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Mulberry Group Plc

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FY2017 Annual Report · Mulberry Group Plc
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25493.04   18 July 2017 5:44 PM  Proof 51Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2017HighlightsFINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS• Total revenue up 8% to £168.1 million (2016: £155.9 million)• Profit before tax up 21% to £7.5 million (2016: £6.2 million)• Cash of £21.1 million at the end of the period (2016: £14.0 million)• Inventory reduced to £42.8 million (2016: £44.4 million)OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS• Retail sales (including Digital) up 8% to £128.3 million (2016: £118.7 million) with like-for-like up 5%• Revenue from Digital channels increased by 19% to represent 15% of Group revenue (2016: 14%) with localised mulberry.com sites introduced in China and Korea• Establishment of Mulberry (Asia) Limited (“Mulberry Asia”), a majority-owned entity, to develop the brand in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan• New products introduced under the creative direction of Johnny Coca, including the new Zipped Bayswater, continue to gain momentumTEN YEAR REVENUE REVIEW180160140120100806040200£m2008200920102011201220132014201520162017Mulberry AR2017 - Web.indd   124/07/2017   10:55:21Contents

Strategic report

Directors, secretary and advisers

Corporate governance

Directors’ remuneration report

Directors’ report

Directors’ responsibilities statement

Independent auditor’s report

Group income statement

Group statement of comprehensive income

Group balance sheet

Group statement of changes in equity

Group cash flow statement

Notes to the Group financial statements

Company balance sheet

Company statement of changes in equity

Notes to the Company financial statements

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Group five year summary

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Strategic report

Year ended 31 March 2017

BUSINESS REVIEW

Mulberry  continues  to  make  progress  with  increased  sales  and  profit.  Total  revenue  grew  by  8%  to  £168.1  million  
(2016: £155.9 million), and profit before tax by 21% to £7.5 million (2016: £6.2 million) driven by growth in sales. The Group 
has generated cash of £7.3 million (before the effect of foreign exchange rate changes) during the year and maintained 
strong control over the balance sheet. 

During the year the Group acquired the Mulberry store in Australia from its long-standing distribution partner and in March 
2017 signed an agreement with Challice Limited (“Challice”), its ultimate controlling party, to directly operate its business 
in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. These transactions will further develop the Group’s international strategy.

The Group has invested in creative and product development and a large number of new products were launched in the year 
that continue to gain traction. Looking forward, the Group will continue to invest in product and international development. 

Sales
Key elements of growth in sales have been:
1) Product launches, 2) Retail, Digital and Omni-channel enhancement and 3) Selective Wholesale development.

1) Product launches
During the year, a significant number of new products were launched under the creative direction of Johnny Coca. The 
Zipped Bayswater bag has become an immediate bestseller since its launch during October 2016 and the family will be 
further extended in future seasons. The bag was highlighted during the marketing campaign, “Modern Heritage”, which 
ran during April and May 2017.

2) Retail, Digital and Omni-channel
Global Digital sales were up 19% to £25.5 million for the year (2016: £21.4 million), accounting for 15% of Group revenue 
(2016: 14%). Retail sales (including Digital) were up 8% to £128.3 million for the year (2016: £118.7 million) with like-for-like 
sales up 5%.

A  number  of  services  were  added  to  the  Group’s  omni-channel  offer  during  the  year  and  local  mulberry.com  sites  were 
introduced in China and Korea. In the USA, a local distribution centre has been established in order to facilitate local fulfilment.

There were 67 directly operated stores at the end of the year (2016: 67 stores). The network was refined with two key priorities:

•  UK enhancement: relocation of the Covent Garden and Bicester stores; and 

•  International development: acquisition of the store in Sydney, Australia at the start of the year and through the 
Mulberry Asia agreement, signed at the end of the financial year, the Group has acquired post year end one store 
in Hong Kong and in addition will acquire two stores in China, and one concession in Taiwan during the financial 
year ending March 2018; in North America, two stores were closed, New York (Madison Avenue) and Washington, 
the digital offer was enhanced and sales commenced to the Nordstrom department store chain. 

3) Selective Wholesale
Wholesale revenue, comprising sales from partner stores and selective multi-brand wholesale accounts, increased 7% to 
£39.8 million (2016: £37.2 million). 

The franchise store network at the year end had a total of 52 stores in Asia, Europe and the Middle East (2016: 55 stores). As 
highlighted above, the four stores acquired by Mulberry Asia post year end will join the Group’s own Retail store portfolio 
during the financial year to March 2018.

The  Wholesale  sales  trend  reflects  a  positive  reaction  to  the  new  collections.  Selective  new  wholesale  accounts  were 
opened in Europe, North America and Asia.

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Strategic report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

UK Retail Sales*

International Retail Sales*

Group Retail Sales

Wholesale Sales

Group Total Sales

52 weeks to 
31-Mar 2016 
(£ millions)

52 weeks to 
31-Mar 2017 
(£ millions)

Total change 
(this year vs 
last year)

Like-for-like 
change ** 
(this year vs 
last year)

97.4

21.3

118.7

37.2

155.9

106.8

21.5

128.3

39.8

168.1

+10%

+1%

+8%

+7%

+8%

+5%

+7%

+5%

n/a

n/a

*   Regional splits include Digital sales
**   LFL is defined as the year-on-year change in sales from stores which have been trading for 12 months, from the anniversary of the store opening. 

Digital sales increased by 19% in the year to 31 March 2017

Financial
Gross margin for the year to 31 March 2017 was 61.6% (2016: 62.0%). After incurring significant production start-up costs due 
to a large number of new designs introduced during the first six months, production efficiencies returned to normal levels 
during the second six months of the year. Gross margin reflects a one-off cost of £0.6 million relating to stock repurchase 
associated with the North Asia acquisition.

Operating expenses (net) for the year increased to £96.5 million (2016: £90.5 million) primarily due to higher Retail store 
costs of £3.7 million, and increased marketing and advertising and promotion costs of £1.6 million.

Profit before tax was £7.5 million (2016: £6.2 million) after accounting for non-recurring costs relating to activities in North 
Asia (£0.8 million), adverse currency movements (£0.5 million) and non-cash store impairments (£1.1 million).

The tax charge for the year was £2.5 million (2016: £3.5 million) giving an effective tax rate of 33.8% (2016: 56.8%) and is 
following the implementation of a revised transfer pricing policy. The Group expects the effective tax rate to remain at this 
level in future.

Capital expenditure for the year was £5.3 million, including £3.2 million invested in stores (including Digital), £0.9 million in 
IT systems and £0.6 million in factories.

Inventories decreased to £42.8 million at 31 March 2017 from £44.4 million at 31 March 2016 reflecting an on-going initiative 
to maintain lower inventory levels in the business.

The Group generated cash of £7.3 million (before the effect of foreign exchange rate changes) during the year with cash 
balances of £21.1 million as at 31 March 2017 (2016: £14.0 million) and has no debt.

North Asia
The Group has created a new entity, Mulberry (Asia) Limited (“Mulberry Asia”) with Challice Limited (“Challice”) to operate 
its business in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. As a result, the existing Distribution Agreement with Club 21 for the Asia-
Pacific region has been modified to remove Hong Kong, China and Taiwan from Club 21’s distribution territory. Challice, 
which  owns  c.  56%  of  the  Group’s  share  capital,  is  under  the  same  ultimate  shareholder  control  as  Mulberry’s  existing 
distributor in the region, Club 21. The Group owns 60% of the share capital of Mulberry Asia, with Challice holding the 
remaining 40%. 

Mulberry Asia commenced trading in Hong Kong during April 2017. A subsidiary in China and a branch office in Taiwan 
are being formed and are expected to be operational during 2017, once the relevant business licences for those territories 
have been received. 

The  total  share  capital  of  Mulberry  Asia  is  £3.2  million  (HK$32.0  million),  of  which  the  Group  has  invested  £1.9  million  
(HK$19.2 million).

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Year ended 31 March 2017

Dividend
The  Board  of  Mulberry  seeks  to  balance  paying  dividends  to  shareholders  with  investing  in  the  business.  The  Board 
remains confident of the medium term outlook and is recommending the payment of a dividend of 5.0p per ordinary share  
(2016: 5.0p) which will be paid on 23 November 2017 to shareholders on the register at 27 October 2017.

CURRENT TRADING AND OUTLOOK

Sales
Like-for-like Retail sales (including Digital) were up 1% for the 10 weeks to 3 June 2017. In the UK, like-for-like sales were up 
2% and continue to benefit from an increase in tourist spending in London, although domestic demand has been softer. 
International like-for-like sales show a weakening in non-strategic locations with management continuing to focus on the 
optimisation of the store network. 

This year vs. last year (%)

UK Retail*

International Retail*

Group Retail total

Retail like-for-like sales**
52 weeks 
to 31-Mar 
2017

10 weeks 
to 3-June
2017

26 weeks 
to 30-Sep
2016

26 weeks 
to 30-Sep
2016

Retail total sales*
52 weeks 
to 31-Mar 
2017

10 weeks to 
3-June***
2017

+7%

+10%

+7%

+5%

+7%

+5%

+2%

-3%

+1%

+12%

+2%

+10%

+10%

+1%

+8%

-3%

0%

-3%

*  Regional splits include Digital sales
**  LFL is defined as the year-on-year change in sales from stores which have been trading for 12 months, from the anniversary of the store opening.
***  The decline in total sales reflects the shift in timing of the half-yearly UK friends and family event which occurred during April 2016 but took place during 

March in 2017

Digital sales increased by 19% in the year to 31 March 2017 and increased by 23% in the 10 weeks to 3 June 2017

Wholesale
During the current financial year North Asia (Hong Kong, China, Taiwan) will transition from a wholesale account to a Retail 
subsidiary and will reduce the Group’s total Wholesale revenue and increase Retail revenue. 

International
The Group will continue to invest in enhancing its international network, with a focus on Asian markets. 

Mulberry Asia’s Hong Kong activities have been operational since 3 April 2017, with activities in China and Taiwan expected 
to  commence  during  2017.  Since  the  end  of  March  2017,  the  store  in  Hong  Kong  has  been  relocated  to  an  improved 
location, a pop-up shop has been opened in a prominent Hong Kong shopping mall and a new store has been opened in 
Shanghai. The Group also plans to relocate the existing store in Beijing to a better location during Summer 2017. 

In Europe and North America, the Group continues to focus on improving productivity in existing stores, with limited new 
store openings and strategic refinement of the store network, as opportunities arise, coupled with further omni-channel 
enhancements.

Omni-channel
The Group has introduced further enhancements to the Digital and omni-channel offering and will continue to invest in this 
area going forward.

In Asia, the mulberry.com sites in China and Korea are expected to be fully translated during Summer 2017. 

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Strategic report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

Capital expenditure
A new design concept for the Group’s stores is being developed. This will lead to increased capital expenditure as it is 
rolled out. This is expected to commence during 2018.

Capital expenditure for the full year ending 31 March 2018 is expected to be in the region of £7.5 million (2017: £5.3 million), 
of which the majority will be on stores.

BUSINESS MODEL

Mulberry  is  a  vertically  integrated  luxury  brand  which  was  founded  in  1971  in  Somerset.  The  Group  designs,  develops, 
manufactures, markets and sells products under the Mulberry brand name. The Group has over 1,400 employees (full-time 
equivalents), the majority of whom are based in the UK. The design studio for leather goods is based in London, where the 
seasonal collections are conceived. The two Somerset factories, which are owned by the Group, employ nearly 700 people 
and manufacture approximately 50% of the brand’s handbags. The remainder of production is outsourced to specialist third 
parties, mainly outside the UK, with whom the Group has long-standing relationships. 

Mulberry’s product offer spans several categories. Leather accessories account for over 90% of the Group’s revenues, within 
which bags represent over 70% of revenues. Other important product categories include small leather goods, shoes, soft 
accessories and women’s ready-to-wear.

Brand and marketing activities are based in London with the support of offices in Paris and New York. Mulberry distributes 
its products globally via 119 stores in 26 countries (67 directly operated, 52 partner), the brand’s digital site (mulberry.com) 
and selected wholesale partners.

Digital has become an important part of the business and is expected to continue to increase in importance going forward, 
both  as  a  revenue  channel  and  as  a  highly  effective  means  of  engaging  with  the  Group’s  customers.  Mulberry’s  digital 
business is managed in-house, utilising industry-leading software. Mulberry.com trades in seven currencies and ships to 
over 190 countries, all of which are fulfilled from the UK, except for orders from the USA, which since July 2016 are now 
fulfilled from the US distribution centre. Omni-channel functionality which was launched in the UK in 2015 and includes in-
store digital ordering, in-store collection of digital orders (Click & Collect) and in-store digital returns has now also been 
rolled out in Europe and USA. 

Stores remain an integral and important part of the Group’s business model. Mulberry directly operates stores in the UK, 
continental  Europe,  North  America  and  Australia,  with  the  addition  of  Hong  Kong  after  the  year  end.  In  Scandinavia, 
Mulberry has long-standing partners who run ten stores in those markets. Partners also run Mulberry stores in Asia (32 stores), 
the Middle East (three stores) and continental Europe (one store). Looking forward, it is expected that the business model 
will reflect the significant changes occurring in the luxury industry with strategically placed stores and selective relationships 
with key wholesale accounts supporting a comprehensive digital service globally, with all touch points providing the same 
customer experience. 

STRATEGY

The Board’s long term objective is to grow Mulberry as a global luxury brand, offering unique and desirable product at the 
best value for price, and thereby create shareholder value. The Group considers that revenue growth is the key performance 
indicator with which this goal can be measured.

Product
Leather goods remain the core commercial focus of the Group. Following the acceleration of new product launches during 
the financial year ended 31 March 2017, there will continue to be a focus on novelty in coming seasons. This will include 
the extension of existing bag families into new sizes, as well as the introduction of new bag designs to cover all functions 
and lifestyles.

Over the longer term, the objective is to reinforce Mulberry as a lifestyle brand by strengthening complementary categories 
to its core leather goods ranges. The key focus categories are footwear, ready-to-wear, soft accessories and jewellery. As 
part of the initiative to further develop these relatively new categories, the Group will continue to invest in targeted product 
development and marketing.

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Year ended 31 March 2017

Marketing and Brand
Mulberry continues to invest in building the brand globally via a dynamic marketing and communication strategy, aiming to 
engage with new and loyal customers, whilst enhancing the understanding of the brand in new and emerging markets. The 
Group aims to engage with customers across all touch points via an integrated marketing approach coupling traditional 
events and press formats with extensive use of digital, mobile and social media. Digital continues to take the highest share 
of all media investment.

To reinforce its customer-centric business strategy and enhance the customer experience, the Group recently announced 
that it is evolving the format of its seasonal collection launches. The Group will hold private previews of its Spring Summer 
2018 collection in Autumn 2017 to UK editors in London and international press and buyers in Paris. The collection will be 
unveiled during London Fashion Week during February 2018 to offer an instantly shoppable, real-time global consumer 
experience. The shift will enable the Group to continue to drive engagement and increase relevance with its customers. 

The Group continues to develop its Somerset-based customer service operations, including further investment in aftercare 
and call centre operations.

Retail, Digital and Omni-channel
The Group will continue to strengthen its position in the UK and expand internationally through its omni-channel strategy, 
with well situated stores complemented by a strong digital presence. The penetration of omni-channel is expected to grow 
in the UK, Europe and North America, through continued enhancements of the offering. The Group also plans to introduce 
omni-channel services to newly controlled territories, including Australia, China and Hong Kong.

In  the  short  to  medium  term,  the  Group  plans  to  continue  to  strategically  refine  and  enhance  the  store  network,  while 
focusing upon improving the range of omni-channel services to match rapidly evolving customer buying behaviour.

Operations
The Group continues to invest in its operational capability to maintain a high quality, scalable platform.

The  Group’s  two  factories  in  Somerset  manufacture  approximately  50%  of  its  bags,  reinforcing  the  authenticity  of  the 
Mulberry brand and, at a practical level, contributing to the attainment of high product quality standards. Looking forward, 
the  Group  is  committed  to  its  “Made  in  England”  strategy  and  intends  to  maintain  its  UK  production  of  handbags  at 
approximately 50%. 

As part of the strategic goal of best-in-class service to our customers, the Group will continue to invest in IT and digital 
infrastructure and orientate organisational structures around the customer.

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Strategic report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

Principal risks and uncertainties
The management of the business and the execution of the Group’s growth strategies are subject to a number of risks which 
could adversely affect the Group’s future development. The principal risks are discussed below.

•  Economic  climate.  The  Group  continues  to  be  impacted  by  the  wider  global  economic  climate  and  any 
deterioration could affect sales both in the UK and internationally. A significant amount of Mulberry sales are 
generated in the UK and so a decline in the UK economy, which reduced consumer spending on luxury goods, 
could materially affect trading results. The Group’s continuing strategy to increase the penetration of international 
markets is expected to reduce the impact of this expansion plan over time. 

•  Individual market performance. The Group’s long term objective is to grow Mulberry as a global luxury brand. 
There is a risk that international expansion will not develop in line with expectations. This risk has continued to 
grow in importance following the increase in the number of international stores. The risk is managed through the 
financial evaluation of each potential new store location and the continued oversight by senior management. As 
a consequence of the review of the international business, the decision was made during the year to impair the 
assets in two stores (2016: two stores) which were trading at a loss. We expect the performance of developing 
markets to benefit from the impact of the creative direction of Johnny Coca, as well as the roll out of the omni-
channel strategy which is in early stages of development. 

•  Currency  risk.  The  Group’s  sales  and  purchases  are  made  in  Sterling,  Euros  and  US  Dollars  and  therefore  it 
is  exposed  to  fluctuations  in  these  exchange  rates.  With  the  weakening  of  Sterling  against  the  Euro  and  US 
Dollar there is a consequent increase in raw materials bought in foreign currency which increases costs of sales. 
However, revenues earned in foreign currency also appreciate when Sterling weakens, both from revaluation gain 
and a boost to UK tourist revenues creating some natural currency hedge. A treasury policy which incorporates a 
hedging strategy has been implemented to manage any risk of exchange rate volatility. 

•  Brand. The risk of a deterioration in the Group’s luxury brand position is mitigated by ongoing investment into 

product development, marketing, retail estate and the digital experience. 

•  Cash.  The  management  of  cash  is  of  fundamental  importance.  The  increase  in  cash  during  the  year  reflects 
the overall trading performance and lower rate of capital expenditure. At the year end the Group had a cash 
balance of £21.1 million (2016: £14.0 million). The Group currently has no debt but nonetheless has arranged bank 
facilities of £4.5 million (including a £4.0 million multi-currency overdraft facility) which are in place until 31 May 
2018. In addition, the Group has renewed its £7.5 million revolving credit facility until 31 October 2018. As such, 
the Group is on a firm financial footing and confident of its ability to continue as a going concern.

•  UK production. With the increase in percentage of products being made in Mulberry’s own UK based factories, 
there  is  a  risk  that  the  Group  gross  margin  may  be  diluted  through  inefficient  production  or  an  increase  in 
UK  labour  costs.  Factory  efficiency  is  monitored  on  a  weekly  basis  and  production  techniques  are  continually 
reviewed and refined to ensure we are creating quality products in an efficient manner, and by assessing whether 
to manufacture product internally or externally.

•  Loss of talent. The risk of the loss of key personnel is mitigated by regular reviews of remuneration packages 
(including long term incentive schemes) and succession planning within the management team. For each new 
management role, a comprehensive induction programme is in place followed by a detailed handover period 
where possible.

•  Competition.  Competitive  pressures,  changes  in  luxury  fashion  trends  and  hence  consumer  demand  are 
continuing risks which could result in a loss of sales. The Group manages this risk by the continuous investment in 
the design of new products and marketing to stimulate customer interest and by maintaining strong relationships 
with customers.

•  Trademarks. As with all brands, the Group is exposed to risk from unauthorised use of the Group’s trademarks 
and other intellectual property. These are not included on the balance sheet but any infringement could lead to a 
loss of profits and have a negative impact on image. Trademarks are registered and where any infringements are 
identified, appropriate legal action is taken.

•  Terrorist  activity.  A  major  terrorist  attack,  particularly  in  central  London,  could  seriously  affect  the  Group’s 
operations,  as  would  a  fire  or  significant  disruption  to  the  Group’s  warehouse.  The  Group  has  developed  a 
business continuity plan to mitigate the impact, as well as making sure that adequate insurance is in place.

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Year ended 31 March 2017

•  IT systems. The Group’s IT systems and operational infrastructure are critical to its operations and ability to sell 
and deliver its products. A number of controls are in place which would be implemented in the event of a major 
failure and IT security is continually reviewed and updated. Over the next year, the Group plans to continue the 
development of its omni-channel offering and CRM. If these projects were to be unsuccessful, it could also have 
an impact on operations. Senior management involvement and significant pre-implementation testing are part 
of the carefully designed project to minimise the risks of the roll out. Cyber fraud is an increasing risk with threat 
of deletion, theft, or damage to the integrity of the Group’s electronic data, which could also result in operational 
disruption and reputational damage. The Group manages this risk by regular third party audits of system security 
and by not holding customer credit and debit card data.

•  UK decision to leave the European Union. The primary risks following the decision to leave the European Union 
are considered to be uncertain UK consumer confidence and the implications of the changes to duty and the 
movement of goods across borders for the purposes of production and sale of goods. The Group’s strategy to 
expand internationally will reduce the impact of uncertainty in the domestic market.

Corporate social responsibility
The  Group’s  approach  is  based  on  a  simple  principle:  that  Mulberry  will  make  a  positive  difference  to  its  people,  the 
environment and the communities in which it works. Employees are actively encouraged to find new ways of meeting our 
wider responsibilities, and as such have focused our initiatives in the following key areas:

•  Climate change – investing in the latest technologies to help reduce energy consumption and impact on the 

environment and sourcing purchases from sustainable or renewable sources wherever possible;

•  Reducing waste – there is a continuous process to identify ways to reduce waste, as well as recycling as much 

material as possible from our UK sites, especially to community arts and crafts groups;

•  Manufacturing  and  apprentices  –  Mulberry  is  proud  to  produce  approximately  50%  of  its  leather  goods  in  its 
own British factories where it employs nearly 700 people. Since 2006 it has run an award winning apprenticeship 
programme at these factories to train young people to become accomplished craftsmen and craftswomen;

•  Fair partners – ensuring by way of regular audits that suppliers adhere to the Mulberry Global Sourcing Principles 
which help to create a suitable environment for their workers, including working hours and child labour provisions. 
Under the UK Modern Slavery Act, UK companies with a turnover of more than £36 million are obliged to publish 
an annual Slavery and Human Trafficking statement which can be found on the Group’s website, mulberry.com;

•  Animal welfare – commitment to ethical practices and traceability in our leather, fur and exotic skins supply chains; 

•  Community  involvement  –  Mulberry  actively  donates  money,  product  and  support  to  charities  in  our  local 
communities. Each year three charities are selected by employees for the Group to support. For the year under 
review this was Jessie May, a South West based charity who provide free of charge home care to children with life-
limiting conditions, ensuring they get the best quality of life possible and supporting their families throughout.

People
During the year, the Group has launched a significant number of new products and progressed several strategic projects. 
We would like to thank the entire Mulberry team for their continuing hard work and commitment to the brand.

By order of the Board.

Thierry Andretta
Chief Executive
13 June 2017

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Directors, secretary and advisers

Year ended 31 March 2017

Directors:

Godfrey Pawle Davis FCA

Thierry Patrick Andretta

Neil James Ritchie FCA (appointed 16 May 2016)

Andrew Christopher (Chris) Roberts FCCA

Registered Office:

Steven Grapstein CPA

Melissa Ong

Christophe Olivier Cornu

Julie Gilhart

The Rookery

Chilcompton

Bath

Somerset

BA3 4EH

Company Secretary:

Kate Anthony Wilkinson LLB

Nominated Adviser: 

GCA Altium Limited

London

Nominated Broker:

Barclays Bank plc

Registered Auditor:

Solicitors:

London

Deloitte LLP

Bristol

Osborne Clarke

Bristol

Principal Bankers:

HSBC Bank plc

Bristol

Registrars:

Computershare Investor Services plc

PO Box 82

The Pavilions

Bridgwater Road

Bristol

BS99 7NH

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Corporate governance

Year ended 31 March 2017

The Company is listed on the Alternative Investment Market and is not required to comply with the provisions set out in 
the UK Corporate Governance Code that was issued in 2014 by the Financial Reporting Council (‘the Code’). However, the 
Directors support the principles contained in these requirements and apply these where they consider they are appropriate 
to Mulberry Group plc.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board comprises two Executive Directors and six Non-Executive Directors. Thierry Andretta, acts as Chief Executive 
and Godfrey Davis acts as Non-Executive Chairman. 

Roger  Mather  resigned  as  Group  Finance  Director  on  16  May  2016  and  Neil  Ritchie  was  appointed  as  Chief  Financial 
Officer. Further details regarding the Directors are set out in the Directors’ report.

The  Directors  consider  it  important  that  the  Board  should  include  Non-Executive  Directors  who  bring  considerable 
knowledge and experience to the Board’s deliberations. The Board meets formally on a bi-monthly basis and is responsible 
inter alia for overall Group strategy, investments and capital projects and for ensuring that an appropriate framework of 
internal control is in place throughout the Group.

The Executive Directors are each employed under a contract of employment which can be terminated with twelve months 
notice. The Non-Executive Directors provide their services under twelve month agreements renewed annually on 1 April.

NOMINATIONS AND REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

Details  of  the  composition  and  role  of  the  Nominations  and  Remuneration  Committee  are  provided  in  the  separate 
Directors’ remuneration report.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee was chaired throughout the year by Steven Grapstein. The other members of the Committee were 
Chris Roberts and Christophe Cornu.

During the year all Directors have been encouraged to attend Audit Committee meetings where possible as part of the 
programme to maintain the Group’s systems of internal control. The Committee may examine any matters relating to the 
financial affairs of the Group. This includes the review of the annual financial statements, the interim financial statements 
and other financial announcements, prior to their approval by the Board, together with accounting policies and compliance 
with accounting standards, and of internal control procedures and monthly financial reporting, and other related functions 
as the Committee may require. The Non-Executive Directors have access to the Group’s auditor and legal advisers at any 
time without the Executive Directors being present.

INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROL

The Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s systems of internal financial control and for monitoring their effectiveness.

The Directors place considerable importance on maintaining full control and direction over appropriate strategic, financial, 
organisational  and  compliance  issues,  and  have  put  in  place  an  organisational  structure  with  formally  defined  lines  of 
responsibility  and  delegation  of  authority.  Any  system  of  internal  financial  control  is  designed  to  manage,  rather  than 
eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives, and can only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance 
against material misstatement or loss. 

There  are  established  procedures  for  business  planning,  for  information  and  reporting  and  for  monitoring  the  Group’s 
business and its performance. Adherence to specified procedures is required at all times and the Board actively promotes a 
culture of quality and integrity. Compliance is monitored by the Directors. This includes comprehensive budgeting systems 
with an annual budget approved by the Board, monthly consideration of actual operational results compared with budgets, 
forecasts and regular reviews by the Board of year end forecasts. The Board reports to shareholders half-yearly.

The  Group’s  control  systems  address  key  business  and  financial  risks.  Matters  arising  are  reviewed  on  a  regular  basis. 
Performance indicators are reviewed at least monthly to assess progress towards objectives. Variances from approved plans 
are followed up vigorously.

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Directors’ remuneration report

Year ended 31 March 2017

Mulberry Group plc is listed on the Alternative Investment Market and therefore is not required to prepare a Directors’ 
remuneration report. The following narrative disclosures are prepared on a voluntary basis and are not subject to audit.

At the year end, the Nominations and Remuneration Committee comprised:

•  Chris Roberts (Chairman and Non-Executive Director);

•  Melissa Ong (Non-Executive Director); and

•  Julie Gilhart (Non-Executive Director)

The Committee is responsible for nominating Directors to the Board and then determining the remuneration and terms and 
conditions of employment of Directors and senior employees of the Group. 

The Committee meets at least once a year in order to consider and set the annual salaries and performance incentives for 
Executive Directors and senior management, including grants of share options and bonus schemes. Executive Directors’ 
salaries are reviewed on 31 March each year, along with the remuneration of all other Group employees.

REMUNERATION OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

The Non-Executive Directors each receive a fee for their services, which is agreed by the Board taking into account the 
role to be undertaken. They do not receive any pension or other benefits from the Company apart from a small allowance 
of Mulberry products, nor do they participate in any of the equity or bonus schemes. As an exception, on becoming Non-
Executive Chairman in June 2012, Godfrey Davis retained his vested and unvested options and share awards as they were 
granted to him whilst he was Chief Executive.

The Non-Executive Directors are appointed for a twelve month term.

REMUNERATION POLICY FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

The Company’s remuneration policy for Executive Directors considers a number of factors and is designed to:

•  have regard to the Director’s experience and the nature and complexity of their work in order to pay a competitive 

salary, consistent to comparable companies, that attracts and retains Directors of the highest quality;

•  reflect the Director’s personal performance;

•  link individual remuneration packages to the Group’s long term performance and continued success of the Group 

through the award of annual bonuses and share-based incentive schemes;

•  provide post-retirement benefits through contributions to an individual’s pension schemes; and

•  provide employment-related benefits including the provision of a company car or cash alternative, life assurance, 
insurance relating to the Director’s duties, housing allowance, medical insurance and permanent health insurance.

SALARIES, BONUSES AND OTHER INCENTIVE SCHEMES

Each Executive Director receives a base salary, the opportunity to earn an annual bonus and a long term incentive. Typically, 
the annual bonus will not exceed 100% of the annual salary. 

There are three long term incentive arrangements. These are as follows:

An Unapproved Share Option Scheme which was introduced in April 2008. Options granted in this scheme typically vest 
after three years. For the grant made during April 2015 this has been reduced to 2.5 years because the grant was originally 
meant to take place six months earlier but was delayed whilst its quantum was discussed and agreed by the Nominations 
and Remuneration Committee.

A Deferred Bonus Plan which represents a long term award scheme where participants receive all or part of their annual 
bonus in shares. These shares are held as deferred shares in the Mulberry Group Plc Employee Share Trust for a vesting 
period of two years. Matching shares are then granted and vest after a period of two years, conditional upon the participant 
remaining an employee of the Group and the original deferred shares remaining in the Trust.

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Year ended 31 March 2017

SALARIES, BONUSES AND OTHER INCENTIVE SCHEMES (CONTINUED)

A  Co-ownership  Equity  Incentive  Plan  where  participants  are  granted  an  interest  in  shares  which  are  co-owned  by  the 
Mulberry Group Plc Employee Share Trust and participate in the value to the extent that the Mulberry share price exceeds 
20% above the market price at the date of grant. The vesting period is generally three years, after which the employee has 
the right to sell the beneficial interest in the shares. This plan was established in August 2009.

The following information is required by the Companies Act and is subject to audit.

Basic 
salary/ fees
 £’000

Bonus
 £’000

Taxable 
benefits
 £’000

Pension

contributions(3)

£’000

2017
Total
 £’000

2016
Total
£’000

Executive Directors
Thierry Andretta(1)

Neil Ritchie

Roger Mather(2) 

Non-Executive Directors

Godfrey Davis

Chris Roberts

Steven Grapstein

Melissa Ong

Christophe Cornu

Julie Gilhart

 760

 194

 84

 200

 50

 45

 45

 45

 45

 225

 60 

 -

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 10

 3

 7

 -

 1

 -

 3

 -

 1

 10

 9

 -

 -

 -

 -

 -

 -

 -

1,005

 266

 91

 917

 -

 424

 200

 200

 51

 45

 48

 45

 46

 50

 45

 46

 45

 46

Notes:
1.  Thierry Andretta was the highest paid Director during the year. He was appointed as Chief Executive on 7 April 2015, after serving as a Non-Executive 

 1,468

285

 25

 19

1,797

1,773

Director until that date. 

2. Roger Mather resigned as a Director on 16 May 2016.
3. Pension contributions are paid into defined contribution schemes.

The emoluments disclosed do not include any amounts for the value of share options or share awards granted to or held 
by the Directors. These are detailed as follows:

(a) Options granted under the 2008 Unapproved Share Option Scheme

Granted

Exercised

31 March 
2017

Exercise 
price (£) 

Date of 
exercise 

Roger Mather (1)

Thierry Andretta

Thierry Andretta

Neil Ritchie

 -

 -

 -

 -

 70,000

 24,500

 -

 -

 -

-

 70,000

230,415

 70,000

 24,500

 7.58

 8.68

10.342

10.342

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

31 March 
2016

70,000

230,415

Average 
market 
price on 
exercise 
(£)

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

For the options granted to Thierry Andretta on 10 April 2015, the market price on the date of grant was £8.68 and may be 
exercised at any time between 1 January 2018 and 1 January 2025.

For the options granted to Thierry Andretta and Neil Ritchie on 1 July 2016, the market price on the date of grant was 
£10.342 and may be exercised at any time between 1 July 2019 and 1 July 2026.

1. Roger Mather exercised 70,000 options after the year end. The average market price on the date of exercise was £11.07.

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Directors’ remuneration report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

(b) Jointly owned shares under the Co-ownership Equity Incentive Plan

31 March 
2016

Granted

Exercised

31 March 
2017

Godfrey Davis

300,000

 -

 -

 300,000

The right to exercise the interest in these shares vested on 9 October 2012 and remains exercisable until 9 October 2019. 
The market price of these shares at the date of the award was £1.21½. 

(c) Options granted under the Long Term Incentive Plan

31 March 
2016

Granted

Lapsed

31 March 
2017

Exercise 
price (£) 

Roger Mather

28,600

 -

 (28,600)

 -

 Nil

The options granted to Roger Mather lapsed during the year as part of the terms agreed on notice of his resignation. 

Share price information
The market price of Mulberry Group plc ordinary shares at 31 March 2017 was £10.85 (2016: £9.85) and the range during the 
year was £9.75 to £11.50 (2016: £8.49 to £9.99).

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Directors’ report

Year ended 31 March 2017

The  Directors  present  their  report  on  the  affairs  of  the  Group,  together  with  the  financial  statements  and  independent 
auditor’s report, for the year ended 31 March 2017.

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS

The results for the year are set out in the Group income statement. The Directors are recommending the payment of a final 
dividend of 5p per ordinary share (2016: 5.0p) to be paid on 23 November 2017 to ordinary shareholders on the register on 
27 October 2017.

GOING CONCERN

The Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and financial 
position are given in the Strategic report. In addition, the notes to the Group financial statements include details on the 
Company’s borrowing facilities and the Company’s objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial 
risk management objectives; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk.

The Group is funded through cash at bank and it has access to a £4.0 million overdraft facility secured until May 2018, and a 
revolving credit facility of £7.5 million available until October 2018. The Group has sufficient financial resources together with 
a customer base split across different geographic areas and between directly operated stores, partner stores and wholesale 
accounts. The Group’s forecasts and projections, taking account of reasonably possible changes in trading performance, 
show  that  the  Group  should  be  able  to  operate  within  the  level  of  its  current  facilities.  As  a  consequence,  the  Directors 
believe that the Group is well placed to manage its business risks successfully despite the uncertain economic outlook.

The Directors have, at the time of approving the financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the Company and 
the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to 
adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the Annual Report and financial statements.

DIRECTORS AND THEIR INTERESTS

The Directors who served during the year and subsequently are detailed below.

Executive Directors
Thierry  Andretta,  60,  was  appointed  as  Chief  Executive  on  7  April  2015,  following  his  appointment  to  the  Board  as  an 
independent Non-Executive Director on 9 June 2014. He has previously held a number of senior roles at brands including 
Lanvin,  Moschino,  the  Gucci  Group,  LVMH  Fashion  Group  and  Céline  and  was  Chief  Executive  of  Buccellati.  He  is  also 
a non-executive director of SCI TMLS and was a non-executive director of Acne Studios Holding AB (until March 2017). 
Although not a director, he is a senior advisor to the Board of Nirav Modi Firestar Diamond Limited.

Neil Ritchie FCA, 46, is the Chief Financial Officer, having joined Mulberry on 16 May 2016. He is a fellow of the Institute 
of Chartered Accountants having trained professionally with PriceWaterhouseCoopers. He spent 15 years with Dyson in 
various financial and commercial roles across UK, Europe, North America and Asia, most recently as Global Commercial 
Finance Director. He was appointed as a Director on 16 May 2016.

Non-Executive Directors
Godfrey Davis FCA, 68, is Chairman of the Board, having been appointed in June 2012.  Prior to this he had performed 
the role of Chief Executive from 2002 until June 2012.  He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England 
and  Wales  and  joined  Mulberry  as  Group  Finance  Director  in  1987  after  15  years  at  Arthur  Andersen,  where  he  was  an 
international  partner.    He  is  a  director  of  Pittards  plc,  Princedale  Development  Limited,  King’s  Schools  Taunton  Limited 
and Hestercombe Gardens Limited, KST International Limited (appointed 26 August 2015) and a trustee of Hestercombe 
Gardens Trust.

Andrew  Christopher  Roberts  FCCA,  53, is Chairman of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee (appointed on 
7 May 2013).  He was appointed to the Board on 6 June 2002.  He is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified 
Accountants.  He is Managing Director of Como Holdings (UK) Ltd which has retail, hotel and real estate operations in the 
UK and was formerly Finance Director of an AIM listed financial services group.  Como Holdings (UK) Ltd is a company 
ultimately owned by Mr Ong Beng Seng and Mrs Christina Ong.

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Directors’ report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

Steven  Grapstein  CPA,  59, was appointed as a Director on 17 November 2003 and was appointed as Chairman of the 
Audit Committee on 7 May 2013.  He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Como Holdings USA Inc., an international 
investment group with extensive interests in the retail and hotel industries. He also serves on the Board of Directors of 
Urban Edge, a US publicly listed company on the NY Stock Exchange and is the Chairman of the Governance Committee. 
He served as a member of the Board of Directors and as Chairman of the Board (2010-2015) of Tesoro Corporation, a US 
publicly held Fortune 100 company engaged in the oil and gas industry.  He also served as Chief Executive Officer (1994-
2005) and Chairman of Presidio International dba A/X Armani Exchange, a fashion retail company until its sale on 15 May 
2014. Como Holdings USA Inc. is ultimately owned by Mr Ong Beng Seng and Mrs Christina Ong.

Melissa  Ong,  43,  was  appointed  on  7  September  2010.  She  is  currently  the  VP  of  Business  Development  and  Director 
of  Activities  of  Como  Hotels  and  Resorts,  a  company  ultimately  owned  by  Mr  Ong  Beng  Seng  and  Mrs  Christina  Ong, 
overseeing  the  experiential  element  of  hospitality  in  each  destination.  She  is  a  director/manager  of  Mojo  Pte  Ltd,  an 
investment holding company managing investments in technology, food and beverage, hospitality, real estate and public 
securities and funds. She also manages the endowment portfolio of COMO Foundation where she serves as a director. She 
is also a director of Knowhere Pte Ltd, and a director of each of Will Focus Ltd, Club 21 Pte Ltd and Como Holdings Pte Ltd 
companies which are ultimately owned by Mr Ong Beng Seng and Mrs Christina Ong.

Christophe Cornu, 53, was appointed on 7 May 2013, and is an independent director.  He is CEO of Nestlé Suisse SA, 
having previously been Chief Commercial Officer for Nestlé Nespresso SA. 

Julie Gilhart, 59, was appointed on 1 December 2014 and is an independent director. She is a creative business consultant 
whose clients include Amazon.com, LVMH and Kering . Previously Ms Gilhart was the Senior Vice President, Fashion Director 
at Barneys New York for 18 years where she was involved in all aspects of fashion brand building, marketing and business 
direction. She serves as a member on the Boards of Parsons-New School, Outerknown LLC and Tomorrow London Ltd.

Directors’ beneficial interests in the shares of the Company at the year end were as follows:

Godfrey Davis

Steven Grapstein

Melissa Ong

5p ordinary 
shares 
2017

5p ordinary 
shares
2016

 718,517

 10,000

 10,000

718,517

 10,000

 10,000

The  other  Directors  had  no  interests  in  the  shares  of  the  Company.  Details  of  Directors’  share  options,  share  awards 
(including  jointly  owned  shares  issued  under  the  Co-ownership  Equity  Incentive  Plan)  and  other  interests  in  shares  are 
disclosed in the Directors’ remuneration report.

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDINGS

At  31  March  2017  the  Company  had  been  notified  of  the  following  interests  of  3%  or  more  of  the  share  capital  of  the 
Company, other than those of the Directors above:

•  Challice Limited – 56.21%

•  Banque Havilland SA – 24.32%

•  Tybourne Capital Management (HK) Limited – 10.61%*

At 13 June 2017 Tybourne Capital Management (HK) Limited shareholding was 10.61%, and there were no changes in the 
interests held by Challice Limited and Banque Havilland SA.

* Formal notification was made when the shareholding of Tybourne Capital Management (HK) Limited exceeded 10.0%.

MOVEMENT IN THE COMPANY’S OWN SHAREHOLDING

Please refer to note 26.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Please refer to note 33.

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Year ended 31 March 2017

DIRECTORS’ INSURANCE AND INDEMNITIES

The Group maintains Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance which gives appropriate cover for any legal action brought 
against its Directors. In accordance with Section 236 of the Companies Act 2006, qualifying third party indemnity provisions 
are in place for the Directors in respect of liabilities incurred as a result of their office, to the extent permitted by law. Both the 
insurance and indemnities applied throughout the financial year ended 31 March 2016 and through to the date of this report.

EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT

The Group is committed to an active equal opportunities policy. It is the Group’s policy to promote an environment free 
from  discrimination,  harassment  and  victimisation,  where  everyone  will  receive  equal  treatment  regardless  of  gender, 
colour,  ethnic  or  national  origin,  disability,  age,  marital  status,  sexual  orientation  or  religion.  Employment  practices  are 
applied which are fair, equitable and consistent with the skills and abilities of our employees and the needs of the business. 

The  Group  places  considerable  value  on  the  involvement  of  its  employees  and  has  continued  its  previous  practice  of 
keeping them informed on matters affecting them as employees and on the various factors affecting the performance of 
the Group, which is achieved through formal and informal meetings. Employee representatives are consulted regularly on 
a wide range of matters affecting their current and future interests. Employee Committees have been established covering 
each of our main sites.

DISABLED PERSONS

Applications for employment by disabled persons are always fully considered, bearing in mind the aptitudes of the applicant 
concerned.  In  the  event  of  members  of  staff  becoming  disabled,  every  effort  is  made  to  ensure  that  their  employment 
with the Group continues and that appropriate training is arranged. It is the policy of the Group that the training, career 
development and promotion of disabled persons should, as far as possible, be identical with that of other employees.

CHARITABLE AND POLITICAL DONATIONS

The Group made charitable donations of £64,000 (2016: £125,000) during the year. The Group made no political donations 
in either year.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Group’s risk management policies can be found in note 31.

AUDITOR

In the case of each of the persons who are Directors of the Company at the date when this report was approved:

•  so far as each of the Directors is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditor is 

unaware; and

•  each of the Directors has taken all the steps that he/she ought to have taken as a Director to make himself/herself 
aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s auditor is aware of that information.

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of Section 418 of the Companies 
Act 2006.

Deloitte LLP have expressed their willingness to continue as auditor and a resolution to re-appoint them will be proposed 
at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

By order of the Board.

Neil Ritchie
Director
13 June 2017

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Mulberr y Group plc

Directors’ responsibilities statement

Year ended 31 March 2017

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable 
law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors are 
required to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) 
as adopted by the European Union and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation and have elected to prepare the Parent Company 
financial  statements  in  accordance  with  United  Kingdom  Generally  Accepted  Accounting  Practice  (United  Kingdom 
Accounting Standards and applicable law), including FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’. Under company law the 
Directors must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of 
the Company and of the profit or loss of the Company for that period. 

In preparing the Parent Company financial statements, the Directors are required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
•  make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
•  state  whether  applicable  UK  Accounting  Standards  have  been  followed,  subject  to  any  material  departures 

disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

•  prepare  the  financial  statements  on  the  going  concern  basis  unless  it  is  inappropriate  to  presume  that  the 

Company will continue in business.

In preparing the Group financial statements, International Accounting Standard 1 requires that Directors:

•  properly select and apply accounting policies;
•  present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and 

understandable information; 

•  provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to enable 
users to understand the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the entity’s financial 
position and financial performance; and

•  make an assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  keeping  adequate  accounting  records  that  are  sufficient  to  show  and  explain  the 
Company’s  transactions  and  disclose  with  reasonable  accuracy  at  any  time  the  financial  position  of  the  Company  and 
enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for 
safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud 
and other irregularities.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the 
Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements 
may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Responsibility statement 
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

•  the  financial  statements,  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  relevant  financial  reporting  framework,  give  a  true 
and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the undertakings 
included in the consolidation taken as a whole;

•  the Strategic report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position 
of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description 
of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face; and

•  the Annual Report and financial statements, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and provide 
the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s performance, business model and strategy.

This responsibility statement was approved by the Board of Directors on 13 June 2017 and is signed on its behalf by:

Thierry Andretta 
Chief Executive 

Neil Ritchie
Chief Financial Officer

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Independent auditor’s report

To the members of Mulberry Group plc

We have audited the financial statements of Mulberry Group plc for the year ended 31 March 2017 which comprise the 
Group  Income  Statement,  the  Group  Statement  of  Comprehensive  Income,  the  Group  and  Parent  Company  Balance 
Sheets,  the  Group  Statement  of  Cashflows,  the  Group  and  Parent  Company  Statement  of  Changes  in  Equity,  and  the 
related notes 1 to 47. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Group financial 
statements is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. 
The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Parent Company financial statements 
is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), 
including FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”.

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies 
Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we are 
required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not 
accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s members as a body, for our audit 
work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of Directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the Directors’ responsibilities statement, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the 
financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view.  Our responsibility is to audit and express 
an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and 
Ireland).  Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
An  audit  involves  obtaining  evidence  about  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  financial  statements  sufficient  to  give 
reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error.  
This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Group’s and the Parent Company’s 
circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting 
estimates  made  by  the  Directors;  and  the  overall  presentation  of  the  financial  statements.    In  addition,  we  read  all  the 
financial and non-financial information in the Annual Report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial 
statements  and  to  identify  any  information  that  is  apparently  materially  incorrect  based  on,  or  materially  inconsistent 
with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the audit.  If we become aware of any apparent material 
misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report.

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion:

•  the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs 

as at 31 March 2017 and of the Group’s profit and the Parent Company’s loss for the year then ended;

•  the  Group  financial  statements  have  been  properly  prepared  in  accordance  with  IFRSs  as  adopted  by  the 

European Union;

•  the  Parent  Company  financial  statements  have  been  properly  prepared  in  accordance  with  United  Kingdom 

Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

•  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

•  the information given in the Strategic report and the Directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial 

statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

•  the Strategic report and the Directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

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Mulberr y Group plc

Independent auditor’s report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, 
we have not identified any material misstatements in the Strategic report and the Directors’ report.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you 
if, in our opinion:

•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have 

not been received from branches not visited by us; or

•  the Parent Company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

•  certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Delyth Jones (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP
Statutory Auditor
Bristol, United Kingdom
13 June 2017

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Mulberr y Group plc

 
Group income statement

Year ended 31 March 2017

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Operating expenses

Other operating income

Operating profit

Share of results of associates

Finance income

Finance expense

Profit before tax

Tax 

Profit for the year

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent

Non-controlling interests

Profit for the year

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

All activities arise from continuing operations.

Reconciliation to adjusted profit before tax:

Profit before tax

Impairment charge related to retail property, plant and equipment

Profit on disposal of retail stores

Adjusted Profit before tax – non-GAAP measure

Adjusted basic earnings per share

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

Note

 5

7

5

19

11

12

13

15

15

7

5

15

15

2017
 £’000

168,121

(64,535)

103,586

(96,961)

 482

 7,107

 148

 295

 (17)

 7,533

 (2,543)

2016
£’000

155,867

(59,300)

96,567

(92,199)

1,742

6,110

169

4

(66)

6,217

(3,532)

 4,990

2,685

 5,338

 (348)

 4,990

 8.4p

 8.4p

2017
 £’000

 7,533

 1,087

 -

2,685

-

2,685

4.5p

4.5p

2016
£’000

6,217

1,615

(1,078)

 8,620

6,754

 10.2p

 10.2p

5.4p

5.4p

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Mulberr y Group plc

Group statement of comprehensive income

Year ended 31 March 2017

Profit for the year

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

  Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

  Losses on a hedge of a net investment taken to equity

 Income tax relating to items that may be reclassified subsequently to   
profit or loss

Total comprehensive income for the year

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent

Non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive income for the year

2017 
£’000

2016
£’000

 4,990

2,685

 1,803

 (5)

1,330

 -

 (361)

(276)

 6,427

3,739

 6,775

 (348)

 6,427

3,739

-

3,739

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Mulberr y Group plc

 
Group balance sheet

At 31 March 2017

Non-current assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Interests in associates

Deferred tax asset

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Current tax liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Share capital

Share premium account

Own share reserve

Capital redemption reserve

Cashflow hedge reserve

Foreign exchange reserve

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to holders of the parent 

Non-controlling interests

Note

2017
£’000

2016
£’000

16

17

19

23

20

21

21

24

25

26

26

31

10,833

24,136

 198

 1,500

11,088

28,143

206

1,467

36,667

40,904

42,822

14,669

21,093

44,378

10,767

14,014

78,584

69,159

115,251

110,063

(28,350)

 (1,257)

(27,805)

(2,342)

(29,607)

(30,147)

85,644

79,916

 3,000

11,961

(1,461)

 154

 (5)

 1,063

69,957

84,669

 975

3,000

11,961

(1,474)

154

-

(379)

66,654

79,916

-

Total equity

85,644

79,916

The financial statements of Mulberry Group plc (company number 01180514) were approved by the Board of Directors and 
authorised for issue on 13 June 2017.

They were signed on its behalf by:

Thierry Andretta 
Director 

Neil Ritchie
Director

23

Mulberr y Group plc

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Group statement of changes in equity

Year ended 31 March 2017

Share 

Own 

Capital 

Cashflow 

Foreign 

Non-

Share

premium 

share 

redemption 

Special 

hedge 

exchange 

Retained 

controlling 

Total 

capital 

account

reserve

reserve 

reserve*

reserve

reserve

earnings

£’000

£’000

 £’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

Total

£’000

interest

£’000

equity

£’000

As at 1 April 2015

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income 

for the year

Total comprehensive income 

for the year

Charge for employee share-

based payments

Exercise of share options

Own shares

Dividends paid

Redemption of reserve

3,000

11,961

(1,601)

154

1,467

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

127

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1,467)

Balance at 31 March 2016

3,000

11,961

(1,474)

154

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income 

for the year

Total comprehensive income 

for the year

Charge for employee share-

based payments

Exercise of share options

Own shares

Adjustment arising from 

movement in non-controlling 

interest

Dividends paid

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 13

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Balance at 31 March 2017

3,000

11,961

(1,461)

154

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(5)

(5)

-

-

-

-

-

(1,433)

65,141

78,689

-

2,685

 2,685

1,054

-

 1,054

1,054

2,685

 3,739

-

-

-

-

-

 478

 478

(149)

-

 (149)

 127 

(2,968)

(2,968)

1,467

 -

(379)

66,654

79,916

-

4,990

4,990

1,442

-

1,437

1,442

4,990

6,427

1,086

1,086

 (153)

-

(153)

 13

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

78,689

2,685

1,054

3,739

478

(149)

127

(2,968)

-

79,916

4,990

1,437

6,427

1,086

(153)

 13

 348

 348

 975

1,323

(2,968)

(2,968)

 -

(2,968)

(5)

1,063

69,957

84,669

 975

85,644

* The special reserve was created as part of a capital restructuring of the Group in 2004. It was released to retained earnings during 2016.

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Mulberr y Group plc

Group cash flow statement

Year ended 31 March 2017

Operating profit for the year

Adjustments for:

Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment 

Amortisation of intangible assets

Loss/(profit) on sale of property, plant and equipment

Share-based payments charge

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital

Decrease/(increase) in inventories

(Increase)/decrease in receivables

Increase/(decrease) in payables

Cash generated from operations

Income taxes paid

Interest paid

 2017
 £’000

2016
£’000

7,107

6,110

8,763

1,852

 325

1,086

19,133

 2,344

(2,326)

 168 

19,319

(4,021)

 (17)

8,442

1,949

(1,316)

478

15,663

(4,485)

2,574

(1,041)

12,711

(4,145)

(66)

Net cash inflow from operating activities

15,281

8,500

Investing activities:

Interest received

Dividend received from associate

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

Acquisition of intangible fixed assets

Net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities:

Dividends paid

Settlement of share awards

Net cash used in financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 232

 195

(4,409)

 40

 (962)

4

167

(5,050)

4,460

(855)

(4,904)

(1,274)

(2,968)

 (153)

(2,968)

(24)

(3,121)

(2,992)

 7,256

4,234

14,014

(177)

9,900

(120)

21,093

14,014

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash and short-term bank deposits with an original maturity of three months or less. 
The carrying amount of these assets at the end of the reporting period as shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows 
can be reconciled to the related items in the consolidated balance sheet position as shown above.

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Mulberr y Group plc

 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements 

Year ended 31 March 2017

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Mulberry Group plc is a company incorporated in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is given on page 
10. The nature of the Group’s operations and its principal activities are set out in note 6 and in the Strategic report.

These  financial  statements  are  presented  in  pounds  Sterling  because  that  is  the  currency  of  the  primary  economic 
environment in which the Group operates. Foreign operations are included in accordance with the policies set out in note 3.

2. ADOPTION OF NEW AND REVISED STANDARDS

During the current year the following new and revised Standards and Interpretations have been adopted but have not had 
an impact on the Group:

•  Amendments to IAS 16: Property, Plant and Equipment and IAS 38: Intangible assets.

At the date of approval of these financial statements, the following Standards and Interpretations which have not been 
applied in these financial statements were in issue but not yet effective:

•  IFRS 9: Financial Instruments;

•  IFRS 15: Revenue from Contracts with Customers;

•  IFRS 16: Leases;

•  IFRS 2 (amendments);

•  IAS 7 (amendments); and

•  IAS 12 (amendments).

IFRS 16 sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both lessees 
and  lessors.  It  replaces  IAS  17  Leases  and  IFRIC  4  Determining  whether  an  arrangement  contains  a  lease.  The  most 
significant changes are in relation to lessee accounting. Under the new Standard, the concept of assessing a lease contract 
as either operating or financing is replaced by a single lessee accounting model. Under this new model, substantially all 
lease contracts will result in a lessee acquiring a right-to-use asset and obtaining financing. The lessee will be required to 
recognise a corresponding asset and liability. The asset will be depreciated over the term of the lease and the interest on 
the financing liability will be charged over the same period. The Standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or 
after 1 January 2019, however it is not currently endorsed by the European Union. Adopting this new Standard will result 
in a fundamental change to the Group’s balance sheet, with right-to-use assets and accompanying financing liabilities for 
the Group’s retail stores, warehouses and offices being recognised for the first time. The income statement will also be 
impacted, with rent expense relating to operating leases being replaced by a depreciation charge arising from the right-
to-use assets and interest charges arising from lease financing. The full impact of these changes will be quantified closer 
to the date of adoption. 

Except for IFRS 16, the Directors do not expect that the adoption of the Standards listed above will have a material impact 
on the financial statements of the Group in future periods. Beyond the information above, it is not practicable to provide a 
reasonable estimate of the effect of these Standards until a detailed review has been completed.

Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs adopted by the European Union.

For  the  year  ended  31  March  2017,  the  financial  year  runs  for  the  52  weeks  to  25  March  2017  (2016:  52  weeks  ended  
26 March 2016).

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost basis except for financial instruments that are measured 
at fair values at the end of each reporting period as explained in the accounting policies below. The principal accounting 
policies adopted are set out below.

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Mulberr y Group plc

Year ended 31 March 2017

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Going concern
The Directors have, at the time of approving the financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the Company and 
the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue 
to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. Further detail is contained in the 
Directors’ report.

Basis of consolidation
The  Group  financial  statements  incorporate  the  financial  statements  of  the  Company  and  entities  controlled  by  the 
Company (its subsidiaries) made up to 31 March each year. Control is achieved when the Company:

•  has the power over the investee;

•  is exposed, or has rights, to variable return from its involvement with the investee; and

•  has the ability to use its power to affect its returns.

The Company reassesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes 
to one or more of the three elements of control listed above.

When  the  Company  has  less  than  a  majority  of  the  voting  rights  of  an  investee,  it  considers  that  it  has  power  over  the 
investee when the voting rights are sufficient to give it the practical ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee 
unilaterally. The Company considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether or not the Company’s voting 
rights in an investee are sufficient to give it power including:

•  the size of the Company’s holding of voting rights relative to the size and dispersion of holdings of the other vote 

holders;

•  potential voting rights held by the Company, other vote holders or other parties;

•  rights arising from other contractual arrangements; and

•  any additional facts and circumstances that indicate that the Company has, or does not have, the current ability 
to direct the relevant activities at the time that decisions need to be made, including voting patterns at previous 
shareholder meetings.

Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company 
loses control of the subsidiary. Specifically, the results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are included 
in the consolidated income statement from the date the Company gains control until the date when the Company ceases 
to control the subsidiary.

Profit or loss and each component of other comprehensive income are attributed to the owners of the Company and to the 
non-controlling interests. Total comprehensive income of the subsidiaries is attributed to the owners of the Company and 
to the non-controlling interests even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.

Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used 
into line with those used by the Group.

All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation.

Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries are identified separately from the Group’s equity therein. Those interests of non-
controlling shareholders that are present ownership interests entitling their holders to a proportionate share of net assets 
upon  liquidation  may  initially  be  measured  at  fair  value  or  at  the  non-controlling  interests’  proportionate  share  of  the 
fair value of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets. The choice of measurement is made on an acquisition-by-acquisition 
basis. Other non-controlling interests are initially measured at fair value. Subsequent to acquisition, the carrying amount of 
non-controlling interests is the amount of those interests at initial recognition plus the non-controlling interests’ share of 
subsequent changes in equity. Total comprehensive income is attributed to non-controlling interests even if this results in 
the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance. 

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Mulberr y Group plc

Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Business combinations
Acquisitions of subsidiaries and businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method. The consideration transferred 
in a business combination is measured at fair value, which is calculated as the sum of the acquisition-date fair value of assets 
transferred by the Group, liabilities incurred by the Group to the former owners of the acquiree and the equity interest 
issued by the Group. Acquisition-related costs are recognised in profit or loss as incurred.

At the acquisition date, the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are recognised at their fair value at the 
acquisition date.

Goodwill
Goodwill written off to reserves under UK GAAP prior to 1998 has not been reinstated and is not included in determining 
any subsequent profit or loss on disposal.

Intangible assets
Intangible  assets  that  are  acquired  by  the  Group  are  stated  at  cost  less  accumulated  amortisation  and  any  recognised 
impairment loss. Amortisation is charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 
the asset. Assets in the course of construction are carried at cost less any recognised impairment loss.

Lease costs comprise the lease premium and related costs associated with the Group’s Paris store. The costs relating to 
the store at 275 Rue Saint-Honoré are not being amortised but are subject to annual impairment review. The intangible is 
considered to have an indefinite economic life because it is associated with the location of the store. The value is supported 
by an annual external valuation.

Included in software is computer software and website development costs which are amortised over the estimated useful 
life of the asset (typically four to five years). 

Computer software which is considered integral to an item of hardware is included as property, plant and equipment. 

Property, plant and equipment
Items of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost or deemed cost less accumulated depreciation and any recognised 
impairment loss. Assets in the course of construction are carried at cost less any recognised impairment loss. Cost includes 
professional fees incurred directly in relation to construction of assets.

Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful 
lives, using the straight-line method, on the following bases:

Freehold buildings 
Short leasehold land and buildings 
Fixtures, fittings and equipment 
Plant and equipment 
Motor vehicles 

4% to 5%
Over the term of the lease
10% to 50%
14% to 25%
25%

Freehold land and assets under the course of construction are not depreciated. Depreciation on assets commences when 
the assets are ready for intended use.

The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an asset is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds 
and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in income.

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Mulberr y Group plc

Year ended 31 March 2017

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets
The  Group  reviews  the  carrying  amounts  of  its  tangible  and  intangible  assets  annually  (or  more  frequently  if  there  are 
indications that assets might be impaired), to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered 
an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine 
the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from other 
assets, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. An intangible 
asset with an indefinite useful life is tested for impairment annually and whenever there is an indication that the asset may 
be impaired.

The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated 
future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax or post-tax discount rate (as applicable based on 
the tax status of the entity) that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the 
asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying 
amount of the asset (cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised as an 
expense immediately. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (cash-generating 
unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not 
exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (cash-
generating unit) in prior years. When an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-
generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount 
does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the 
asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years.

Investments in associates
An  associate  is  an  entity  over  which  the  Group  is  in  a  position  to  exercise  significant  influence,  but  not  control  or  joint 
control, through the participation in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee. Significant influence is 
the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but is not control or joint control 
over these policies. The results and assets and liabilities of associates are incorporated in these financial statements using 
the equity method of accounting. Investments in associates are carried in the balance sheet at cost as adjusted by post-
acquisition changes in the Group’s share of the net assets of the associate, less any impairment in the value of individual 
investments. Losses of the associates in excess of the Group’s interest in those associates are recognised only to the extent 
that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.

Any  excess  of  the  cost  of  acquisition  over  the  Group’s  share  of  the  net  fair  values  of  the  identifiable  net  assets  of  the 
associate at the date of acquisition is recognised as goodwill. Any deficiency of the cost of acquisition below the Group’s 
share of the fair values of the identifiable net assets of the associate at the date of acquisition (i.e. discount on acquisition) 
is credited in profit or loss in the period of acquisition.

Where a Group entity transacts with an associate of the Group, profits and losses are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s 
interest in the relevant associate.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost comprises materials, direct labour costs and those 
overheads incurred in bringing the inventories to their current location and condition. Cost is calculated using the standard 
cost method. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to 
be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

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Mulberr y Group plc

Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the 
income  statement  because  it  excludes  items  of  income  or  expense  that  are  taxable  or  deductible  in  other  years  and  it 
further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates 
that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred  tax  is  the  tax  expected  to  be  payable  or  recoverable  on  differences  between  the  carrying  amounts  of  assets 
and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and 
is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable 
temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be 
available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the 
temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business 
combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, 
and interests in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is 
probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no 
longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.

Deferred  tax  is  calculated  at  the  tax  rates  that  are  expected  to  apply  in  the  period  when  the  liability  is  settled  or  the 
asset is realised based on tax laws and rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. 
Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited in other 
comprehensive income in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in other comprehensive income.

The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner 
in which the Group expects at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and 
liabilities. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against 
current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to 
settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

Leases
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of 
ownership to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to income on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. 
Contingent  lease  rentals  arising  under  operating  leases  are  recognised  as  an  expense  in  the  period  in  which  they  are 
incurred. Benefits received and receivable as an incentive to enter into an operating lease are also spread on a straight-line 
basis over the lease term.

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Mulberr y Group plc

Year ended 31 March 2017

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Provisions
A provision is recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, and 
where it is probable that an outflow will be required to settle the obligation. Provisions are measured at the Directors’ best 
estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the balance sheet date and are discounted to present value 
where the effect is material.

When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, 
a receivable is recognised as an asset if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received and the amount of the 
receivable can be measured reliably.

Present obligations arising under onerous contracts are recognised and measured as provisions. An onerous contract is 
considered to exist where the Group has a contract under which the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under 
the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it.

Share-based payments
The Group issues equity-settled share-based payments to certain employees and a non-employee. Equity-settled share-
based payments are measured at fair value (excluding the effect of non market-based vesting conditions) at the date of 
grant. The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is expensed on a straight-
line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of the proportion of shares that will eventually vest and 
adjusted for the effect of non market-based vesting conditions.

The impact of the revision of the original estimates, if any, is recognised in profit or loss such that the cumulative expense 
reflects the revised estimate, with a corresponding adjustment to equity reserves.

Fair value is measured by use of the Black-Scholes model. The expected life used in the model has been adjusted, based 
on  management’s  best  estimate,  for  the  effects  of  non-transferability,  performance  conditions,  exercise  restrictions  and 
behavioural considerations.

Retirement benefit costs
The Group operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Payments to employees’ personal pension plans are charged 
as an expense as they fall due. Differences between contributions payable in the year and contributions actually paid are 
shown as accruals in the balance sheet.

Revenue recognition
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods provided 
in the normal course of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales-related taxes and intra-group transactions. Sales of 
goods are recognised at the point of sale, or for the wholesale and online businesses, when goods are despatched. Sales 
of gift vouchers are recognised on presentation of the voucher for payment of goods.

Interest  income  is  accrued  on  a  time  basis  by  reference  to  the  principal  outstanding  and  at  the  effective  interest  rate 
applicable. This is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial 
asset to that asset’s net carrying amount.

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Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Royalty  income  is  recognised  on  an  accruals  basis  in  accordance  with  the  substance  of  the  relevant  agreement  and  is 
disclosed as other operating income.

Operating profit
Operating profit is stated before the share of results of associates, finance income and finance expense.

Foreign currencies
The  individual  financial  statements  of  each  Group  company  are  presented  in  the  currency  of  the  primary  economic 
environment in which it operates (its functional currency). For the purpose of the Group financial statements, the results 
and financial position of each Group company are expressed in Pounds Sterling, which is the functional currency of the 
Company and the presentation currency for the Group financial statements.

In preparing the financial statements of the individual companies, transactions in currencies other than the entity’s functional 
currency (foreign currencies) are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. 

At each balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at 
the rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Non-monetary items carried at fair value that are denominated in foreign 
currencies are translated at the rates prevailing at the date when the fair value was determined. Non-monetary items that 
are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated.

Exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items, and on the retranslation of monetary items, are included 
in profit or loss for the period. Exchange differences arising on the retranslation of non-monetary items carried at fair value 
are included in profit or loss for the period except for differences arising on the retranslation of non-monetary items in 
respect of which gains and losses are recognised directly in equity. For such non-monetary items, any exchange component 
of that gain or loss is also recognised directly in equity.

For the purposes of presenting the Group financial statements, the assets and liabilities of the Group’s foreign operations 
are translated at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at the 
average exchange rates for the period, unless exchange rates fluctuate significantly during that period, in which case the 
exchange rates at the date of the transactions are used. Exchange differences arising, if any, are classified as equity and 
transferred to the Group’s foreign exchange reserve. Such translation differences are recognised as income or as expenses 
in the period in which the operation is disposed of.

Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group’s balance sheet when the Group becomes a party to the 
contractual provisions of the instrument.

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
Derivative financial instruments (“derivatives”) are used to manage risks arising from changes in foreign currency exchange 
rates relating to the purchase of overseas sourced raw materials and finished products. The Group does not enter into 
derivatives for speculative purposes. Foreign currency derivatives are stated at their fair value, being the estimated amount 
that the Group would receive or pay to terminate them at the balance sheet date based on prevailing foreign currency rates.

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Year ended 31 March 2017

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Foreign currency derivatives
Changes  in  the  fair  value  of  foreign  currency  derivatives  which  are  designated  and  effective  as  hedges  of  future  cash 
flows are recognised in equity in the cashflow hedge reserve, and subsequently transferred to the carrying amount of the 
hedged item or the income statement. Realised gains or losses on cash flow hedges are therefore recognised in the income 
statement in the same period as the hedged item. Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires 
or is sold, terminated or exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. At that time, any cumulative gain or loss 
on the hedging instrument previously recognised in equity is retained in equity until the hedged transaction occurs. If the 
hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss recognised in equity is then transferred 
to the income statement. 

Derivatives  are  initially  recognised  at  fair  value  at  the  date  a  derivative  contract  is  entered  into  and  are  subsequently 
remeasured to their fair value at each balance sheet date. The resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss immediately 
unless the derivative is designated and effective as a hedging instrument, in which event the timing of the recognition in 
profit  or  loss  depends  on  the  nature  of  the  hedge  relationship.  The  Group  designated  derivatives  as  hedges  of  highly 
probable forecast transactions. 

Changes  in  the  fair  value  of  foreign  currency  derivatives  which  are  ineffective  or  do  not  meet  the  criteria  for  hedge 
accounting in IAS 39 are recognised in the income statement.

Trade receivables
Trade receivables do not carry any interest and are stated at their amortised cost as reduced by appropriate allowances for 
estimated irrecoverable amounts.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits, and other short term highly liquid investments 
that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

Derecognition of financial assets
The Group derecognises financial assets when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, or when it 
transfers the financial asset and substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset to another entity.

Financial liabilities and equity
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered 
into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Group after deducting all 
of its liabilities.

Equity instruments issued by the Group are recognised at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

Bank borrowings
Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are recorded at the fair value of the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. 
Finance charges, including premiums payable on settlement or redemption and direct issue costs, are accounted for on an 
accruals basis against profit or loss using the effective interest rate method and are added to the carrying amount of the 
instrument to the extent that they are not settled in the period in which they arise.

Trade payables
Trade payables are not interest-bearing and are stated at their amortised cost.

Derecognition of financial liabilities
The Group derecognises financial liabilities when, and only when, the Group’s obligations are discharged, cancelled or they 
expire.

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Mulberr y Group plc

Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

4. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

In  the  application  of  the  Group’s  accounting  policies,  the  Directors  are  required  to  make  judgements,  estimates  and 
assumptions  about  the  carrying  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  that  are  not  readily  apparent  from  other  sources.  The 
estimates  and  associated  assumptions  are  based  on  historical  experience  and  other  factors  that  are  considered  to  be 
relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The  estimates  and  underlying  assumptions  are  reviewed  on  an  ongoing  basis.  Revisions  to  accounting  estimates  are 
recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the 
revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Critical judgements in applying the Group’s accounting policies
The following are the critical judgements, apart from those involving estimations (which are dealt with separately below), 
that the Directors have made in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies and that have the most significant 
effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

Share-based payments – accounting as equity-settled 
The Group accounts for its share schemes as equity-settled but during the year some exercises were settled in cash and 
therefore  the  Directors  have  needed  to  consider  whether  these  should  now  be  accounted  for  as  cash-settled  options. 
Settling the equity-settled share options for a cash alternative was at the Directors’ discretion and was due to the very small 
number of exercises, the fact that the Group had sufficient cash at the time and this was administratively easier. In making 
their judgement to account for the share options as equity-settled share options the Directors are satisfied that the Group 
has no constructive obligation to settle in cash and as such the schemes can continue to be accounted for as equity-settled. 

Key sources of estimation uncertainty
The key assumptions concerning the future, and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the balance sheet date, that 
may have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next 
financial year, are discussed below.

Impairment of property, plant and equipment
Property,  plant  and  equipment  are  reviewed  annually  for  impairment  or  if  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate 
that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. When a review for impairment is conducted, the recoverable amount 
is determined based on value in use or net realisable value calculations and is prepared on the basis of management’s 
assumptions and estimates. These include assumptions on future growth rates and cost of capital. During the current year 
this has resulted in an impairment of retail assets of £1,087,000 (2016: £1,221,000). Please refer to note 17.

Recoverability of intangible assets
The  carrying  value  of  lease  premiums  and  related  costs  for  stores  are  reassessed  each  year  based  on  the  ongoing 
performance of the store and the realisable value of the lease. The Group acquired the rights to a lease at 275 Rue Saint-
Honoré in the prior year. Given the significant value, the Directors have sought an independent assessment of the realisable 
value at the year end and this supported that the asset was not impaired. This valuation is dependent on property prices in 
Paris and it is possible that these prices could change over the next 12 months.

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Mulberr y Group plc

Year ended 31 March 2017

5. TOTAL REVENUE

Revenue

Sale of goods

Other operating income

Royalty income

Other income

Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Finance income

Interest earned on cash balances

Gains on foreign exchange 

Total revenue

2017 
£’000

2016
£’000

168,121

155,867

 214

268

 -

 482

 14

 281

200

226

1,316

1,742

4

-

168,898

157,613

6. BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS

IFRS 8 requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports about components of the Group that 
are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker, defined as the Chief Executive, to allocate resources to the 
segments and to assess their performance.

(A) Business segments
For management purposes, the Group is currently organised into two operating divisions – the Retail business and the 
Design business. These divisions are the basis upon which the Group reports its primary segment information. The principal 
activities are as follows:

Retail – sale of Mulberry branded fashion accessories, clothing and footwear through a number of shops and department 
store concessions.

Design  –  brand  management,  marketing,  product  design,  manufacture,  sourcing  and  wholesale  distribution  for  the 
Mulberry brand.

Inter segment sales for both years are charged at market prices in line with third party wholesale customers, less applicable 
discounts to support business development.

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Mulberr y Group plc

Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

6. BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS (CONTINUED)

Segment information about these businesses is presented below.

Revenue
External sales(1)

Inter-segment sales

Total revenue

Segment result

Central administration costs

Share of results of associate

Net finance income

Profit before tax

Design 
2017
£’000

Retail
 2017
 £’000

Eliminations 
2017
 £’000

Group 
2017
£’000

39,440

56,138

128,681

 -

168,121

-

(56,138)

 -

95,578

128,681

(56,138)

168,121

(1,893)

 9,636

 -

 7,743

 (636)

 148

 278

 7,533

Included within the Retail segment depreciation and amortisation is £1,087,000 (2016: £1,221,000) relating to impairment.

(1)  Included within Retail external sales is £375,000 of wholesale sales which have been invoiced by a Retail company within the Group. 

Revenue

External sales

Inter-segment sales 

Total revenue

Segment result

Central administration costs

Share of results of associate

Net finance expense

Profit before tax

Design 
 2016
 £’000

Retail
 2016
 £’000

Eliminations 
2016
 £’000

Group 
2016
£’000

37,166

51,369

118,701

-

155,867

-

(51,369)

-

88,535

118,701

(51,369)

155,867

8,913

(386)

-

8,527

(2,417)

 169

 (62)

6,217

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Mulberr y Group plc

Year ended 31 March 2017

6. BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS (CONTINUED)

Design
 2017
 £’000

Retail 
2017
 £’000

Total 
 2017
 £’000

Design
 2016
 £’000

Retail 
2016
 £’000

Total 
2016
£’000

Other information

Additions to  
non-current assets

Depreciation  
and amortisation

 1,511

3,771

5,282

1,754

3,551

5,305

2,537

6,062

8,599

2,899

6,027

8,926

In addition, £88,000 (2016: £388,000) of capital expenditure and £1,526,000 (2016: £1,465,000) of depreciation was incurred 
by the Parent Company which is not included in the segments above.

Design
 2017
 £’000

Retail 
2017
 £’000

Total 
 2017
 £’000

Design
 2016
 £’000

Retail
 2016
 £’000

Total 
2016
£’000

Balance sheet

Segment assets

42,412

66,616

109,028

39,501

62,886

102,387

Interests in associates

Unallocated  
corporate assets

Consolidated assets

 198

 6,025

 115,251

 206

 7,470

110,063

Segment liabilities

16,862

10,665

 27,527

17,591

8,894

26,485

Unallocated  
corporate liabilities

Consolidated liabilities

 2,080

 29,607

3,662

30,147

For the purposes of monitoring the segment performance and allocating resources between segments the Group’s Chief 
Executive monitors the tangible, intangible and financial assets attributable to each segment. All assets are allocated to 
reportable  segments  with  the  exception  of  investments  in  associates,  other  financial  assets  (except  for  trade  and  other 
receivables) and tax assets. 

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Mulberr y Group plc

Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

6. BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS (CONTINUED)

(B) Geographical segments

UK

Rest of Europe

Asia

North America

Rest of world

Total revenue

Sales revenue by 
geographical market

Non-current assets
by geographical market

2017
£’000 

 121,863

 24,241

 11,654

 9,533

 830 

2016
£’000

112,467

 23,076

 9,593

 9,829

 902

2017
£’000

 23,173

 11,433

 -

 2,061

 -

2016
£’000

25,033

12,246

-

3,625

-

168,121

155,867

 36,667

40,904

(C) Product categories
Leather accessories account for over 90% of the Group’s revenues, within which bags represent over 70% of revenues. Other 
important product categories include small leather goods, shoes, soft accessories and women’s ready-to-wear. Net asset 
information is not allocated by product category.

7. OPERATING EXPENSES

The operating expenses for the year of £1,087,000 (2016: £1,615,000) include:

•  An impairment charge of £1,087,000 (2016: £1,221,000) relating to the retail assets of two international stores. 

These stores have not been trading in line with their expected potential (see note 17); and

•  An impairment charge of £nil (2016: £394,000) for the contribution towards the opening of a flagship store for a 

distribution partner in prior years and where the store has now been closed.

8. PROFIT FOR THE YEAR

2017
 £’000

 2016
£’000

 (192)

 7,676

 1,087

 -

 1,852

 1,384

 62,451

42,192

 -

 325

(448)

7,221

1,221

 394

1,949

 710

58,533

40,410

 121

(1,316)

Profit for the year has been arrived at after (crediting)/charging:

Net foreign exchange gain

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

Impairment of store contribution

Amortisation of intangible assets *

Write-downs of inventories recognised as an expense 

Cost of inventories recognised as an expense

Staff costs

Impairment of trade receivables

Loss/(profit) on disposal of property, plant and equipment

* Amortisation of intangible assets is included in operating expenses

3 8

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Year ended 31 March 2017

9. AUDITOR REMUNERATION

The analysis of auditors remuneration is as follows:

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company’s annual accounts 

The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries

Other taxation advisory services

Other services

Total non-audit fees

2017 
£’000

2016
£’000

 38

54

92

35

49

84

£’000

£’000

67

3

70

93

3

96

Tax services in both years include advice in relation to international structuring and Company share schemes. 

10. STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees (including Executive Directors and those on a part-time basis) was:

Production

Sales and distribution

Administration

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Other pension costs (see note 30)

Share-based payments (see note 29)

2017 
Number

2016
Number

688

552

227

699

533

220

1,467

1,452

£’000

£’000

36,180

 4,627

 853

 532

34,919

 4,180

 833

 478

42,192

40,410

Details of Directors’ remuneration and interests are provided in the audited section of the Directors’ remuneration report 
and should be regarded as part of these financial statements.

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Mulberr y Group plc

 
Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

11. FINANCE INCOME

Gains on foreign exchange forward contracts

Interest income on cash balances

12. FINANCE EXPENSE

Interest on bank overdraft

Interest on bank loans

Interest arising on adjustment for the hedged item in a designated
fair value hedge accounting relationship

2017 
£’000

2016
£’000

281

 14

295

-

4

4

2017 
£’000

2016
£’000

13

 -

 4

17

27

39

-

66

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Mulberr y Group plc

Year ended 31 March 2017

13. TAX

Current tax

UK corporation tax

Current tax on income

Adjustment to prior year corporation tax

Deferred tax (note 23)

UK deferred tax

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Adjustments in respect of prior years

The charge for the year can be reconciled to the profit per the Group income statement as follows:

Profit before tax

Tax at the UK corporation tax rate of 20% (2016: 20%) 

Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit

Overseas losses not utilised or carried forward – normal trading losses

Prior year overseas tax losses recognised in the year

Effect of change in corporation tax rate

Prior year adjustments

2017 
£’000

2016
£’000

2,417

 158

3,745

 (6)

 (68)

 36

(237)

 30

2,543

3,532

2017 
£’000

7,533

1,507

 949

 258

 (564)

 199

 194

2016
£’000

6,217

1,243

1,065

1,206

-

(6)

24

Tax expense for the year 

 2,543

3,532

Current tax of £361,000 has been recognised directly in equity in relation to foreign currency movements (2016: £276,000).

The Finance Act 2016 which was enacted on 15 September 2016 reduced the main rate of corporation tax from 20% to 19% 
with effect from 1 April 2017 and from 19% to 17% with effect from 1 April 2020. Therefore 19% and 17% has been used 
to calculate the position on deferred tax for assets and liabilities expected to unwind before 1 April 2017 and 1 April 2020 
respectively (2016: 20%). The Directors are not aware of any other factors that will materially affect the future tax charge.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for tax losses carried forward to the extent that the realisation of the related benefit 
through the future taxable profits is probable. In 2017 the Group recognised deferred tax assets of £361,000 (2016: £nil) 
in respect of losses that are expected be set off against future taxable income. Deferred tax assets can be recognised in 
2017, as profits are expected in overseas territories as a result of the revised transfer pricing policy targeting a 3% profit on 
operating margin. The Group did not recognise deferred tax assets of £406,000 (2016: £7,023,000) in respect of losses that 
can be set off against future taxable income. The time limit for the recovery of these potential assets ranges from 2 to 20 
years (2016: 3 to 20 years).

The adjustments in respect of prior years have arisen on finalisation of corporation tax computations for the year ended  
31 March 2016 when compared with the estimated tax provision previously calculated. 

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Mulberr y Group plc

Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

14. DIVIDENDS

Dividend for the year ended 31 March 2016 of 5p (2015: 5p) per share
paid on 24 November 2016

2017 
£’000

2016
£’000

2,968

2,968

Proposed dividend for the year ended 31 March 2017 of 5p per share (2016: 5p)

2,968

2,968

This proposed dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting and has not been included 
as a liability in these financial statements.

15. EARNINGS PER SHARE (‘EPS’)

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share 

Adjusted basic earnings per share

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

Earnings per share is calculated based on the following data:

Profit for the year for basic and diluted earnings per share

Adjustments to exclude:

  Impairment relating to retail assets

  Profit on disposal of retail stores

2017 
pence

2016
pence

 8.4

 8.4

10.2

10.2

4.5

4.5

5.4

5.4

£’000

£’000

 4,990

2,685

 1,087

 -

1,615

(1,078)

Adjusted profit for the year for basic and diluted earnings per share

 6,077

3,222

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of basic EPS

Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares : share options

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of diluted EPS

Million

Million

 59.4

 0.1

 59.5

59.3

0.5

59.8

The weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year excludes those held by the Mulberry Group Plc 
Employee Share Trust.

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16. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Cost

At 1 April 2015

Additions

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

At 1 April 2016

Additions

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

At 31 March 2017

Amortisation

At 1 April 2015

Charge for the year

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

At 1 April 2016

Charge for the year

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

At 31 March 2017

Carrying amount

At 31 March 2017

At 31 March 2016

At 31 March 2015

Year ended 31 March 2017

Software
£’000

10,196

 855

 -

 -

Lease 
costs
 £’000

8,401

 -

(1,676)

 641

Total
£’000

18,597

855

(1,676)

641

11,051

7,366

18,417

 962

 (117)

 -

 -

 -

 635

 962

 (117)

 635

11,896

8,001

19,897

5,386

1,943

 -

 -

7,329

1,852

 (117)

 -

9,064

2,832

3,722

4,810

 498

 6

(502)

 (2)

 - 

 -

 -

 -

 -

5,884

1,949

 (502)

 (2)

7,329

1,852

 (117)

 -

9,064

8,001

10,833

7,366

11,088

7,903

12,713

At  31  March  2017,  the  Group  had  entered  into  contractual  commitments  for  the  acquisition  of  software  of  £37,000  
(2016:  £20,000).  Included  within  software  is  £226,000  of  projects  still  in  development  and  where  depreciation  will  not 
commence until the projects are complete and the assets come into use (2016: £122,000).

As at 31 March 2017 the carrying amount of website development costs within software is £1,254,000 (2016: £1,466,000).

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Mulberr y Group plc

Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

17. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Freehold 
land and 
buildings
 £’000

Short 
leasehold 
land and 
buildings 
 £’000

Plant and 
equipment 
£’000

Fixtures, 
fittings and 
equipment 
 £’000

Motor 
vehicles 
 £’000

Total 
£’000

 11,788

 21,371

 8,363

 286

 -

 -

 426

 (2,023)

 393

 12,074

 20,167

 83

 (36)

 -

 637

 (231)

 1,150

 925

 (914)

 19

 8,393

 1,027

 (550)

 70

 25,133

 3,201

 (1,845)

 991

 27,480

 2,661

 (1,082)

 1,545

 52

 66,707

 -

 -

 -

 52

 -

 (2)

 -

 4,838

 (4,782)

 1,403

 68,166

 4,408

 (1,901)

 2,765

Cost

At 1 April 2015

Additions

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

At 1 April 2016

Additions

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

At 31 March 2017

 12,121

 21,723

 8,940

 30,604

 50

 73,438

Accumulated depreciation and 
impairment

At 1 April 2015

Charge for the year

Impairment charge

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

At 1 April 2016

Charge for the year

Impairment charge

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

 2,627

 426

 -

 -

 -

 3,053

 412

 -

 (2)

 -

 11,654

 2,022

 715

 (598)

 333

 14,126

 2,425

 199

 (24)

 885

 4,868

 1,224

 34

 (885)

21

 5,262

 1,055

 12

 (547)

 60

 14,223

 3,543

 472

 (1,358)

 650

 17,530

 3,784

 876

 (959)

 1,105

 46

 33,418

 6

 -

 -

 -

 7,221

 1,221

 (2,841)

 1,004

 52

 40,023

 -

 -

 (2)

 -

 7,676

 1,087

 (1,534)

 2,050

At 31 March 2017

 3,463

 17,611

 5,842

 22,336

 50

 49,302

Carrying amount

At 31 March 2017

 8,658

 4,112

 3,098

 8,268

At 31 March 2016

 9,021

 6,041

 3,131

 9,950

At 31 March 2015

 9,161

 9,717

 3,495

 10,910

 -

 -

 6

 24,136

 28,143

 33,289

Included within the table above are the following assets under the course of construction which are not being depreciated:

At 31 March 2017

At 31 March 2016

 114

 142

 -

 -

 -

 -

 129

 381

 15

 218

 -

 21

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Year ended 31 March 2017

17. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (CONTINUED)

The Group has the following contractual commitments:

Freehold 
land and 
buildings
 £’000

Short 
leasehold 
land and 
buildings 
 £’000

Plant and 
equipment 
£’000

Fixtures, 
fittings and 
equipment 
 £’000

Motor 
vehicles 
 £’000

At 31 March 2017

At 31 March 2016

 -

 93

 411

 67

 91

 122

 429

 22

 -

 -

Total 
£’000

 931

 304

Freehold land of £2,029,000 (2016: £2,029,000) has not been depreciated.

The Group tests property, plant and equipment annually for impairment, or more frequently if there are indications that 
assets might be impaired.

During the year, an impairment charge of £1,087,000 (2016: £1,221,000) was identified as part of the Directors’ impairment 
review  of  the  retail  store  assets.  £812,000  relates  to  the  store  in  Frankfurt  and  £275,000  relates  to  the  store  in  Dallas. 
Accelerated depreciation of £741,000 has also been charged in respect of Dallas in recognition of a break clause in 2018. In 
the prior year the stores impaired were Bloor Street in Toronto and San Jose. The total recoverable amount for these stores 
at the balance sheet date is considered to be £nil for Frankfurt and Dallas.

Where indicators of impairment are identified, the recoverable amounts of the cash-generating units (‘CGU’) are determined 
from value in use calculations and are compared to the assets’ carrying values at 31 March 2017.

The  key  assumptions  for  the  value  in  use  calculations  are  those  regarding  the  discount  rates,  sales  growth  rates  and 
expected changes to selling prices and direct costs during the period covered by the projections. Management estimates 
discount rates that reflect current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the CGUs. Post-
tax rates are used where the local entity is not expected to be tax paying and pre-tax where tax is predicted in the period 
being reviewed. The cash flow projections were based on the most recent financial budgets approved by the Board for the 
next 12 months, the Group’s 5 year strategic plan for years two to five and subsequent to this a nominal growth rate is used. 
The growth rates used are as follows: 

France: 70% growth in revenue in year one, taking into account the continued impact of terrorist activity in France since 
2015, 10% to 20% in years two to five.

Rest of Europe: 2% to 15% growth in revenue in year one, 8% to 25% in years two to five.

North America and Canada: 13% to 27% growth in revenue in year one, 5% to 22% in years two to five.

The growth rates start from a relatively low base as these stores are new and are based on past experience and expectations 
of future changes in the market. After five years this rate reduces to 3%, being the approximate average long term growth 
rate for the relevant markets. The Group has conducted a sensitivity analysis on the impairment test of each CGU’s carrying 
value and a possible change where forecast revenue falls below the budget by 15% to 20% from 2018 to 2022 would lead 
to an additional impairment charge of £1,785,000 of store fixed assets. 

The post-tax discount rates used in these calculations was between 8.7% and 9.6% (2016: 10%). This is based on the Group’s 
weighted average cost of capital adjusted for country specific tax rates and risks. The Group has conducted a sensitivity 
analysis on the impairment test of each CGU’s carrying value. 

18. SUBSIDIARIES

A list of the investments in subsidiaries, including the name, country of incorporation and proportion of ownership interest 
is given in note 38 to the Company’s separate financial statements.

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Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

19. INTERESTS IN ASSOCIATES

Total assets

Total liabilities

Total net assets

Group’s share of net assets of associate

Dividends received from associate in the year

2017 
£’000

2016
£’000

 831

 (7)

 824

 198

 195

993

(289)

704

206

 -

The above carrying value represents the initial cost of the investment undertaken, as well as any subsequent change in net 
assets of the associate, as at 31 March 2017.

Total revenue

Profit for the year

Group’s share of profit of associate

20. INVENTORIES

Raw materials

Work-in-progress

Finished goods

21. OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS

Trade and other receivables

Amount receivable for the sale of goods

Allowance for doubtful debts

Amounts owed by associate undertakings

Other debtors

Prepayments

Accrued income

  £’000

£’000

 2,139

 316

 148

2017 
£’000

 2,498

 981

39,343

2,127

 345

 169

2016
£’000

 3,494

 649

40,235

42,822

44,378

2017 
£’000

 8,007

 (331)

 7,676

 88

 3,876

 2,770

 259

2016
£’000

 4,809

 (261)

 4,548

 52

 2,202

 3,189

 776

 14,669 

10,767

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Year ended 31 March 2017

21. OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS (CONTINUED)

Trade receivables
The average credit period taken on the sale of goods is 54 days (2016: 44 days). No interest is charged on the outstanding 
receivables. The carrying amount of receivables approximates to their fair value.

The Group has provided for the estimated irrecoverable amount from the sale of goods, where there is doubt as to the 
recoverability of the receivables balance. Before accepting any new customer, the Group assesses the potential customer’s 
credit quality and defines individual credit limits by customer.

The  Group’s  receivables  comprise  primarily  department  stores,  franchisee  partners  and  associates,  and  wholesale 
customers. Those customers who represented more than 10% of the total balance of trade receivables at the year end were:

•  A  UK  based  department  store  in  which  Mulberry  operates  concession  stores  with  retail  revenue  in  the  UK  of 

£15,409,000 (2016: £13,956,000); and 

•  A distribution partner in Korea with total revenue of £4,002,000 (2016: £3,646,000).

Included in the Group’s trade receivables balance are debtors with a carrying amount of £1,117,000 (2016: £1,008,000) which 
are past due at the reporting date for which the Group has not provided as there has not been a significant change in credit 
quality and the amounts are still considered recoverable.

Ageing of past due but not impaired receivables:

0 to 30 days overdue

31 to 60 days overdue

Given the relatively small nature of the provision for receivables, no further analysis is provided.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

2017 
£’000

 1,017

 100

2016
£’000

900

108

 1,117

1,008

£’000

£’000

 21,093

14,014

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash held by the Group and short term bank deposits with an original maturity of three 
months or less. The carrying amount of these assets approximates to their fair value.

22. BORROWINGS

No borrowings were outstanding at the year end (2016: £nil). During June 2016, the Group renewed its £7,500,000 revolving 
credit facility until 30 October 2018. The interest rate when drawn down is 1.25% over LIBOR and incurs a commitment fee 
of 35% of the margin above LIBOR when unutilised. 

In  June  2017  the  Group  renewed  its  borrowing  facilities  to  include  trade  facilities  of  £2,000,000  at  the  year  end  
(2016: £2,000,000) together with a multi-currency overdraft facility of £4,000,000 (2016: £4,000,000) which would be repayable 
on demand and is secured by fixed and floating charges over the Group’s assets, together with Group cross guarantees. 
The interest rates are determined based on 1.25% over base. 

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Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

23. DEFERRED TAX

At 1 April 2015

(Credit)/charge to income

At 1 April 2016

(Credit)/charge to income

Deferred tax asset as at 31 March 2017

Losses in 
overseas 
territories
£’000

Accelerated 
tax
depreciation
£’000

Short term 
timing 
differences 
 £’000

 -

 -

 -

(360)

(360)

 (644)

 (254)

 (898)

 (48)

 (946)

(616)

 47

(569)

 375

(194)

Total
£’000

(1,260)

 (207)

(1,467)

 (33)

(1,500)

£1,222,000 (2016: £1,447,000) of the deferred tax asset is expected to unwind in more than one year.

At the balance sheet date, the Group has unused tax losses of £360,000 (2016: £nil) available for offset against future profits. 
A deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of £362,000 (2016: £nil) of such losses. 

24. OTHER FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Accruals and deferred income

Other payables

Derivative financial instruments

2017 
£’000

 8,519

 18,873

 948

 10

2016
£’000

 9,757

17,223

 825

 -

28,350

27,805

Trade payables and accruals principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. The average 
credit period taken for trade purchases is 20 days (2016: 21 days). For most suppliers, no interest is charged on the trade 
payables for the first 60 days from the date of the invoice. Thereafter, interest is charged on the outstanding balances at 
various interest rates. The Group has financial risk management policies in place to ensure that all payables are paid within 
the credit time frame.

Foreign exchange contracts are forward contracts, which are used to hedge exchange risk arising from the Group’s purchase 
of overseas sourced raw materials and finished products (note 31). These instruments are for US Dollars and Euros. 

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade payables approximates to their fair value.

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Year ended 31 March 2017

25. SHARE CAPITAL

Authorised

2017 
£’000

2016
£’000

65,000,000 ordinary shares of 5p each (2016: 65,000,000) 

3,250

3,250

Issued and fully paid

59,997,458 ordinary shares of 5p each (2016: 59,997,458)

3,000

3,000

There were no shares issued during the year. 

The Company has granted 208,500 options in respect of 5p ordinary shares during the year (2016: 520,437).

26. RESERVES

The Own share reserve represents 639,844 5p ordinary shares (2016: 645,405) at a cost of £1,461,289 (2016: £1,473,989). The 
shares have been purchased in the market or issued as new shares by the Company, and are held by the Mulberry Group 
Plc Employee Share Trust to satisfy the deferred and matching shares under the Deferred Bonus Plan and Co-ownership 
Equity Incentive Plan. 

During the year, the reserve reduced as a result of the transfer of 5,561 shares with a value of £12,700 (2016: 55,626 shares 
with a value of £127,039) to satisfy the vesting of share awards. The maximum number of own shares held during the year 
was 645,405 (2016: 701,031).

The  Capital  redemption  reserve  arose  following  a  capital  reconstruction  on  admission  of  the  Company’s  shares  to  the 
Alternative Investment Market on 23 May 1996. The Company purchased 3,074,396 of its own 5p ordinary shares at par.

27. OPERATING LEASE ARRANGEMENTS

2017 
£’000

2016
£’000

Minimum lease payments under operating leases recognised as an expense in the year

16,158

15,315

At  the  balance  sheet  date,  the  Group  had  outstanding  commitments  for  future  minimum  lease  payments  under  non-
cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

Within one year

In the second to fifth years inclusive

After five years

£’000

£’000

 15,876

 50,009

 45,369

14,340

42,516

47,991

111,254

104,847

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for certain of its retail stores, warehouses and offices. 
The leases are for a varied length of time with the longest lease running until 2035. Leases are typically subject to rent 
reviews at specified intervals and some payments are contingent upon levels of revenue above minimum thresholds. The 
amount paid under this contingent element in the year was £934,000 (2016: £921,000).

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Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

28. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Mulberry Group plc has acted as a guarantor on various property leases entered into between its subsidiaries and third 
party lessors. No amounts were outstanding at the year end in respect of such guarantees (2016: £nil).

In  prior  years  the  Group  received  £2,500,000  of  Government  grants  towards  the  operating  costs  of  a  new  factory  in 
Bridgwater, Somerset. The Group has to fulfil certain requirements through to June 2020, which if not met, some or all of 
the grant will need to be repaid. The Group is currently in compliance with these requirements and does not envisage that 
this situation will change and therefore there are no outstanding liabilities at the year end (2016: £nil).

29. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

The Group operated the following schemes during the year.

Mulberry Group plc 2008 Unapproved Share Option Scheme
The scheme was established on 14 April 2008 and is open to all employees of Mulberry Group plc and its subsidiaries. The 
exercise price is equal to the market value of the shares on the date of grant. The vesting period is generally three years. 
If the options remain unexercised for a period of ten years from the date of grant, they expire. Options may be forfeited if 
the employee leaves the Group.

Details of the share options movements during the year are as follows:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Granted during the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

2017
Number of 
 share 
options

2017
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price (in £) 

2016
Number of 
 share 
options

2016
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price (in £)

715,415

208,500

(85,200)

(11,000)

827,715

180,000

 8.34

10.34

 8.91

 8.10

 8.79

7.89

377,400

409,815

(71,800)

-

715,415

60,000

7.97

8.82

9.38

-

8.34

9.00

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the year was £10.97 (2016: £nil). 
The options outstanding at 31 March 2017 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 1.2 years (2016: 1.7 years).

The inputs into the Black-Scholes model are as follows:

Share price

Exercise price

Expected volatility

Expected life

Risk-free rate

Expected dividend yields

2017

£10.34

£10.34

18.4%

 3 years

0.51%

0.58%

2016

£8.68 to £9.00

£8.68 to £9.00

55.5% to 57.5%

3 years to 3.25 years

0.76%

0.58%

Expected volatility was based on historical volatility over the expected life of the scheme. The expected life is based upon 
historical data and has been adjusted based on management’s best estimate for the effects of non-transferability, exercise 
restrictions and behavioural considerations.

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Year ended 31 March 2017

29. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (CONTINUED)

Mulberry Group plc 2008 Deferred Bonus Plan
The plan was established on 8 August 2008 and is open to all employees of Mulberry Group plc and its subsidiaries. The 
share-based payments charge relates to the cost of matching shares awarded to employees participating in this plan. The 
vesting period is two years. If the matching shares remain unexercised after a period of ten years from the date of grant, the 
award expires. The matching shares may be forfeited if the employee leaves the Group.

Details of the share options outstanding during the year are as follows:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year 

Exercised during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

2017 
Number 
of 
matching 
shares

2016
Number 
of 
matching 
shares

23,302

(12,506)

29,097

(5,795)

10,796

23,302

10,796

23,302

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the year was £10.26 (2016: 
£9.18). The options outstanding at 31 March 2017 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of nil years (2016: 
nil years) and have an exercise price of £nil. 

The inputs into the Black-Scholes model are as follows:

Share price

Exercise price

Expected volatility

Expected life

Risk-free rate

Expected dividend yields

2017 and 2016

£14.75

£nil

42%

2 years

0.27%

0.2%

Expected volatility was based on historical volatility over the expected life of the scheme. The expected life is based upon 
historical data and has been adjusted based on management’s best estimate for the effects of non-transferability, exercise 
restrictions and behavioural considerations.

Mulberry Group plc 2009 Co-ownership Equity Incentive Plan
The plan was established on 20 August 2009. The vesting period is generally three years. The jointly owned shares may be 
forfeited if the employee leaves the Group prior to vesting and the rights of the participant lapse if the award has not been 
exercised after a period of seven years from the date of vesting.

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Mulberr y Group plc

Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

29. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (CONTINUED)

Details of the share awards outstanding during the year are as follows:

2017
Number 
of 
 Share 
options

2017
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price (in 
£) 

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

300,000

1.46

Exercised during the year

-

2016
Number 
of 
 Share 
options

350,000

(50,000)

Outstanding at the end of the year

300,000

1.46

300,000

Exercisable at the end of the year

300,000

-

300,000

2016
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price (in 
£)

1.46

1.46

1.46

-

The co-owned share rights outstanding at 31 March 2017 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of nil years 
(2016: nil years). The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share awards exercised during the year was £nil.

The inputs into the Black-Scholes model are as follows:

Share price

Exercise price

Expected volatility

Expected life

Risk-free rate

Expected dividend yields

2017 and 2016

£1.21½ to £18.89½

£1.46 to £23.02

47.96% to 53.79%

2.25 years to 4 years

0.41% to 2.16%

0.4% to 1.6%

Mulberry Group plc Long Term Incentive Plan
The  plan  was  established  on  19  December  2012.  The  vesting  period  is  generally  three  years  and  is  dependent  upon 
attainment of certain performance conditions, including achievement of Group revenue and EBIT growth. The options may 
be forfeited if the employee leaves the Group and the rights of the participant lapse if the award has not been exercised 
after a period of five years from the date of vesting.

Details of the share awards outstanding during the year are as follows:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year 

Forfeited during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

2017 
Number 
of shares

2016
Number 
of shares

61,400

(61,400)

 -

 -

117,766

(56,366)

61,400

-

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Mulberr y Group plc

Year ended 31 March 2017

29. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (CONTINUED)

The inputs into the Black-Scholes model are as follows:

Share price

Exercise price

Expected volatility

Expected life

Risk-free rate

Expected dividend yields

2017 and 2016

£10.00 to £11.63

£nil

53% to 60%

1.5 years to 3 years

0.27% to 0.66%

0.2% to 0.5%

Expected volatility was based on historical volatility over the expected life of the scheme. The expected life is based upon 
historical data and has been adjusted based on management’s best estimate for the effects of non-transferability, exercise 
restrictions and behavioural considerations.

Mulberry Group plc Idea’Spring Option Plan
This option grant was made on 11 August 2015. The vesting period is at the discretion of the Board and upon attainment 
of certain performance conditions, including achievement of Group revenue. The options may be forfeited if the individual 
ceases  to  provide  consultancy  services  to  the  Group  and  the  rights  of  the  participant  lapse  if  the  award  has  not  been 
exercised after a period of eight years from the date of vesting.

Details of the share options movements during the year are as follows:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

2017
Number 
of 
 Share 
options

110,622

110,622

-

2017
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price
(in £) 

0.05

0.05

-

2016
Number 
of 
 Share 
options

110,622

110,622

-

2016
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price
(in £)

0.05

0.05

-

The options outstanding at 31 March 2017 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 6.3 years (2016: 7.3 years).

The inputs into the Black-Scholes model are as follows:

Share price

Exercise price

Expected volatility

Expected life

Risk-free rate

Expected dividend yields

2017 and 2016

£9.14

£0.05

17%

2 years 

1.11% 

0.5%

Expected volatility was based on historical volatility over the expected life of the plan. The expected life is based upon 
historical data and has been adjusted based on management’s best estimate for the effects of non-transferability, exercise 
restrictions and behavioural considerations.

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Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

29. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (CONTINUED)

The Group recognised the following expense related to share-based payments:

Mulberry Group plc 2008 Unapproved Share Option Scheme

 532

434

 2017
£’000

2016
£’000

Mulberry Group plc 2008 Deferred Bonus Plan

Mulberry Group plc 2009 Co-ownership Equity Incentive Plan

Mulberry Group plc Long Term Incentive Plan

Mulberry Group plc Idea’Spring Option Plan

 -

 -

 -

 554

1,086

-

-

-

 44

478

30. RETIREMENT BENEFIT SCHEMES

The Group contributes to personal pension plans for all qualifying employees. The total cost charged to income of £853,000 
(2016: £859,000) represents contributions payable to these personal plans by the Group at rates contractually agreed. As 
at 31 March 2017, contributions due in respect of the current reporting period which had not been paid over to the plans 
were £131,000 (2016: £152,000).

31. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Capital risk management
The  Group  manages  its  capital  to  ensure  that  entities  in  the  Group  will  be  able  to  continue  as  going  concerns,  while 
maximising the return to shareholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The capital structure of 
the Group consists of cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to equity holders of the parent, comprising issued 
capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in the Group statement of changes in equity and notes 25 and 26.

Externally imposed capital requirement
The Group is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements.

Significant accounting policies
Details  of  the  significant  accounting  policies  and  methods  adopted,  including  the  criteria  for  recognition,  the  basis  of 
measurement  and  the  basis  on  which  income  and  expense  are  recognised,  in  respect  of  each  class  of  financial  asset, 
financial liability and equity instrument, are disclosed in note 3 to the financial statements.

Categories of financial instruments

2017
£’000

2016
£’000

Financial assets

Loans and receivables (including cash and cash equivalents)

28,857

18,614

Financial liabilities

Amortised cost

Derivatives in designated hedging relationships

8,519

 10

9,757

 -

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Year ended 31 March 2017

31. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

Fair value measurements
The information set out below provides information about how the Group determines fair values of derivatives in designated 
hedging relationships. These are within the Level 2 fair value measurement hierarchy derived indirectly from quoted prices. 

Financial assets/

financial liabilities

Fair value

Fair value

as at

2017

£’000

as at

2016

£’000

Relationship of 

Significant 

unobservable 

Valuation techniques

unobservable 

inputs to fair 

and key inputs

inputs

value

n/a

Derivatives in 

Assets - £nil 

Assets - £nil 

Discounted cash flow.

n/a

designated hedging 

and liabilities 

and liabilities 

Future cash flows are estimated based on 

relationships

- £10

- £nil

forward exchange rates (from observable 

forward exchange rates at the end of the 

reporting period) and contract forward 

rates, discounted at a rate that reflects 

the credit risk of various counterparties.

Financial risk management objectives
The Group’s Chief Financial Officer is responsible to the Board for the Group’s financial risk management. This includes 
analysing the Group’s exposure by degree and magnitude of risks. These risks include market risk (including currency risk 
and interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk.

The Group seeks to minimise the effects of these risks where possible. It does this by maintaining bank accounts in all of 
the major currencies in which it trades and it operates its own internal hedging by offsetting currency receipts on sales 
against purchases in related currencies. Where there is significant risk remaining, and the Group deems it necessary, it uses 
derivative financial instruments to hedge these risk exposures. The Group does not enter into or trade financial instruments, 
including derivative financial instruments, for speculative purposes.

Market risk
The Group’s activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest 
rates. In accordance with the Board approved foreign currency risk management policy, the Group uses derivative financial 
instruments to manage its foreign currency exposure. As the Group has no debt, it is not significantly exposed to interest 
rate risk on its financial liabilities and continues to seek to maximise the returns from its bank deposits.

Foreign currency risk management
The  Group  undertakes  certain  transactions  denominated  in  foreign  currencies.  Hence,  exposures  to  exchange  rate 
fluctuations arise. The Group’s principal foreign currency exposure arises from purchase of overseas sourced raw materials 
and  finished  products.  The  Board  regularly  review  the  Group’s  foreign  currency  exposure,  including  the  current  market 
value of outstanding foreign exchange contracts, and set an appropriate hedging strategy for the near term future. This is 
determined in conjunction with percentage cover taken by season and financial year and current market conditions.

The fair values of foreign exchange derivatives are as follows:

Derivatives in designated hedging relationships

2017
£’000

10

2016
£’000

 -

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Mulberr y Group plc

Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

31. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

The total notional amount of outstanding foreign exchange contracts at the balance sheet date is as follows:

Euro

US Dollar

2017
£’000

2,155

880

2016
£’000

-

-

The carrying amounts of the Group’s foreign currency denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities at the reporting 
date are as follows:

Euro

US Dollar

Hong Kong Dollar

Australian Dollar

Liabilities
2017 
£’000

Liabilities
2016
£’000

 5,003

 2,338

 122

 40

5,013

2,333

-

-

Assets
2017
£’000

 8,875

 3,699

 3,308

 603

Assets
2016
£’000

5,790

986

-

-

Foreign currency sensitivity analysis
The Group is mainly exposed to the US Dollar, Euro and Hong Kong Dollar currencies.

The following table details the Group’s sensitivity to a 10% increase or decrease in Sterling against the relevant foreign 
currencies.  10%  is  the  sensitivity  rate  which  represents  management’s  assessment  of  the  reasonably  possible  change  in 
foreign exchange rates. The sensitivity analysis includes only outstanding foreign currency denominated monetary items 
and adjusts their translation at the period end for a 10% change in foreign currency rates. A positive number below indicates 
an increase in profit and other equity where Sterling strengthens 10% against the relevant currency. For a 10% weakening 
of Sterling against the relevant currency, there would be an equal and opposite impact on the profit and other equity, and 
the balances below would be negative or positive.

Euro

US Dollar

Hong Kong Dollar

Australian Dollar

Impact 
on profit
2017
£’000

Impact
 on profit
2016
£’000

 352

 124

 290

 51

71

122

-

-

Interest rate risk management and sensitivity analysis
The Group’s exposure to interest rate risk on borrowings is limited as there is no outstanding debt within the Group. The 
Group’s exposures to interest rates on financial assets and financial liabilities are detailed in the liquidity risk management 
section of this note.

The Group’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates has been illustrated based on a 1% increase or decrease in interest rates. 
For floating rate deposits and liabilities, the analysis is prepared assuming the amount of liability outstanding at the balance 
sheet date was outstanding for the whole year. A 1% increase or decrease has been applied to represent management’s 
assessment of the reasonably possible change in interest rates.

If interest rates had been 1% higher and all other variables were held constant, the Group’s profit for the year ended 31 
March 2017 would have decreased by £61,000 (2016: profit decreased by £16,000). This is mainly attributable to the Group’s 
exposure to interest rates on its overdraft facility.

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Year ended 31 March 2017

31. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

Credit risk management
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the 
Group. The Group has adopted a policy of only dealing with creditworthy counterparties and obtaining letters of credit 
where deemed appropriate, as a means of mitigating the risk of financial loss from defaults.

Trade  receivables  consist  of  a  large  number  of  customers.  Credit  evaluation  is  performed  on  the  financial  condition  of 
accounts receivable and, where appropriate, credit insurance cover is purchased.

The Group does not have any significant credit risk exposure to any single counterparty or any group of counterparties 
having  similar  characteristics,  other  than  as  disclosed  in  note  21.  The  Group  defines  counterparties  as  having  similar 
characteristics if they are connected entities.

Liquidity risk management
Ultimate  responsibility  for  liquidity  risk  management  rests  with  the  Board  of  Directors,  which  has  built  an  appropriate 
liquidity risk management framework for the management of the Group’s short, medium and long term funding and liquidity 
management requirements. The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate reserves and banking facilities by 
continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities. 
Included in note 22 is a description of additional undrawn facilities that the Group has at its disposal to reduce further 
liquidity risk.

Liquidity and interest risk tables
The  Group’s  financial  assets  all  contractually  mature  within  the  next  year.  Trade  receivables  do  not  accrue  interest.  The 
weighted average interest rate on cash and cash equivalents was +0.05% (2016: -3.5%).

The  following  tables  detail  the  Group’s  remaining  contractual  maturity  for  its  financial  liabilities.  The  tables  have  been 
drawn up based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the Group can 
be required to pay. The table includes both interest and principal cash flows.

2017

Current liabilities

Derivatives: gross 
settled

Cash inflows

Cash outflows

Weighted 
average 
interest 
rate
 £’000

-

-

-

Weighted 
average 
interest 
rate
 £’000

Less
than 1
year 
 £’000

-

3,035

(3,061)

1 to 2 
years
£’000 

2 to 3 
years 
 £’000

3 to 4 
years 
£’000

4 to 5 
years 
 £’000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total 
£’000

-

3,035

(3,061)

Less than 
1 year 
 £’000

1 to 2 
years
£’000 

2 to 3 
years 
 £’000

3 to 4 
years 
£’000

4 to 5 
years 
 £’000

Total 
£’000

2016

Current liabilities

-

30,403

-

-

-

-

30,403

Fair value of financial instruments
The  carrying  amounts  of  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  recorded  at  amortised  cost  in  the  financial  statements 
approximate to their fair values except for derivatives in designated hedging relationships which are valued at fair value.

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Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

32. ACQUISITIONS AND BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

During the year, Mulberry Company (Australia) Pty Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mulberry Group plc, acquired the 
Mulberry store in Westfield Shopping Centre, Sydney and the related assets from its long-standing distribution partner, 
Club 21 Australia Pty Limited. The stock was acquired at cost (£0.3 million) and the lease and employees were transferred 
for £nil consideration.

This  store  has  contributed  £815,000  to  revenue  and  £26,000  to  profit  to  the  Group  results  in  2017.  Had  the  acquisition 
happened on 1 April 2016 these results would not be materially different. 

33. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On 3 April 2017 Mulberry (Asia) Limited  took control of 4 stores previously owned by Club 21 in Hong Kong, Taiwan and 
China. A subsidiary in China and a branch office in Taiwan are expected to be operational during 2017, once the relevant 
business licences for those territories have been received.  The value of stock purchased from Club 21 across all 3 territories 
(Hong Kong, Taiwan and China) was £1.7 million. The lease and employees were acquired for £nil consideration. The fair 
value of assets acquired is provisional. 

34. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation 
and are not disclosed in this note. Transactions between the Group and its associates are disclosed below.

Trading transactions
During the year, Group companies entered into the following transactions with related parties which are not members of 
the Group:

Mulberry Oslo AS

Club 21 Retail (Hong Kong) Limited*

Club 21 (Hong Kong) Limited*

Club 21 Shanghai Limited*

Club 21 Pte Limited*

Club 21 (Thailand) Co Limited*

Club 21 Pte Limited Taiwan Branch*

Club Twenty-One Retail (M) Sdn Bhd*

Club 21 Australia Pty Limited*

Club 21 Japan Company Limited*

PT Kelab 21 Retail*

Club 21 (Macau) Limited*

Challice Limited

Sale of goods

2017 
£’000

 1,148

 1,143

 -

 310

 1,817

 764

 185

 461

 (2)

 500

 -

 -

 -

2016
£’000

1,101

2,315

 1

 60

 658

 810

 295

 319

 198

 350

 140

 18

 -

Amounts owed 
by/(from) related 
parties

2017
£’000

2016
£’000

 88

232

 -

 89

114

122

 23

 34

 (1)

 (5)

 -

 -

 1,323

52

59

-

7

16

20

8

22

(113)

17

8

-

-

*These are related parties of the Group as they are all related companies of Challice Limited, the majority shareholder of the Company.

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Mulberr y Group plc

Year ended 31 March 2017

34. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)

All sales of goods have been made on an arm’s length basis. The amounts outstanding are unsecured and will be settled 
in cash. No guarantees have been given or received. No provisions have been made for doubtful debts in respect of the 
amounts owed by related parties.

During the year Mulberry Company (USA) Inc paid rent of £123,710 (2016: £105,751) to Como Holdings USA Inc, a company 
which is a related party to Challice Limited, the majority shareholder of the Company, and whose Chief Executive Officer is 
Steven Grapstein. No amounts were outstanding in relation to this at the year end or prior year end.

Remuneration of key management personnel
The remuneration of the Directors, who are the key management personnel of the Group, is set out below in aggregate for 
each of the categories specified in IAS 24 ‘Related Party Disclosures’. The Directors’ remuneration report on pages 12 to 
14 of this Annual Report forms part of these financial statements. Further information about the remuneration of individual 
Directors is provided within the audited section of the Directors’ remuneration report.

Short term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Share-based payments

35. CONTROLLING PARTY

2017 
£’000

 1,778

 19

 292

2,089

2016
£’000

1,694

79

337

2,110

At the year end and at the date of this report, Challice Limited controlled 56.21% of the issued share capital of the Company. 
The ultimate controlling parties of Challice Limited are Mr Ong Beng Seng and Mrs Christina Ong.

Challice  Limited  is  registered  outside  the  UK  and  is  not  required  to  prepare  consolidated  accounts.  Therefore  the 
consolidated financial statements of Mulberry Group plc represent the highest level at which a consolidation is prepared 
for the Group. 

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Mulberr y Group plc

Company financial statements

Year ended 31 March 2017

Company balance sheet 

Company statement of changes in equity 

Notes to the Company financial statements 

Notice of Annual General Meeting 

Group five year summary 

Page

61

62

63

69

73

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6 0

Mulberr y Group plc

Company balance sheet

At 31 March 2017

Fixed assets

Tangible assets

Investments

Current assets

Debtors falling due within one year

Total assets

Current liabilities

Note

2017
 £’000

2016
£’000

39

38

 4,498

 20,810

5,938

18,496

 25,308

24,434

40

 59,221

 84,529

56,082

80,516

Amounts falling due within one year

41

 (66,857)

(60,342)

Total assets less current liabilities

Provision for liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves

Called up share capital

Share premium account

Own share reserve

Capital redemption reserve

Retained earnings

Total equity

 17,672

20,174

 (32)

(104)

 17,640

20,070

 3,000

 11,961

 (1,461)

 154

 3,986

3,000

11,961

(1,474)

154

6,429

17,640

20,070

25

26

26

The Company reported a loss for the financial year ended 31 March 2017 of £408,000 (2016: profit of £1,010,000).

The financial statements of Mulberry Group plc (company number 01180514) were approved by the Board of Directors and 
authorised for issue on 13 June 2017.

They were signed on its behalf by:

Thierry Andretta 
Director 

Neil Ritchie
Director

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Company statement of changes in equity

Year ended 31 March 2017

Share
 capital 
£’000

Share 
premium 
account 
£’000

Own 
share 
reserve 
£’000

Capital
redemption 
reserve 
£’000

Special 
reserve* 
£’000

 Retained 
earnings 
£’000

As at 1 April 2015

Profit for the year

Total comprehensive 
income for the year

Charge for employee share-
based payments

Exercise of share options

Own shares

Ordinary dividends paid

Redemption of reserve

3,000

11,961

(1,601)

154

4,187

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

127

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(4,187)

Balance at 31 March 2016

3,000

11,961

(1,474)

154

Other comprehensive loss
for the year

Total comprehensive loss
for the year

Charge for employee
share-based payments

Exercise of share options

Own shares

Ordinary dividends paid

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 13

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Balance at 31 March 2017

3,000

11,961

(1,461)

154

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total
£’000

21,572

1,010

3,871

1,010

1,010

1,010

478

(149)

-

(2,968)

 4,187

478

(149)

127

(2,968)

-

 6,429

20,070

 (408)

 (408)

 (408)

 (408)

 1,086

 1,086

 (153)

-

 (153)

 13

 (2,968)

(2,968)

 3,986

17,640

* The special reserve was created as part of a capital restructuring of the Group in 2004. It was released to retained earnings during 2016.

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Notes to the Company financial statements

Year ended 31 March 2017

36. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of accounting
Please refer to note 1 for full details of the Company’s incorporation, registered office, operations and principal activity. 

Please refer to note 35 regarding the Company’s ultimate controlling party.

The separate financial statements of the Company are presented as required by the Companies Act 2006. The Company 
meets  the  definition  of  a  qualifying  entity  under  FRS  101  (Financial  Reporting  Standard  101)  issued  by  the  Financial 
Reporting Council. The financial statements have therefore been prepared in accordance with FRS 101 (Financial Reporting 
Standard 101) ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ as issued by the Financial Reporting Council. 

As permitted by FRS 101, the Company has taken advantage of the disclosure exemptions available under that Standard 
in relation to share-based payments, financial instruments, capital management, presentation of comparative information 
in respect of certain assets, presentation of a cash flow statement and certain related party transactions. Where required, 
equivalent disclosures are given in the Group financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis. The principal accounting policies, and critical 
accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty adopted are the same as those set out in notes 3 and 4 
to the Group financial statements except as noted below. These have been applied consistently throughout the year and 
the preceding year.

Investments
Fixed asset investments in subsidiaries and associates are shown at cost less provision for impairment.

37. PROFIT FOR THE YEAR

As  permitted  by  Section  408  of  the  Companies  Act  2006  the  Company  has  elected  not  to  present  its  own  profit  and 
loss  account  for  the  year.  Mulberry  Group  plc  reported  a  loss  for  the  financial  year  ended  31  March  2017  of  £408,000  
(2016:  profit  of  £1,010,000).  Included  in  the  loss  for  the  year  is  a  provision  of  £14,183,000  (2016:  £5,729,000)  against 
intercompany  balances  and  the  release  of  a  provision  for  impairment  of  investments  of  £nil  (2016:  release  of  provision  
of £5,000,000).

The auditor’s remuneration for audit and other services is disclosed within note 9 to the Group financial statements. The 
only employees of the Company are the Directors whose emoluments are disclosed in the Directors’ remuneration report.

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Notes to the Company financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

38. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

Cost

At 1 April 2016

Additions

Disposals

At 31 March 2017

Provision for impairment

At 1 April 2016

Charge for the year

Impairment charge

At 31 March 2017

Net Book Value

At 31 March 2017

At 31 March 2016

Subsidiaries 
shares
£’000

Subsidiaries 
loans
£’000

 8,561

 2,314

 -

 11,804

 -

 -

Total 
£’000

 20,365

2,314

 -

 10,875

 11,804

 22,679

 1,869

 -

 -

 1,869

 9,006

 6,692

 -

 -

 -

 -

 1,869

 -

 -

 1,869

 11,804

 20,810

 11,804

 18,496

The Company has investments in the following subsidiaries and associates which contributed to the results or net assets of 
the Group at the year ended 31 March 2016 and 31 March 2017 (except as highlighted):

Subsidiaries

Mulberry Company (Design) 
Limited (1)

Mulberry Company (Sales) 
Limited (1)

Mulberry Company (Europe) 
Limited (1)

Country of 
incorporation

England and 
Wales

England and 
Wales

England and 
Wales

Mulberry Company (USA) Inc (2)

USA

Principal activity

Design and manufacture of clothing 
and fashion accessories in the UK

Establishment and operation of retail 
shops in the UK

Intermediary holding company

Establishment and operation of retail 
stores in the USA

Mulberry Group Plc Employee 
Share Trust (3)

Mulberry Company (Germany) 
GmbH (4)

Guernsey

Operation of an employee share trust

Germany

Establishment and operation of retail 
stores in Germany

Mulberry Company (Switzerland) 
GmbH (5)

Switzerland

Establishment and operation of retail 
stores in Switzerland

Mulberry Company (Austria) 
GmbH (6)

Austria

Establishment and operation of retail 
stores in Austria

6 4

Mulberr y Group plc

Proportion 
of ownership 
interest and 
voting power

100%

100%**

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

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Year ended 31 March 2017

38. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

Subsidiaries

Country of 
incorporation

Principal activity

Mulberry Company (Canada) 
Inc (7)

Mulberry Company (France) 
SARL (8)

Canada

France

Establishment and operation of retail 
stores in Canada

Establishment and operation of retail 
stores in France

Mulberry France Services SARL (9)

France

Operation of non-retail services

Mulberry Company (Australia) 
Pty Limited (10)

Australia

Establishment and operation of retail 
stores in Australia

Mulberry Company (Shoes) 
Limited (1)

Mulberry Company (Holdings) 
Limited (1)

Mulberry Fashions Limited (1)

Mulberry Leathers Limited (1) 

Mulberry (UK) Limited (1)

Mulberry Company (Asia) 
Limited**** (11)

Associates
Mulberry Oslo AS* (12) 

England and 
Wales

England and 
Wales 

England and 
Wales 

England and 
Wales 

England and 
Wales 

Hong Kong 

Dormant company

Dormant company

Dormant company

Dormant company

Dormant company

Establishment and operation of retail 
stores in Asia

Norway

 Operation of retail store in Oslo

Proportion 
of ownership 
interest and 
voting power

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%***

100%***

100%

60%

50%

* 

  Mulberry Oslo AS is treated as an associate as, while the Group effectively owns 50% of the issued ordinary share capital, the entity is controlled by a third 
party. It has an accounting reference date of 30 September
 Owned by Mulberry Company (Europe) Limited

** 
***   Owned by Mulberry Company (Holdings) Limited

**** New company formed in the year ended 31 March 2017

The registered offices of the subsidiaries and associates are as follows:

(1)  The Rookery, Chilcompton, Bath, Somerset, BA3 4EH, England
(2)  19th Floor, 475 Park Avenue South, New York 10016, USA
(3)  Cambridge House, Le Truchot, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3UW
(4)  c/o Osborne Clarke, Innere Kanalstrasse 15, 50823 Cologne, Germany
(5)  Storchengasse 4, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland
(6)  Seitzergasse 2-4, 1010 Vienna, Austria
(7)  340 Albert Street, Suite 1400, Ottawa, Ontario K1R 0A5, Canada
(8)  275 rue Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris, France
(9)  15 rue Saint-Florentin, 75008 Paris, France
(10) Level 12, 225 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
(11) Unit 103B 1/F Star House, 3 Salisbury Road TST KLN, Hong Kong
(12) Akersgata 18, 0158 Oslo, Norway

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Mulberr y Group plc

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Notes to the Company financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

39. TANGIBLE ASSETS

Cost

At 1 April 2016

Additions

Disposals

At 31 March 2017

Depreciation

At 1 April 2016

Charge for the year

Disposals

At 31 March 2017

Net book value

At 31 March 2017

At 31 March 2016

Freehold 
land and 
buildings 
 £’000

Short 
leasehold
land and 
buildings 
£’000

Fixtures 
and 
fittings 
 £’000

 6,572

 7,077

 83

 (17)

 5

 -

 6,638

 7,082

 2,556

 232

 -

 5,327

 1,182

 (15)

 2,788

 6,494

 3,850

 588

 4,016

 1,750

 714

 -

 (3)

 711

 542

 112

 (3)

 651

 60

 172

Total 
£’000

 14,363

 88

 (20)

 14,431

 8,425

 1,526

 (18)

 9,933

 4,498

 5,938

Freehold land of £997,000 (2016: £997,000) has not been depreciated.

At  31  March  2017,  the  Company  had  entered  into  contractual  commitments  for  the  acquisition  of  property  of  £nil 
(2016:  £93,000)  and  there  were  assets  under  the  course  of  construction  where  depreciation  has  not  yet  commenced  of  
£13,000 (2016: £218,000).

The Group’s borrowing facilities have been secured by fixed and floating charges over the Company’s assets.

40. DEBTORS

Amounts falling due within one year:

Amounts owed by Group undertakings

Prepayments and accrued income

2017 
£’000

2016
£’000

 58,982

 239

55,826

256

 59,221

56,082

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Year ended 31 March 2017

41. CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year:

Amounts owed to Group undertakings

Accruals and deferred income

Current tax

42. DEFERRED TAX

Deferred tax – accelerated capital allowances

Deferred tax liability at 1 April 2016

Credit for the year

Deferred tax liability at 31 March 2017

43. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

2017 
£’000

2016
£’000

65,434

58,568

 822

 601

1,319

455

66,857

60,342

2016
£’000

104

2017 
£’000

 32

104

(72)

 32

Details of related party transactions are provided in note 34 of the Group financial statements. The Company has taken 
advantage of the exemption in FRS 101:8 not to disclose details of transactions with other wholly-owned Group companies.

44. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Mulberry Group plc has acted as a guarantor on various property leases entered into between its subsidiaries and third 
party lessors. No amounts were outstanding at the year end in respect of such guarantees (2016: £nil). 

Mulberry Group plc has acted as guarantor on a £2.5 million Regional Growth Fund grant received by its subsidiary, Mulberry 
Company (Design) Limited, towards the operating costs of a new factory in Bridgwater, Somerset. The Group has to fulfil 
certain requirements through to June 2020, which if not met, some or all of the grant will need to be repaid. The Group is 
currently in compliance with these requirements and does not envisage that this situation will change and therefore there 
are no outstanding liabilities at the year end (2016: £nil).

There is no expectation that any liabilities or cash outflows will arise for the Company as a result of such guarantees. 

45. SHARE CAPITAL

The movements in share capital are disclosed in note 25 to the Group financial statements.

46. RESERVES

The movements in the Own share reserve are disclosed in note 26 to the Group financial statements.

Details of the Capital redemption reserve are disclosed in note 26 to the Group financial statements.

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Notes to the Company financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2017

47. PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

Balance at 1 April 2015

Profit for the year

Ordinary dividends paid

Charge for share-based payments

Exercise of share options

Redemption of reserve

At 1 April 2016

Loss for the year

Ordinary dividends paid

Charge for share-based payments

Exercise of share options

At 31 March 2017

£’000

3,871

1,010

(2,968)

478

(149)

4,187

6,429

 (408)

(2,968)

 1,086

 (153)

3,986

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Notice of Annual General Meeting

Year ended 31 March 2017

Notice  is  given  that  the  Annual  General  Meeting  of  Mulberry  Group  plc  will  be  held  at  Mulberry  Group  plc’s  offices,  
30 Kensington Church Street, London, W8 4HA on 12 September 2017 at 11 am for the following purposes:

ORDINARY BUSINESS:

To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions, which will be proposed as ordinary resolutions:

Adoption of financial statements

1.  That the report of the Directors and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2017 together with the 

independent auditor’s report be received and adopted.

Dividend declaration

2.  To declare a final dividend of 5.0 pence per ordinary share for the year ended 31 March 2017.

Re-election of retiring Directors

3.  That Mr A C Roberts who retires as a Director by rotation in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association 

be re-elected as a Director.

4.  That Ms M Ong who retires as a Director by rotation in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association be 

re-elected as a Director.

Appointment of auditor

5.  That Deloitte LLP be re-appointed as auditor of the Company until the conclusion of the next general meeting 

before which accounts are laid, and that their remuneration be agreed by the Directors.

SPECIAL BUSINESS:

To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions, of which resolution 6 will be proposed as an ordinary resolution, 
and resolutions 7 and 8 will be proposed as special resolutions:

Directors’ power to allot relevant securities

6.  That, in substitution for any equivalent authorities and powers granted to the Directors prior to the passing of this 
resolution, the Directors be and they are generally and unconditionally authorised pursuant to Section 551 of the 
Companies Act 2006 (“the Act”) to exercise all powers of the Company to allot shares in the Company, and grant 
rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares of the Company (such shares, and rights to subscribe 
for or to convert any security into shares of the Company being “relevant securities”) up to an aggregate nominal 
amount of £999,958, provided that, unless previously revoked, varied or extended, this authority shall expire on 
the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held in 2018, except that the Company 
may at any time before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require relevant securities 
to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot relevant securities in pursuance of such an offer or 
agreement as if this authority had not expired.

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Notice of Annual General Meeting (continued)

Waiver of statutory pre-emption rights

7.  That the Directors be and they are empowered pursuant to Section 570(1) of the Act to allot equity securities (as 
defined in Section 560(1) of the Act) of the Company wholly for cash pursuant to the authority of the Directors 
under Section 551 of the Act conferred by resolution 6 above, and/or by way of a sale of treasury shares (by virtue 
of Section 573 of the Act), in each case as if Section 561(1) of the Act did not apply to such allotment, provided that: 

(a)  the power conferred by this resolution shall be limited to:

(i) 

the allotment of equity securities in connection with an offer of equity securities to the holders of ordinary 
shares in the capital of the Company in proportion as nearly as practicable to their respective holdings of 
such  shares,  but  subject  to  such  exclusions  or  other  arrangements  as  the  Directors  may  deem  necessary 
or  expedient  to  deal  with  fractional  entitlements  or  legal  or  practical  problems  arising  under  the  laws  or 
requirements of any overseas territory or by virtue of shares being represented by depository receipts or the 
requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange or any other matter whatsoever; and

(ii)  the allotment, otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph (i) above, of equity securities up to an aggregate 

nominal value equal to £149,994; and

(b)  unless previously revoked, varied or extended, this power shall expire on the conclusion of the Annual General 
Meeting of the Company to be held in 2018 except that the Company may before the expiry of this power make 
an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the 
Directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if this power had not expired.

Authority to purchase ordinary shares (market purchases)

8.  That the Company be and is hereby unconditionally and generally authorised for the purposes of Section 701 of 
the Act to make market purchases (within the meaning of Section 693(4) of the Act) of its ordinary shares of 5p 
each (“Ordinary Shares”) provided that:

(a)  the maximum number of Ordinary Shares authorised to be purchased is 2,999,873;

(b)  the minimum price which may be paid for any such Ordinary Share is 5p;

(c)  the maximum price which may be paid for an Ordinary Share shall be an amount equal to 105% of the average 
middle market prices for an Ordinary Share as derived from the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List for the 
five business days immediately preceding the day on which the Ordinary Share is contracted to be purchased; 
and

(d)  this  authority  shall,  unless  previously  renewed,  revoked  or  varied,  expire  on  the  earlier  of  the  date  falling  
18 months after the date of the passing of this resolution and the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of 
the Company to be held in 2018, but the Company may enter into a contract for the purchase of Ordinary Shares 
before the expiry of this authority which would or might be completed (wholly or partly) after its expiry.

By order of the Board

Kate Anthony Wilkinson
Secretary
13 June 2017

Registered office: The Rookery, Chilcompton, Bath, Somerset, BA3 4EH

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NOTES:

1.  All members holding ordinary shares are entitled to attend, speak and vote at the meeting. Such members may 
appoint a proxy to attend, speak and vote instead of them. A proxy need not also be a member of the Company 
but  must  attend  the  AGM  in  order  to  represent  his  appointer.  A  member  may  appoint  more  than  one  proxy 
provided each proxy is appointed to exercise rights attached to different shares (so a member must have more 
than one share to be able to appoint more than one proxy). A form of proxy is enclosed. The notes to the form 
of proxy include instructions on how to appoint the Chairman of the AGM or another person as proxy and how 
to appoint a proxy electronically or by using the CREST proxy appointment service. To be effective the form must 
reach the Company’s registrar, Computershare Investor Services PLC at The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol 
BS99 6ZY by 11 am on 8 September 2017.

2.  Pursuant  to  regulation  41  of  the  Uncertificated  Securities  Regulations  2001,  the  Company  specifies  that  only 
those persons registered in the register of members of the Company at 6 pm on 8 September 2017 (or if the 
AGM is adjourned, 48 hours before the time fixed for the adjourned AGM) shall be entitled to attend and vote 
at the AGM in respect of the number of shares registered in their name at that time. Any changes to the register 
of members after such time shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend or vote at the 
AGM.

3.  Please note that communications regarding the matters set out in this Notice of Annual General Meeting will not 

be accepted in electronic form other than as specified in the enclosed form of proxy.

4.  As at 13 June 2017 (being the last business day prior to the publication of this Notice) the Company’s issued share 
capital consists of 59,997,458 ordinary shares, carrying one vote each. Therefore, the total voting rights in the 
Company as at 13 June 2017 are 59,997,458.

5.  The following documents are available for inspection at the registered office of the Company during the usual 
business hours on any weekday (Saturday, Sunday or public holidays excluded) from the date of this Notice until 
the conclusion of the AGM and will also be available for inspection at the place of the AGM from 10.45 am on the 
day of the AGM until its conclusion:

(a)  the register of Directors’ interests in the shares of the Company; and

(b)  copies  of  the  Executive  Directors’  service  contracts  with  the  Company  and  letters  of  appointment  of  the 

Non-Executive Directors. 

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Explanatory notes to the Special Business to be transacted at the meeting

RESOLUTION 6 - DIRECTORS’ POWER TO ALLOT RELEVANT SECURITIES

Resolution 6, which will be proposed as an ordinary resolution, grants the Directors authority to allot shares in the capital 
of the Company and other relevant securities up to an aggregate nominal value of £999,958, representing approximately 
one-third of the nominal value of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 13 June 2017, being the latest 
practicable  date  before  publication  of  this  Notice.  The  Directors  do  not  have  any  present  intention  of  exercising  the 
authorities conferred by this resolution but they consider it desirable that the specified amount of unissued share capital is 
available for issue so that they can more readily take advantage of possible opportunities in the future.

Unless revoked, varied or extended, this authority will expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the 
Company or the date falling 18 months from the passing of the resolution, whichever is the earlier.

RESOLUTION 7 - WAIVER OF STATUTORY PRE-EMPTION RIGHTS

Resolution  7,  which  will  be  proposed  as  a  special  resolution,  authorises  the  Directors  in  certain  circumstances  to  allot 
equity  securities  for  cash  other  than  in  accordance  with  statutory  pre-emption  rights  (which  require  a  company  to  offer 
all allotments for cash first to existing shareholders in proportion to their holdings). The relevant circumstances are either 
where the allotment takes place in connection with a rights issue or the allotment is limited to a maximum nominal amount 
of £149,994, representing approximately 5% of the nominal value of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 
13 June 2017, being the latest practicable date before publication of this Notice. Unless revoked, varied or extended, this 
authority will expire at the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company or 18 months after the passing of the resolution, 
whichever is the earlier.

The  Company  may  hold  any  shares  it  buys  back  “in  treasury”  and  then  sell  them  at  a  later  date  for  cash  rather  than 
simply cancelling them. Any such sales are required to be made on a pre-emptive, pro-rata basis to existing shareholders 
unless shareholders agree by special resolution to dis-apply such pre-emption rights. Accordingly, in addition to giving the 
Directors power to allot unissued ordinary shares on a non pre-emptive basis, resolution 7 will also give the Directors power 
to sell ordinary shares held in treasury on a non pre-emptive basis, subject always to the limitations noted above.

The Directors consider that the power proposed to be granted by resolution 7 is necessary to retain flexibility in relation to 
the management of the Company’s share capital, although they do not have any intention at the present time of exercising 
such power.

RESOLUTION 8 - AUTHORITY TO PURCHASE ORDINARY SHARES (MARKET PURCHASES)

Resolution 8, which will be proposed as a special resolution, authorises the Directors to make market purchases of up to 
2,999,873  ordinary  shares  (representing  approximately  5%  of  the  Company’s  issued  ordinary  shares  as  at  13  June  2017, 
being  the  latest  practicable  date  before  publication  of  this  Notice).  Shares  so  purchased  may  be  cancelled  or  held  as 
treasury shares as noted above. The authority will expire at the end of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company or 
18 months from the passing of the resolution, whichever is the earlier. The Directors intend to seek renewal of this authority 
at subsequent Annual General Meetings.

The minimum price that can be paid for an ordinary share is 5p, being the nominal value of an ordinary share. The maximum 
price that can be paid is 5% over the average of the middle market prices for an ordinary share, derived from the Daily 
Official List of the London Stock Exchange, for the five business days immediately before the day on which the share is 
contracted to be purchased.

The Directors intend to exercise this right only when, in light of the market conditions prevailing at the time and taking into 
account all relevant factors (for example, the effect on earnings per share), they believe that such purchases are in the best 
interests of the Company and shareholders generally. The overall position of the Company will be taken into account before 
deciding upon this course of action. The decision as to whether any such shares bought back will be cancelled or held in 
treasury will be made by the Directors on the same basis at the time of the purchase.

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Group five year summary

Year ended 31 March 2017

Results

Revenue

Operating profit

Profit before tax

2013
 £’000

2014
 £’000

2015
 £’000

2016
 £’000

2017
£’000

165,130

163,456

148,680

155,867

168,121

 25,531

 13,717

 1,700

 6,110

 7,107

 26,026

 14,014

 1,861

 6,217

 7,533

Profit/(loss) attributable to equity shareholders

 18,693

 8,602

 (1,392)

 2,685

 5,338

Loss attributable to non-controlling interests

 -

 -

 -

 -

 (348)

Assets employed

Non-current assets

Current assets

Current liabilities

Net assets

Key statistics

Earnings/(loss) per share

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share

 39,716

 71,789

43,296

70,768

47,355

62,539

 40,904

 69,159

36,667

78,584

(32,796)

(30,106)

(31,205)

(30,147)

(29,607)

 78,709

83,958

78,689

79,916

85,644

32.2p

32.0p

14.5p

14.5p

(2.3p)

(2.3p)

4.5p

4.5p

8.4p

8.4p

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Year ended 31 March 2017

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