AGM Statement
23 September 2003 - 7:58PM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:0529Q
Park Group PLC
23 September 2003
23 September 2003
Park Group Maintains Momentum in Current Year
"The current year is maintaining the improved momentum achieved last year",
Peter Johnson, chairman, will tell shareholders of Park Group at the company's
AGM (at 12 noon) in Birkenhead today.
"Growth this year in the cash savings division is up #20m, approximately 13 per
cent, at a total of #150m, while the High Street Gift Voucher, the UK's largest
multi-redemption voucher accepted in over 16,000 stores, continues to gain new
customers, particularly within the gift and incentive markets.
"Cash lending, which last year delivered ahead of budget and reported its first
operating profit, is making further strong headway. At #23m, the loan book is up
#3m on 2002-03 with collections running 60 per cent higher than a year ago. The
bad debt ratio continues to improve. We are adding to our chain of fast cash
shops and now have 37 of these against 18 a year ago."
Reporting on progress in other parts of the Park group, Mr. Johnson added: "Link
Brand Solutions, the group's gift packing company, is benefiting both from the
restructuring carried out last year and from new licence agreements secured with
the owners of several high profile brands. Our contact centre operation has
reduced costs and is now busy implementing the restructuring programme initiated
towards the end of the last financial year.
"Despite ongoing investment in the loan book, and having resumed the payment of
dividends last year, the group's cash position continues to strengthen. In light
of this improving trend, particularly the growing strength of the group's core
cash savings and cash lending activities, I feel we may look to the future with
confidence."
Press Enquiries:
Peter Johnson
Chairman
Park Group plc
Tel: 0151 653 1700
Issued on behalf of Park Group plc by Tavistock Communications Limited (Contact
Keith Payne on 020 7920 3150.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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