate and not to compensation increase because benefits in Turkey are subject to a maximum salary (plafond)

and an increase/decrease of inflation will affect the maximum salary.

The expense derived from the compensation to employees due to retirement, that was recorded in the Income Statement of the financial year 2018 is analysed as follows:

Group Company
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
Service Cost 360 346 27 26
Interest Cost 77 74 8 8
Cost reduction/settlement/termination service 273 283 (34) 2
Total amount allocated in Income
statement
710 704 1 36
Balance of liability at the beginning 4.357 3.921 494 430
Compensation due to retirement 710 704 1 36
Paid amounts (371) (375) 0 0
Actuarial gains 53 118 20 28
Foreign exchange difference (13) (11) 0 0
Balance of liability in the end 4.736 4.357 515 494

Amounts in Actuarial gains/losses appear in Statement of Comprehensive Income and regard employee retirement defined benefits programs.

19.2 Share based payments

The Ordinary General Assembly of the Company of June 16, 2017, under the context of Stock Option Plan, approved the disposal of 2.566.520 stock options and the authorization to the Board of Directors regarding the settlement of procedures and details. The program will be implemented in four waves, with a maturity period of five years per wave. Options should be exercised within five years since their maturity date. In case that, after the grant some of the options remain undisposed, those options will be cancelled. The underlying price of each wave is the closing stock price on the day of General Assembly's resolution regarding the approval of the program.

On 20/11/2017 the board of Directors granted 641.630 Stock Options, which are the first of the four waves. The underlying share price, to which conferred options reflect, is determined at the amount of 5,768 € per share which is the closing stock price of the share (adjusted with the share capital decrease which took place after the date of the General Assembly).

The options of the wave mentioned above are granted within five years as follows:

Vesting Date No of Options
31/12/2017 128.326
31/12/2018 128.326
31/12/2019 128.326
31/12/2020 128.326
31/12/2021 128.326
The fair value of options has been calculated based on the simulation of the Company's share price
assuming that the price will develop to the "Binomial Pricing" model. Fair value per option and vesting
date has been defined based on model 5 Bermudan option as follows:
Vesting Date Value per Option €
31/12/2017 0,962
31/12/2018 1,064
31/12/2019 1,152
31/12/2020 1,225
31/12/2021 1,290

The variables upon which the data above were calculated are as follows:

Variable Value
Exercise Price € 5,77
Grant Date 20/11/2017
Stock Volatility 28,1%
Dividend Yield 1,72%
Attrition Rate 0%
Risk Free Rate 0,3953%

On 19/11/2018 the board of Directors granted 641.630 Stock Options, which are the second of the four waves. The underlying share price, to which conferred options reflect, is determined at the amount of 5,667 € per share which is the closing stock price of the share (adjusted with the share capital decrease which took place after the date of the General Assembly).

The options of the wave mentioned above are granted within five years as follows:

Vesting Date No of Options
31/12/2018 128.326
31/12/2019 128.326
31/12/2020 128.326
31/12/2021 128.326
31/12/2022 128.326
The fair value of options has been calculated based on the simulation of the Company's share price

assuming that the price will develop to the "Binomial Pricing" model. Fair value per option and vesting date has been defined based on model 5 Bermudan option as follows:

Vesting Date Value per Option €
31/12/2018 0,541
31/12/2019 0,623
31/12/2020 0,694
31/12/2021 0,756
31/12/2022 0,809

The variables upon which the data above were calculated are as follows:

Variable Value
Exercise Price € 5,67
Grant Date 19/11/2018
Stock Volatility 26,6%
Dividend Yield 2,012%
0%
Attrition Rate
Risk Free Rate
0,575%

On 20/11/2018, the BoD of the Company issued an Invitation to the beneficiaries of the SOP which was approved by the Extraordinary General Assembly held on 27/9/2013 and the Ordinary General Assembly held on 16/6/2017, regarding the exercise of their options. 16 beneficiaries responded to

this Invitation and exercised their option for the acquisition of 163.626 shares, of nominal value € 0,91 and underlying price € 3,28 per share and paid the total amount of € 537.069,61.

It is noted that the underlying price of shares to which the distributed options reflect, had been initially determined at the amount of € 3,40 per share, which was the closing stock price of the share on the date of the resolution of the General Assembly regarding the SOP since 27/9/2013 (Extraordinary General Assembly date). Due to corporate events (capital return by cash payment), the historical closing price of the share was readjusted and formed at the amount of € 3,34 per share (Based on the BoD resolution of 20/11/2017). Following the resolution of the Ordinary General Assembly held on 15/6/2018, the historical share price changed resulting from corporate action regarding the decrease of the Company's share capital with decrease of share's nominal value by the amount of € 0,10 and the capital return to shareholders. After this adjustment, the historical share price is now formed at € 3,28.

Also, the underlying price of shares to which the distributed options reflect which was established with resolution of the Ordinary General Assembly of shareholders of the Company on 16/6/2017, had been initially determined at the amount of € 5,87 per share, which was the closing stock price of the share. Due to corporate events (capital return by cash payment), the historical closing price of the share was readjusted and formed at the amount of € 5,77 per share (Based on the BoD resolution of 20/11/2017). Following the resolution of the Ordinary General Assembly held on 15/6/2018, the historical share price changed resulting from corporate action regarding the decrease of the Company's share capital with decrease of share's nominal value by the amount of € 0,10 and the capital return to shareholders. After this adjustment, the historical share price is now formed at € 5,67.

During the period 1/1 – 31/12/2018, beneficiaries waived their right to exercise 0 options (2017: 11.580) which were granted by the BoD on 25/11/2013, beneficiaries waived their right to exercise 6.220 options (2017: 13.626) which were granted by the BoD on 24/11/2014 and also beneficiaries waived their right to exercise 6.720 options (2017: 26.097) which were granted by the BoD on 25/11/2015.

During the period 1/1 – 31/12/2018, the amount of € 372.467 (2017: € 219.258) was registered in the Consolidated Income Statement as an expense.

19.3 Benefit contributions under the private insurance program

During the year ended on December 31, 2018 the amount of defined benefit contributions under the private insurance program that was recorded as an expense by the parent Company totaled at € 333 thousand (2017: € 188 thousand) while the respective amount recorded as an expense by the Group amounted to € 896 thousand (2017: € 477 thousand).

20. Financial Instruments and Risk Management Policies

20.1 Credit Risk

Exposure to Credit Risk

The Group has significantly reduced its exposure to credit risk due to the disinvestment of the wholesale trading of electrical equipment segment and the focus in the retail segments where the payment of goods is mainly made by cash or credit cards discounts. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the date of the Statement of Financial Position, without taking into consideration any hedging or insurance strategies, was as follows:

Book Value
€000s 2018 2017
Trade receivables 2.541 2.140
Other Debtors 11.688 16.007
Credit Cards receivable 3.725 7.168
Cash & cash equivalent 39.854 36.603
Total 57.808 61.917

The maximum exposure to credit risk on trade receivables of the Group without taking into consideration any hedging or insurance strategies at the date of the Statement of Financial Position, per geographic segment was as follows:

Book value
Greece Southeastern Europe
Countries
2018 2017 2018 2017
€000s
Trade receivables 2.455 2.079 86 61
Other Debtors 9.464 13.706 2.224 2.301
Credit Cards receivable 2.029 4.922 1.697 2.246
Cash & cash equivalent 22.769 25.634 17.085 10.969
Total 36.717 46.341 21.091 15.576

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the date of the Statement of Financial Position, per customer

type was:

Book Value
2018 2017
€000s
Wholesale trade customers 2.356 1.884
Retail trade customers 185 256

20.2 Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is retained at low levels by maintaining adequate bank credit lines and significant cash and cash equivalents which on 31/12/2018 amounted to € 40 million for the Group vs € 36,6 million on 31/12/2017. During year 2018, the Group managed to maintain the improved credit terms from its main suppliers.

The contractual loan dues including interest payments, excluding the net - off agreements, are as per

Immediate
termination
3 months 3 to 12
months
1 to 5 years More than 5
years
Total
2018
Credit lines 0 0 1.826 0 0 1.826
Short-term loans 5.000 1.000 3.561 0 0 9.561
Long-term loans 494 781 7.842 113.365 0 122.481
Leasing 48 96 443 409 0 995
Total 5.542 1.877 13.671 113.773 0 134.863
2017
Credit lines 0 400 2.378 0 0 2.778
Short-term loans 68 8.500 4.735 0 0 13.303
Long-term loans 495 992 7.797 117.500 0 126.784
Leasing 45 91 419 995 0 1.549
Total 609 9.983 15.328 118.495 0 144.414

paragraph Borrowings, while for Accounts Payable and Other Liabilities are less than 12 months.

20.3 Foreign Exchange Risk

Foreign exchange risk exposure

The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from its transactions in foreign currencies (RON, USD, TRY, SEK). The percentage of the balance of suppliers in currency other than the publication currency (euro) is 18,64% of the total. The Group, in order to minimize the foreign exchange risk, in certain cases pre - purchases foreign currencies.

The Group has investments in companies overseas, the net assets of which are exposed to foreign exchange risk. This type of foreign exchange risk (translation risk) arises due to the operations in Romania (RON), Bulgaria (BGN) and Turkey (TRY). The Management has managed to reduce foreign exchange risk, given the strong capital structure of the companies and to decrease borrowings in currencies other than the local.

More particularly, approximately 90% of GENCO TRADE SRL loans, which is located in Romania, are in local currency (RON) in an effort to avoid the exchange difference charges resulting from RON devaluating vs. the Euro. In Bulgaria the local currency is pegged to the Euro (EUR/ BGN = 1.95583) a fact which can not guarantee that economic problems and consequences of the global crisis on Bulgaria, will not increase the risk that this conversion ratio will remain constant. In Turkey, the financing for commercial activity is in local currency, while for investments is in euro.

liabilities)
thousands euros)
(Trade creditors and other
(Foreign currency in
31/12/2018 31/12/2017
USD (70) 138
GBP 6 0
CHF 0 (1)
SEK 284 460
RON 3.187 2.800
TRY 16.299 3.566
BGN 0 0
Euro 4.804 7.538

Sensitivity Analysis

A Euro revaluation of 10% at December 31, vs the below currencies would increase (decrease) the Net Equity and the Operating Results as per the amounts indicated at the below summary. It is assumed that all other variables (Interest Rates) would remain constant.The analysis was performed in a similar manner for 2017.

Impact in €000s
Dec 31 , 2018
Net Equity Operating Result
USD (7) (7)
GBP 1 1
SEK 28 28
TRY 1.630 1.630
RON 319 319
TOTAL 1.971 1.971
Dec 31 , 2017
USD 14 14
SEK 46 46
TRY 357 357
RON 280 280
TOTAL 697 697

A Euro devaluation of 10% at December 31, vs the aforementioned currencies would have an equal but opposite impact in comparison to the ones presented above, based on the assumption that all the other variables would remain constant.

The exchange rates of foreign currencies used for the conduction of the financial statements of the year 2018, are presented at the table below:

Financial Position 31/12/2018
TRY - Turkish Lira 6.0588
BGN - Bulgarian Lev 1.95583
RON - Romanian New Leu 4.6635
Profit & Loss 1/1/2018 - 31/12/2018
TRY - Turkish Lira 5.7077
BGN - Bulgarian Lev 1.95583
RON - Romanian New Leu 4.654

20.4 Interest Rate Fluctuation Exposure

Profile

The Group is subject to cash flow risks which in the case of possible variable interest rates fluctuation, may affect positively or negatively the cash inflows or outflows related to the Group's assets or liabilities. Despite of the fact that we believe that in an environment of prolonged global slowdown, the risk of rising interest rates remains low, the group has entered into Interest Rate Swap (IRS) contracts effectively converting part of the loans from floating to fixed interest rate for a period of 3 to 5 years.

The profile of Group's loan liabilities at the date of the Statement of Financial Position is analysed in paragraph Borrowings.

Sensitivity Analysis of fair value for financial instruments with a variable interest rate

A 1% fluctuation of the Group's borrowing rate at December 31, would increase (decrease) equally the Net Equity and the Operating Results by € 1.349 thousand for the year 2018 and € 1.444 thousand for the year 2017.

Sensitivity Analysis of fair value for financial instruments with a fixed interest rate

No such Instruments (Assets/Liabilities) valued at fair value through income statement exist.

20.5 Fair value of financial instruments

The carrying amounts of the financial instruments of assets and liabilities (i.e. trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents, trade and other payables, derivative financial instruments, borrowings and finance leases) approximate their fair value. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between two market participants at the measurement date. The fair values of the financial instruments as of 31 December 2018 represent management's best estimate. In situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date, the fair value measurement reflects the Group's own judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Those judgments are developed by the Group based on the best information available in the circumstances.

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

  • Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
  • Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data;
  • Level 3: Assets or liabilities prices that are not corroborated by market data.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, trade and other payables accounts: the carrying amounts approximate their fair value either due to the short maturity of these instruments or because there is no foreign currency risk exposure.

  • Borrowings: The carrying amount approximates their fair value mainly due to the fact that they bear interest at floating rates and are denominated in local currency.
  • Derivative financial instruments: The valuation method was determined by taking into consideration all factors in order to determine precisely fair value, such as the current and the prospective interest rates trend and the duration and falls into level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Within the year, there were neither moving between levels 1 and 2 nor moving inside and outside level 3 during the measurement of fair value. Moreover, within the same year, there was no change in the purpose of any financial asset which would lead to a different classification of this asset.

20.6 Capital Management

The primary objective of the Group's capital management is to ensure and maintain strong credit ratings and healthy capital ratios in order to support the investment projects and maximizing the return of invested capital for the shareholders.

The Group monitors its capital management through the use of a gearing ratio - net debt divided by equity plus net debt - where net debt includes interest bearing loans and borrowings minus cash. The Group's strategic objective is to maintain the above ratio between 30% and 45%. On 31/12/2018 the ratio stood at 44% (2017: 39%).

21. Borrowings

Borrowings for the year 2018 and 2017 are analyzed as follows:

Group
31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Non - current loans 122.481 126.784
Finance Leases 995 1.549
Total long term loans and short term portion of long term loans 123.476 128.334
Current portion of non-current loans and borrowings 9.117 9.285
Short-term portion of non-current Lease 586 555
Non - current loans 113.773 118.495
Short term loans for working capital 11.387 16.081
Total loans and borrowings 134.863 144.414

The Company had no loan liabilities on 31/12/2018 and on 31/12/2017.

The maturity table of the Finance Lease Liability is as follows::

Group
1/1 - 31/12/2018 1/1 - 31/12/2017
Up to 1
year
2 - 5
years
More
than 5
years
Total Up to 1
year
2 - 5
years
More
than 5
years
Total
Future Lease Payments 629 420 0 1.049 629 1.049 0 1.678
Less Interest (43) (11) 0 (54) (75) (54) 0 (129)
Present Value of Future Lease
Payments
586 409 0 995 555 995 0 1.549

The repayment period of non - current loans varies between 1 to 7 years and the average effective interest rate of the Group was 3,97% during the year 2018 (2017: 4,08%). Repayments and proceeds of loans of the current period amounted to € 40.341 thousand (2017: € 67.948 th.) and € 32.347 thousand (2017: € 65.915 th.) respectively. Non - current loans, including their part which is payable within 12 months, cover mainly the Group's growth needs and are analyzed in bond, syndicated and other non - current loans as follows:

31/12/2018 Amount Issuing
Date
Duration
Bilateral 2.386 17/3/2011 5 years from the issuing date (€1.139
th. payable forthcoming period)
Η.Μ. HOUSEMARKET
(CYPRUS) LTD
Bilateral 600 30/3/2016 3,5 years from the issuing date (€600
th. payable forthcoming period)
Bilateral 1.350 30/3/2016 6 years from the issuing date (€600
th. payable forthcoming period)
4.336
TRADE LOGISTICS SA Bond 5.950 8/3/2017 5 years from the issuing date (€600
th. payable forthcoming period)
5.950
RENTIS SA Bond 8.250 19/7/2017 3 years from the issuing date
(payment at maturity date)
8.250
HOUSE MARKET BULGARIA
AD
Syndicated 32.228 11/7/2016 9 years from the issuing date (€4.257
th. payable forthcoming period)
32.228
INTERSPORT SA Bond 27.186 28/7/2017 5 years from the issuing date (€1.920
th. payable forthcoming period)
Bond 5.000 28/7/2018 5 years from the issuing date
(payment at maturity date)
32.186
HOUSEMARKET SA Bond 39.531 4/10/2016 5 years from the issuing date
39.531
Total 122.481
31/12/2017 Amount Issuing
Date
Duration
Η.Μ. HOUSEMARKET
(CYPRUS) LTD
Bilateral 300 17/8/2011 7 years from the issuing date (€305
th. payable forthcoming period)
Η.Μ. HOUSEMARKET
(CYPRUS) LTD
Bilateral 2.900 17/3/2016 5 years from the issuing date (€514
th. payable forthcoming period)
Η.Μ. HOUSEMARKET
(CYPRUS) LTD
Bilateral 582 17/3/2016 2 years from the issuing date (€582
th. payable forthcoming period)
Η.Μ. HOUSEMARKET
(CYPRUS) LTD
Bilateral 1.400 30/3/2016 3,5 years from the issuing date (€800
th. payable forthcoming period)
Η.Μ. HOUSEMARKET
(CYPRUS) LTD
Bilateral 1.950 30/3/2016 6 years from the issuing date (€600
th. payable forthcoming period)
7.137
TRADE LOGISTICS SA Bond 6.550 8/3/2017 5 years from the issuing date (€600
th. payable forthcoming period)
6.550
RENTIS SA Bond 8.250 19/7/2017 3 years from the issuing date
(payment at maturity date)
8.250
HOUSE MARKET BULGARIA
AD
Syndicated 36.304 11/7/2016 9 years from the issuing date (€3.948
th. payable forthcoming period)
36.304
INTERSPORT SA Bond 29.182 28/7/2017 5 years from the issuing date (€1.935
th. payable forthcoming period)
29.182
HOUSEMARKET SA Bond 39.361 4/10/2016 5 years from the issuing date
39.361
Total 126.784

Non –current loans include:

a) The bond loan issued by the company HOUSEMARKET S.A. of five-year maturity. The Bond Loan, was disposed through a public offering between 28th and 30th of September 2016 in Greece by cash payment and the available 40 million bearer bonds were issued on 6/10/2016 for trading in the Fixed Income Securities Category of the regulated market of Athens Stock Exchange. The loan is subject to

Greek law, has a five year maturity date with fixed interest rate 5% per year and quarterly interest payment. Direct costs of the bond loan issue amounted to € 853 th., of which € 43 th. have been allocated within the year 2016, € 171 th. within the year 2017, € 171 th. within the year 2018, € 171 th. will be allocated within 12 months of the year 2019 and € 297 th. within the next years.

b) The remaining finance lease liability of amount € 1.000 th. of the company INTERSPORT ATHLETICS S.A. through which it financed the purchase of new mechanical equipment for warehousing and transportation of goods in the warehousing premises of the subsidiary company TRADE LOGISTICS S.A. on 29 September 2015. The finance lease expires on September 2020.

Short term loans of the Group include current loans and overdraft bank accounts which are used for the Group's working capital needs. The amounts drawn are used mainly to cover current obligations to suppliers.

The weighted average interest rate of short term loans for the period 1/1/2018 to 31/12/2018 was approximately 10,18% (2017: 6,05%), as a result of the increase in interest rates in Turkey. The subsidiary INTERSPORT ATLETIK SA despite its low borrowing (TRY 21.170.557 on 31/12/2018), composes 31% of total working capital of the Group and therefore it has a significant impact on the calculation of weighted average interest rate.

During the current period, Interest Rate Swaps or IRSs continue to exist, in order to mitigate the risk of subsidiaries of a sudden increase in interest rates in the interbank market.

The terms of the swap agreements are as follows:

  • 7year financial product (IRS) that hedges interest rate risk through the exchange of fixed/ floating rate for nominal amount of 25,1 million euros, with a negative fair value for HOUSE MARKET BULGARIA AD on 31/12/2018 of € 241 thousand (31/12/2017: € 122 thousand). The outcome of the valuation has been registered in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.
  • 5year financial product (IRS) that hedges interest rate risk through the exchange of fixed/ floating rate for nominal amount of 5 million euros, with a negative fair value for HOUSE MARKET BULGARIA AD on 31/12/2017 of € 16 thousand. This product ended on 11/6/2018.

Some of Group's loans include loan covenants. On 31/12/2018 the Group was in compliance with the terms of its loans.

The Group, having centralized its capital management, has the ability to directly identify, quantify, manage and hedge, if necessary, its financial risks created by its operational activities so as to be consistent to the changes in the economic environment. The Group continuously observes and budgets its cash flow and acts appropriately in order to ensure open credit lines for covering current capital needs. The Group has adequate open credit lines with domestic and foreign financial institutions in order to cover the needs of the companies in working capital. On 31/12/2018, the open balance of credit lines amounted to € 95 million.

22. Other Non-Current Liabilities

Other Non-Current Liabilities are analyzed as follows:

Group Company
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Received Guarantees 179 173 23 23
Government Grants 4.331 4.481 0 0
Reserve for IRS 241 138 0 0
Total 4.751 4.792 23 23

23. Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are analyzed as follows:

Group Company
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Trade payables 76.049 76.472 143 175
Accrued expenses 8.816 8.715 676 531
Other payables 4.951 2.260 81 129
Taxes liability 11.373 7.745 219 185
Customers advances 1.768 1.458 0 0
Insurance Organizations 2.786 2.875 167 157
Total 105.743 99.526 1.285 1.177

Increase in other payables of the Group, is mainly due to liabilities from customers loyalty programs which will be redeemed within the program's validity period. For the Group, the total liability arising from IFRS 15 adoption amounts to € 3.092 th. (1/1/2018: € 2.829 th. and 31/12/2017: € 0).

The impact on retained earnings on 1/1/2018 from the adoption of IFRS 15 is analyzed as follows: liability recognition mainly from customers' loyalty program of amount € 2.829 th. (31/12/2017: € 0), taxes 732 th. (31/12/2017: € 0) and retained earnings € 2.098 th. (31/12/2017: € 0).

24. Income taxes

The nominal tax rates in the countries that the Group is operating vary between 10% and 29% for the year 2018, as follows:

Income Tax Rate Income Tax Rate
Country (31/12/2018) (31/12/2017)
Greece (*) 29,0% 29,0%
Romania 16,0% 16,0%
Bulgaria 10,0% 10,0%
Cyprus 12,5% 12,5%
Turkey 22,0% 20,0%

(*) According to article 23 of L. 4579/2018, income tax rates of legal entities are gradually decreased

by 1% every year as follows: 28% for tax year 2019, 27% for tax year 2020, 26% for tax year 2021 and 25% for tax year 2022 and so on.

On 31/12/2018, the impact of future tax rates changes on other comprehensive income, amounts to € 230 th. profit for the Group and 99 th. loss for the Company.

The parent company and its subsidiaries have not been audited by the tax authorities for the years noted below:

COMPANY YEARS
FOURLIS HOLDINGS SA
INTERSPORT ATHLETICS SA
GENCO TRADE SRL
GENCO BULGARIA EOOD
TRADE LOGISTICS SA
HOUSEMARKET SA
HM HOUSEMARKET (CYPRUS) LTD
HOUSE MARKET BULGARIA AD
RENTIS SA
2013 – 2018 ()
2013 – 2018 (
)
2007 – 2018
2017 – 2018
2013 – 2018 ()
2013 – 2018 (
)
2012 – 2018
2013 – 2018
2013 – 2018 (*)
INTERSPORT ATHLETICS (CYPRUS) LTD
WYLDES LTD
INTERSPORT ATLETİK MAĞAZACILIK VE DIŞ TİCARET A.Ş.
2006 – 2010 and
2012 - 2018
2009 – 2018
2018

Assosiate companies have not been audited by the tax authorities for the years noted below:

COMPANY YEARS
VYNER LTD 2009 – 2018
SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPRISES LTD 2015 – 2018

(*) For the fiscal years 2011, 2012 and 2013 all companies of the Group located in Greece, have been subjected to tax audit by Certified Audit Accountants in compliance with the provisions of Article 82 par. 5 of Law 2238/1994 and for the fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 in compliance with the provisions of Article 65 a of Law 4174/2013 and received a Tax Compliance Certificate for fiscal years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 while tax audit for the fiscal year 2018 is in progress. Upon completion of the audit, the Management of the Company and Group does not expect any significant liabilities to occur, other than those recorded in the Financial Statements. In order for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 to be considered integrated, provisions specified in par. 1a of Article 6 POL 1159/2011 should apply. The integration of the years 2014 and 2015 is implemented based on POL 1124/2015.

The income tax expense for the year 2018 and the relative year 2017 is as follows:

Group Company
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
Income tax 2.551 2.119 (0) (0)
Tax audit differences (0) 228 (0) (0)
Deferred Taxes:
Differences of fixed assets 670 731 (2) (1)
Provisions for employee benefits (101) (86) (14) (11)
Effect of changes on tax rates (230) (0) 99 (0)
Supplier adjustment (0) (0) (0) (0)
Provisions 2 272 (0) 2
Accrued Taxes 1.287 1.110 (0) 14
Inventory Write Off Provision (0) 120 (0) (0)
Total Deferred taxes 1.628 2.147 84 4
Income Tax Expense 4.179 4.493 84 4

The reconciliation between the nominal tax rate and the effective tax rate is analyzed as follows:

Group Company
1/1 - 1/1 - 1/1 - 1/1 -
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Profit Before Taxes 18.470 14.532 3.534 4.033
Income tax based on nominal tax rate (5.356) (4.214) (1.025) (1.170)
Tax rate differences 2.770 2.132 0 0
Tax on tax free income 0 0 1.450 1.450
Tax on non-deductible expenses (429) (696) 0 (36)
Tax on tax losses (1.388) (1.542) (425) (221)
Tax audit differences 0 (228) 0 0
Miscellaneous timing differences 224 56 (84) (27)
Tax in statement of comprehensive
income
(4.179) (4.493) (84) (4)

Miscellaneous timing differences include the amount of € 230 th. (31/12/2017: 0) for the Group and € 99 th. (31/12/2017: 0) for the Company, regarding the effect of taxes due the change in tax rates.

Deferred taxes on 31/12/2018, which are presented in the Statement of Changes in Equity and are related to the impact due the adoption of IFRS 15 for the Group amount to € 732 th. (31/12/2017 : 0). (Note 23).

Deferred taxes on 31/12/2018, which are presented in the Statement of Comprehensive Income and compose income due to valuation of cash flow hedging at the fair value, amount to € 10 th. (31/12/2017: € 25 th.) and income due to defined benefits plans, amount to € 11 th. (31/12/2017: € 23 th.). Deferred taxes on 31/12/2018 which are presented in the Statement of Comprehensive Income due to defined benefits plans for the Company, amount to € 6 th. (31/12/2017: € 8 th.)

Deferred taxes as at 31 December 2018 and 31 December 2017 which appear in other Financial Statements are analysed as follows:

Group Company
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
Liabilities:
Depreciation Difference 518 417 0 0
Employee retirement benefits (183) (199) 0 0
Expenses Provision (17) 63 0 0
Reclass of Revenue account 8 0 0 0
Bond interest accruals 82 0 0 0
Provision Other Expenses (241) 0 0 0
Impairment on reserves (18) 0 0 0
Total 150 282 0 0
Assets:
Depreciation calc. difference (3.737) (4.194) 7 6
Employee retirement benefits 938 1.003 125 139
Stock devaluation 196 295 0 0
Provisions 415 (146) 25 12
Provision for doubtful debts 944 1.087 0 0
Deferred income tax 5.370 6.846 480 557
Fixed assets revaluation (290) 0 0 0
Total 3.837 4.890 637 714

Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences between assets and liabilities tax recognition and financial statements composition.

On 31/12/2018, the Group had accumulated carried forward tax losses in its subsidiaries on part of which a provision was made for deferred tax asset of amount € 5.370 thousand (31/12/2017: € 6.846 thousand) as the Management considered that the recognition criteria were met. For the part of tax losses on which a deferred tax asset has been recognized, the Management estimates that they will be covered against taxable profits before their expiration date.

Given that some of the Group companies have not been audited by the tax authorities for a few years, as mentioned above, it is considered by the Group that adequate provisions for current and future tax audit differences have been made. On 31/12/2018, the cumulative Group's provision for unaudited tax years amounts to € 114 thousand (€ 139 th. on 31/12/2017) and to € 20 thousand for the Company as at 31/12/2018 (€ 20 th. on 31/12/2017) which is displayed in Income Tax Payable.

25. Earnings/Losses per share

The basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing the profit attributable to shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of shares during the period. The weighted average number of shares as at 31 December 2018 is 51.807.314 (31/12/2017: 51.643.688).

Group
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
Profit / (Loss) after tax attributable to owners of the
parent
14.291 10.039
Number of issued shares 51.807.314 51.643.688
SOP Impact 608.759 731.933
Effect from purchase of own shares 0 0
Weighted average number of shares 52.416.073 52.375.621
Basic Earnings / (Losses) per Share (in Euro) 0,2758 0,1944
Diluted Earnings / (Losses) per Share (in Euro) 0,2726 0,1917

26. Treasury Shares

On 31/12/2018, the Company does not hold any treasury shares. It is noted that following the resolution of the ordinary General Assembly of the shareholders on 17/6/2016, a stock option plan has been established until the maximum number of 2.549.616 shares (5% of the paid share capital) which is in force until 17/6/2018, namely 24 months since the approval of the General Assembly.

27. Commitments and Contingencies

27.1 Commitments

  • The parent Company has issued letters of guarantee for its subsidiaries guaranteeing liabilities amounting to € 82.261 th.
  • The parent Company has issued letters of guarantee for indirect subsidiaries guaranteeing liabilities amounting to € 21.632 th.
  • The parent Company has contracted as a guarantor with the amount of € 2.100 th. for future leases and loan liabilities from investment of an associate company.
  • The parent Company has issued guarantee over third company to secure loan, amounting to € 4.000 th.
  • A subsidiary company of the Group mortgage its property to secure a bond loan amounting to € 11.005 th.
  • A subsidiary company of the Group mortgage its property to secure a bond loan amounting to € 45.372 th.
  • A subsidiary company of the Group mortgage its property to secure bond loans amounting to € 22.700 th.
  • A subsidiary company has provided fluctuating guarantee on assets amounting to € 6.800 th. to secure bilateral loans.

27.2 Operating Lease

Group as Lessee: The Group has leasing contracts for plant and equipment in order to cover its

operating needs. This is accomplished through finance and operating leasing contracts. Concerning the finance leasing contracts see above in paragraph "Borrowings".

Concerning operating leasing contracts, the total future dues for rents as below:

Group Company
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Up to 1 year 20.802 24.633 197 200
Between 1-5 years 69.297 85.953 648 676
More than 5 years 85.227 117.865 209 351
Total 175.326 228.451 1.054 1.227

The expense for operating leasing of financial year 2018, that was recorded in the income statement amounted to € 23.128 thousand (€ 23.254 thousand for the year 2017).

Group as Lessor: The future leasing contracts of the Group as a lessor are as below:

Group Company
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Up to 1 year 1.090 1.069 0 0
Between 1-5 years 3.608 4.765 0 0
More than 5 years 2.441 3.273 0 0
Total 7.139 9.107 0 0

27.3 Litigation

There are no litigation or arbitration proceedings as well as resolutions of judicial institutions that might have a material impact on the assets of the Group's companies.

28. Related parties

Related parties of the Group include the Company, subsidiary and associated companies, the management and the first line managers. The parent company provides advice and services to its subsidiaries in the areas of IT, HR, financial planning and controlling, treasury and social responsibility. The analysis of the related party receivables and payables as at 31 December 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

Group Company
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Receivables
from:
HOUSE MARKET SA 0 0 5.250 5.248
H.M. HOUSE MARKET
(CYPRUS) LTD
0 0 17 14
INTERSPORT SA 0 0 851 631
INTERSPORT (CYPRUS) LTD 0 0 5 3
RENTIS SA 0 0 2 2
GENCO TRADE SRL 0 0 156 25
GENCO BULGARIA 0 0 12 10
HOUSE MARKET BULGARIA AD 0 0 43 111
INTERSPORT ATLETIK 0 0 504 323
TRADE LOGISTICS SA 0 0 23 21
SPEEDEX SA 0 0 0 0
VYNER 140 0 0 0
TRADE STATUS SA 119 132 118 132
SW SOFIA MALL ENTERPRISES
LTD
96 0 0 0
TOTAL 355 132 6.980 6.520
Payables to: HOUSE MARKET SA 0 0 0 0
TRADE LOGISTICS SA 0 0 1 1
SPEEDEX SA 0 181 0 1
TRADE STATUS SA 1 1 0 0
SOFIA SOUTH RING MALL AED 3 4 0 0
MANAGEMENT MEMBERS 38 24 38 24
TOTAL 42 210 38 26

Related party transactions as at 31 December 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

Group Company
1/1 - 1/1 - 1/1 - 1/1 -
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Revenue 95 107 4.288 4.114
Other operating income 0 20 1.080 784
Dividends 0 0 5.000 5.000
Total 95 128 10.368 9.898
Group Company
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
Administrative expenses 241 265 12 13
Distribution expenses 0 476 0 (0)
Total 241 742 12 13

During 2018 and 2017, transactions and fees of management members were as follows:

Group Company
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
Transactions and fees of management
members
2.515 2.452 568 546

There are no other transactions between the Group and the Company with the management. The transactions with related parties are arm's length and include mainly sales and purchases of goods and services under the context of the ordinary operation of the Group.

29. Transactions with Subsidiaries

During financial years 2018 and 2017, between the parent company and its subsidiaries the following transactions occurred:

Group Company
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
1/1 -
31/12/2018
1/1 -
31/12/2017
Revenue 41.308 36.958 4.193 4.019
Cost of sales 29.146 25.956 0 0
Other income 2.245 1.925 1.080 765
Administrative expenses 9.072 8.585 11 7
Distribution expenses 5.293 4.356 0 0
Other operating expenses 43 2 0 0
Dividends 8.000 8.000 5.000 5.000
Group Company
31/12/2018 31/12/2017 31/12/2018 31/12/2017
Trade receivables 14.586 14.125 6.861 6.388
Inventory 281 281 (0) (0)
Creditors 14.586 14.125 1 1

The Group has issued letters of guarantee for its subsidiary and associated companies guaranteeing liabilities. The analysis of such letters of guarantee is disclosed in which appears in Note «Commitments and Contingencies».

30. Subsequent events

There are no other subsequent events that may significantly affect the financial position and results of the Group other than the following:

  • those mentioned in Note 6 of the Report of Board of Directors and are related to the exercise of stock options of the SOP,
  • on 28/2/2019, it was announced that the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission during its meeting held at 838/28.02.2019 resolved on granting a license to the company under formation "TRADE ESTATES REAL ESTATES INVESTMENT COMPANY" for its operation as a) a Real Estate Investment Company according to the provisions of L. 2778/1999 and b) an internally managed Alternative Investments Fund Manager ("AIFM") according to the provisions of L. 4209/2013. Fourlis Group, through TRADE ESTATES REIC aims at operating a REIC that will be investing purely in quality retail properties and E-Commerce infrastructure. The Retail evolution in physical and digital form, creates significant opportunities in the real estate market in Southeastern Europe. The impact on consolidated financial statements has not yet been quantified.
  • on 24/1/2019, Ministry of Development approved the application of a subsidiary company in order for its business plan, regarding the supply of mechanical equipment of amount € 6.719.230, to be

subject to the provisions of L. 4399/2016.

  • on 28/1/2019, the guarantee of the parent Company over third company (associated until fiscal year 2017) for loan of amount € 4.000 th., is reduced by € 1.000 th. by equally decreasing contingent liabilities of the Group.
  • on 20/2/2019, a subsidiary of the Group issued a five-year unsecured Common Bond Loan amounting at fifteen million euros for financing its business operations. The loan was covered entirely by the bond lender on 26/2/2019.

Web site for the publication of the Annual Financial Statements

The Annual Financial Report of the Group (Consolidated and Separate), The Independent Auditors Report and the Board of Directors Report for the year 2018 has been published by posting on the internet at the web address http://www.fourlis.gr. At the same web address, all Annual Financial Statements, Audit Reports and Board of Directors Reports of the companies which are consolidated and they are not listed and which cumulatively represent a percentage higher than 5% of consolidated revenues or assets or operating results after the deduction of minority shares proportion, are published.

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