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Mulberry Group Plc

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FY2018 Annual Report · Mulberry Group Plc
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Highlights

Year ended 31 March 2018

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

•  Profit  before  tax  from  existing  business*  up  36%  to  £11.3  million  (2017:  £8.3  million)  before  start  up  costs  of  

£2.0 million (2017: £0.8 million) and net operating expense of £2.4 million relating to new Asia subsidiaries

•  Reported profit before tax of £6.9 million (2017: £7.5 million)

•  Gross margin increased 185 basis points to 63.5%

•  Revenue up 1% to £169.7 million (2017: £168.1 million). Retail sales up 3%, with UK broadly flat and International 

up 20%. Digital up 14% rising to 17% of Group revenue (2017: 15%)

•  Cash of £25.1 million at the end of the year (2017: £21.1 million)

OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

•  International pace increased with new entities established in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan 

•  Store network in Asia enhanced with five new stores and two relocations

•  Extension of omni-channel services across the network and launch of partnership with Toplife in China

•  New products continue to gain momentum with a new bestseller, Amberley, established during the year

CURRENT TRADING AND OUTLOOK

•  New majority-owned business arrangement to develop the Korean market agreed with SHK 

•  Retail like-for-like sales down 7% for the 10 weeks to 2 June reflecting International up 1% and UK down 9%, due 

to lower footfall and fewer tourists, as more widely reported

* Existing business is defined as the UK, Europe, North America and Wholesale and excludes new entities in Asia.

TEN YEAR REVENUE REVIEW

180

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Mulberry Group plc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

Explanatory notes

Group five year summary

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Mulberry Group plcStrategic report

Year ended 31 March 2018

BUSINESS REVIEW

The Group made progress during the year with profit from its business in the UK, Europe, North America and Wholesale 
increasing by 36% to £11.3 million (2017: £8.3 million), reflecting a focus on new products and network optimisation.

A significant investment in new businesses in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan was undertaken with start up costs of 
£2.0 million (2017: £0.8 million) and a net store operating expense of £2.4 million incurred during the year. Due to these 
acquisitions and as a result of growth in North America and Europe, International sales have increased.

Reported profit before tax, after the new business costs relating to Asia, is £6.9 million (2017: £7.5 million).

The Group remains cash generative, with cash balances increased by £4.0 million to £25.1 million as at 31 March 2018.

Sales
Group revenue grew by 1% to £169.7 million (2017: £168.1 million). During the year, the Group focused on full price sales, 
new products and rolling out Digital and omni-channel enhancements across the global network.

Group Retail sales increased 3% to £132.0 million (2017: £128.3 million). Within this, UK Retail sales were broadly flat at 
£106.3 million (2017: £106.8 million), with a focus on improving margins. International Retail sales increased 20% to £25.7 
million (2017: £21.5 million) as new products gained momentum and some Wholesale accounts transitioned to own Retail.

UK Retail Sales*

International Retail Sales*

Group Retail Sales

Wholesale Sales

Group Total Sales

52 weeks to 
31-March 
2017 
(£ millions)

52 weeks to 
31-March 
2018 
(£ millions)

Total change 
(this year vs 
last year)

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

106.8

21.5

128.3

39.8

168.1

106.3

25.7

132.0

37.7

169.7

0%

+20%

+3%

–5%

+1%

–1%

+5%

 0%

n/a

n/a

*  Regional splits include Digital sales; Global Digital sales increased by 14% during the year to 31 March 2018.
†  Like-for-like is defined as the year-on-year change in sales from stores which have been trading for 12 months after the store opening.

Product
The Group continues to focus on creativity and innovation with new products gaining further momentum and replacing 
older lines. Several new women’s bag silhouettes were launched including the Bayswater Tote and Seaton, whilst the new 
Heritage bag family was introduced as part of the men’s range. In addition, animations of recently established silhouettes 
including Bayswater with Strap, Zipped Bayswater and Amberley were introduced.

The  Amberley  family  is  available  across  a  number  of  price  points  and  categories  and  is  proving  to  be  an  immediate 
bestseller.  The  distinctive  Rider’s  lock  has  also  been  introduced  across  other  categories  including  small  leather  goods, 
footwear and jewellery.

An Artisan Studio producing small runs of special editions for the UK and International markets was opened in Somerset 
and products introduced to selective locations.

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Mulberry Group plcStrategic report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2018

Digital and Omni-channel
Omni-channel services continued to be enhanced including the addition of functionality to purchase store stock online, 
same day delivery (including on click and collect orders) and the launch of local language mulberry.com sites in China and 
South Korea and local currency sites in Sweden and Denmark.

The  Group  engaged  in  a  number  of  digital  partnerships  in  addition  to  enhancing  its  own  mulberry.com  platform.  This 
included the launch of a partnership with Toplife, JD.com’s luxury digital platform in China, to sell Mulberry products.

Global Digital sales increased by 14% to £29.0 million (2017: £25.5 million), accounting for 17% of Group revenue (2017: 15%). 

Own Retail Store Network
There were 69 directly operated stores at the end of the year (2017: 67 stores). The international store network was enhanced 
and expanded with a focus on Asia:

•  Hong Kong: The store in Hong Kong was relocated within Harbour City to Ocean Centre and became part of 

Group Retail sales from April 2017.

•  China: A new store was opened in Shanghai Plaza 66 and the store in Beijing China World was relocated. The 
outlet store in Tianjin was acquired by Mulberry Asia in March 2018. These stores became part of the Group’s 
Retail sales from that date.

•  Taiwan:  The  store  in  Breeze  was  acquired  in  October  2017  and  became  part  of  the  Group’s  Retail  sales  from 

that date.

Selective Wholesale and Franchise
Wholesale revenue, comprising sales to partner stores and selective multi-brand wholesale accounts, reduced by 5% to 
£37.7 million (2017: £39.8 million) primarily due to the transition of China and Hong Kong to own Retail and preparation for 
a new business arrangement in South Korea.

New collections have been well received by the Group’s partners and wholesale accounts. 

The partner store network at the period end totalled 45 stores in Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East (2017: 50 stores).

Franchise partners closed 7 non-strategic stores in Asia Pacific. Four stores in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, which were 
open as at 31 March 2017, were transferred to the Group’s Retail portfolio as part of the new majority-owned subsidiary, 
Mulberry (Asia) Limited. 

In addition, 5 new stores were opened in Japan as part of the preparation phase for Mulberry Japan in collaboration with 
Onward Global Fashion. These stores have been acquired by Mulberry Japan following the end of the financial year ended 
31 March 2018 and were transferred to the Group’s Retail portfolio during May 2018.

Financial
The Group made progress during the year with profit from its business in the UK, Europe, North America and Wholesale 
increasing by 36% to £11.3 million (2017: £8.3 million), reflecting a focus on new products and network optimisation.

A significant investment in new businesses in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan was undertaken with start up costs of 
£2.0 million (2017: £0.8 million) and a net store operating expense of £2.4 million incurred during the year. Due to these 
acquisitions and as a result of growth in North America and Europe, International sales have increased.

The Group’s reported profit before tax was £6.9 million (2017: £7.5 million) after accounting for the costs relating to Asia 
(£4.4 million), non-cash store impairments £0.4 million (2017: £1.1 million) and other store closure costs of £0.7 million.

Gross margin for the year to 31 March 2018 increased to 63.5% (2017: 61.6%). The improvement in margin reflects a focus 
on full price sales and lower markdowns, driven by momentum of new products.

Operating expenses (net) increased to £101.0 million (2017: £96.5 million) primarily due to higher Retail store costs of £1.8 
million and increased marketing, advertising and promotion costs of £1.9 million.

The tax charge for the year was £2.0 million (2017: £2.5 million).

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018

Capital expenditure during the period was £5.4 million (2017: £5.3 million), including £3.0 million related to stores (including 
Digital), £1.0 million in IT systems and £0.7 million in factories.

Inventories at 31 March 2018 were £44.6 million (31 March 2017: £42.8 million) and reflect the acquisition of new businesses 
in Asia and an increase in components and leather to facilitate more responsive supply chain operations.

The Group’s cash balances increased by £4.0 million to £25.1 million as at 31 March 2018 (2017: £21.1 million) and the Group 
has no debt.

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 (2017: 
5.0p) which will be paid on 22 November 2018 to shareholders on the register at 26 October 2018.

South Korea new business
The Group has agreed with its long-standing partner, SHK Holdings Limited (“SHK”), to form a new majority-owned entity 
to operate its business in South Korea.

•  The  Group  will  own  60%  of  the  share  capital  of  a  newly  created  entity,  Mulberry  (Korea)  Co.,  Ltd  (‘Mulberry 

Korea’), with SHK owning the remaining 40%

•  Mulberry and SHK will together invest £4.6 million to purchase the assets and to develop the business

•  Current network consists of 18 points of sale including concessions, outlets and duty free

•  Korean mulberry.com site and omni-channel platform will form part of the new business

•  Mulberry Korea is expected to commence trading by Autumn 2018

•  The Group anticipates incremental costs of c.£3.0 million during the year ending 31 March 2019

Further details of the new entity arrangements can be found in the accompanying announcement on 
www.mulberry.com/investor-relations.

CURRENT TRADING AND OUTLOOK

Retail Sales
Like-for-like Retail sales (including Digital) were down 7% for the 10 weeks to 2 June 2018 with UK Retail down 9% and 
International Retail up 1%. Digital sales increased by 14% in the year to 31 March 2018 and increased by 5% in the 10 weeks 
to 2 June 2018.

This year vs last year (%)

UK Retail†

International Retail†

Group Retail Total

Retail like-for-like sales*
10 weeks 
52 weeks  
to 2-June 
to 31-March 
2018
2018

Retail total sales

52 weeks 
to 31-March 
2018

10 weeks 
to 2-June 
2018

–1%

+5%

0%

–9%

+1%

–7%

0%

+20%

+3%

–10%

+13%

–5%

*   Like-for-like is defined as the year-on-year change in sales from stores which have been trading for 12 months after the store opening. 
†  Regional splits include Digital sales.

UK
As has been widely reported, the UK retail environment has become more challenging with lower domestic footfall and a 
reduction in tourists to the UK since January 2018.

It is noted that House of Fraser has announced its intention to enter a Company Voluntary Arrangement (‘CVA’) during June 
2018. The Group operates 21 concessions and has amounts due from House of Fraser in relation to current trade. Under 
the CVA proposal, five existing Mulberry concessions would be closed.

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Mulberry Group plcStrategic report (continued)

International
The Group will continue to invest in international development.

Retail sales during the financial year ending 31 March 2019 will reflect a full year of trading for Mulberry Asia, comprising 
China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, after a transition from Wholesale to Retail during the financial year ended 31 March 2018. 

The set up of Mulberry Japan was completed during May 2018. Five stores have been transferred to Mulberry Japan and 
revenue will transition from Wholesale to Retail from that date.

In  South  Korea,  the  new  business  arrangement  with  SHK  marks  an  important  milestone  in  the  Group’s  international 
development strategy. The transfer of the business to Mulberry Korea is expected to be complete by Autumn 2018. This 
will reduce the Group’s Wholesale revenue and increase Retail revenue. Initial start up costs of c.£3.0 million are anticipated 
for the financial year ending 31 March 2019.

In relation to the store network, a new store was opened in Xian, China during April 2018 and in Europe and North America, 
the Group continues to focus on Digital and omni-channel enhancement.

The Group anticipates that International sales will continue to increase as a proportion of Group sales.

Digital and Omni-channel
The Group will continue to invest in its Digital and omni-channel offering with further enhancements planned.

In Digital, mulberry.com sites with additional customer experiences are due to launch in China, Japan and Australia.

Selective Wholesale and Franchise
The Group signed a new franchise agreement with Luxury Retail Group to develop the brand in Australia. This will allow 
the Group to focus its regional resources on developing North Asia, Japan and South Korea whilst leveraging the local 
expertise of the new partner.

Capital Expenditure
A new design concept for the Group’s stores will be revealed with the new Regent Street store planned for Summer 2018. 
A  roll  out  across  the  global  store  network  is  expected  to  commence  during  2019  which  will  lead  to  increased  capital 
expenditure during the current financial year and in coming years.

Capital  expenditure  for  the  full  year  ending  31  March  2019  is  expected  to  be  in  the  region  of  £12.0  million  (2018:  £5.4 
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 650 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 114 stores in 23 countries (69 directly operated, 45 partner), the brand’s digital site (mulberry.com) 
and selected wholesale partners.

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Digital is a core 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 are fulfilled from the US distribution centre. Omni-
channel functionality, which includes in-store digital ordering, in-store collection of digital orders (Click & Collect), same day 
delivery within central London 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,  Eire,  continental  Europe,  North  America  and  Asia.  In  Scandinavia,  Mulberry  has  long-standing  partners  who  run  
10 stores in those markets. Partners also run Mulberry stores in Asia (24 stores), the Middle East (two 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
Innovation  and  creativity  are  central  to  the  Group’s  customer-led  product  strategy  which  focuses  on  anticipating  the 
evolving needs of its existing and aspirational customers. This is supported by the Group’s integrated marketing approach 
which aims to drive engagement and relevance with its customers.

Leather goods are the core commercial focus, with the intention to continue to develop and build on recent strong launches 
with a continued refinement and enhancement of core and new ranges. This approach includes a steady pace of evolution 
of key icons as well as the introduction of new signatures. An example of this is the ‘Rider’s lock’, which was launched as a 
key feature of the Amberley bag range and subsequently has been applied to other designs.

Over the longer term, the objective is to reinforce Mulberry’s lifestyle brand positioning by strengthening complementary 
categories  to  its  core  leather  goods  ranges.  These  categories  are  men’s  leather  goods,  footwear,  ready-to-wear,  soft 
accessories and jewellery.

Marketing and Brand
Mulberry continues to invest in building a global brand, 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 new and traditional formats with extensive use of digital, mobile and 
social media. Digital continues to take the highest share of all media investment.

The Group recently adopted a new format of its seasonal collection launches to reinforce its customer-centric business 
strategy and enhance the customer experience. After holding previews of the Spring Summer 2018 collection to international 
press and buyers in Paris, the collection was publicly unveiled during February 2018 during London Fashion Week and 
offered an instantly shoppable, real-time global consumer experience. The shift to a customer event format will enable the 
Group to continue to drive engagement and increase relevance with its customers and meet the demand for immediacy. 

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

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Strategic report (continued)

Retail, Digital and Omni-channel
The Group operates a direct to customer retail model through its international store network and Digital and omni-channel 
platform. 

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 strategic territories, including China, Hong Kong, Australia and South Korea.

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.

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

Manufacturing
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. 

A specialist Artisan Studio has been created within each of the two Somerset factories, showcasing the Group’s distinctive 
British craftsmanship on special and limited edition products. This enables the Group to promote key events and develop 
its Made to Order programme whilst demonstrating its ability to balance a structured production process with high levels 
of artisan skill.

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018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 outlined below.

Risk

Potential impact

Mitigation

Economic climate 
The  Group  may  be  impacted  by  the 
wider global economic climate. 

A significant amount of Mulberry sales 
are  generated  in  the  UK.  A  decline 
in  the  UK  economy  which  reduced 
consumer spending on luxury goods 
could materially affect trading results 
and cash flows. 

The  Group’s  strategy  to  increase  the 
proportion of sales from international 
markets  is  expected  to  reduce  this 
risk over time.

Individual market performance 
With the strategic goal of international 
expansion,  there  is  a  risk  that  new 
markets  will  not  develop  in  line  with 
expectations. 

Should 
international  markets  not 
grow  in  line  with  plans,  they  may 
represent a draw on cash reserves.

Cash 
The  management  of  cash 
is  of 
fundamental  importance  in  ensuring 
the  Group’s  ability  to  pay  its  ongoing 
commitments 
and 
employees. 

suppliers 

to 

In the event of a significant downturn 
in trading or the effects of seasonality, 
the  Group’s  cash  facilities  may  be 
insufficient. 

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. 

If  Sterling  weakens  against  the  Euro 
and  US  Dollar  there  is  a  consequent 
increase  in  raw  materials  bought  in 
foreign currency which increases cost 
of sales. However, revenues earned in 
foreign currency also appreciate when 
Sterling  weakens  from  revaluation 
gain  creating  some  natural  currency 
hedge.

Management prepares and maintains  
a  comprehensive  business  plan  for 
each  individual  market.  Variations  to 
the  business  plan  are  reviewed  and 
approved by senior management on 
a regular basis.

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 2019. In addition, the Group has 
a  £7.5  million  revolving  credit  facility 
until  31  October  2018,  with  HSBC 
expressing  interest  to  extend  these 
facilities.  As  such,  the  Group  is  on  a 
firm  financial  footing  and  confident 
of  its  ability  to  continue  as  a  going 
concern.

A  treasury  policy  which  incorporates 
a  hedging 
strategy  has  been 
implemented  to  manage  the  risk  of 
exchange rate volatility.

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9

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Strategic report (continued)

Risk

Potential impact

Mitigation

Brand and Competition 
The  Group  operates  in  the  luxury 
fashion  sector  and  is  subject  to  a  risk 
of  change  in  fashions  and  demand 
is  risk  of 
for 
potential  deterioration  in  the  Group’s 
luxury  brand  position  compared  to 
competitors, or difficulty in establishing 
brand awareness in new markets.

its  products.  There 

pressures, 

Competitive 
changes 
in  luxury  fashion  trends  and  hence 
consumer demand are continuing risks. 

Key employees 
The  Group’s  success  is  dependent 
to  a  certain  extent  on  the  continued 
services  of  its  Directors  and  senior 
management  who  have  substantial 
experience  in  their  specific  roles  in 
operation  of  and  management  of  the 
business. 

Such  a  deterioration  would  lead  to 
a  loss  of  customers,  which  would 
negatively impact sales and profits. 

The Group makes ongoing investment 
into product development, marketing, 
retail estate and the digital experience. 
These are all key to maintaining brand 
position,  along  with  the  opening  of 
flagship  stores 
in  strategic  global 
locations,  and  maintaining  strong 
relations with customers.

Loss  of  key  members  of  the  senior 
management team or other qualified 
employees  could  be  detrimental  to 
the business.

This  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 
in  place 
followed  by  a  detailed  handover 
period where possible.

is 

Cyber risks and IT systems 
The integrity of the Group’s IT systems 
and operational infrastructure is critical 
to its operations.

There  is  a  risk  that  the  business’s 
ability to sell and deliver its products 
would  be  adversely  impacted  in  the 
event of a significant IT failure.

A  number  of  controls  are  in  place 
which  would  be  implemented  in  the 
event of a major failure. IT security is 
continually reviewed and updated. 

Cyber crime represents an increasing 
risk through threat of deletion, theft, 
disruption or integrity of data, which 
could  also  result 
in  reputational 
damage. 

UK production 
The  proportion  of  products  being 
made  in  Mulberry’s  own  UK  based 
factories has increased to 50% over the 
last 5 years.

There  is  a  risk  that  the  Group  gross 
margin  may  be  diluted  due 
to 
currency  risk  and  the  higher  relative 
cost of UK manufacturing.

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.

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018 
 
Risk

Potential impact

Mitigation

Terrorist activity or major 
incident 
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. 

Trademarks 
As  with  all  brands,  the  Group 
is 
exposed to risk from unauthorised use 
of  the  Group’s  trademarks  and  other 
intellectual property (‘IP’). 

Concessions within House of 
Fraser stores
Mulberry 
concession 
operates 
stores  within  House  of  Fraser,  who 
have  announced  their 
intention  to 
proceed  with  a  Company  Voluntary 
Arrangement (‘CVA’) in June 2018. This 
could result in a number of their stores 
closing  and  in  the  recoverability  of 
amounts due to the Group in the event 
of insolvency.

UK decision to leave the 
European Union 
Until  any  clear  proposals  with  regard 
to  transitional  rules  and  the  terms  of 
an  exit  plan  are  announced  by  the 
UK  Government,  there  is  uncertainty 
about  the  longer  term  implications  of 
Brexit for the Group.

This  may  lead  to  a  significant  fall 
in  footfall,  or  potential  closure  of  a 
store, or a loss of IT systems. 

The Group has developed a business 
continuity plan to mitigate the impact, 
as well as making sure that adequate 
business insurance is in place.

Any  infringement  of  the  Group’s  IP 
could  lead  to  a  loss  of  profits  and 
have a negative impact on image.

Trademarks are registered and where 
any 
identified, 
infringements  are 
appropriate legal action is taken.

In the event that the CVA progresses, 
and  the  store  closure  plans  are 
enacted,  the  Group  would  close  5 
affected  concessions,  and  lose  the 
associated revenues. 

In  the  event  of  failure  of  House  of 
Fraser, the Group would be exposed 
to some credit risk. 

The  Group  has  requested  shorter 
payment terms to limit credit risk.

loss  of 

Some  potential 
revenue 
from  closed  concessions  would  be 
redeployed to other House of Fraser 
and Mulberry stores. 

risks 
leave 

following 
the 
The  primary 
decision 
the  European 
to 
Union are uncertainty in UK consumer 
confidence  and  the  implications  of 
any changes to duty and the ability to 
freely move goods across borders for 
the purposes of production and sale 
of goods.

The  economic  implications  resulting 
from  the  impact  of  Brexit  are  largely 
beyond  the  control  of  the  Group, 
however,  the  strategy  to  expand 
internationally will reduce the impact 
of uncertainty in the domestic market. 

The  Group  will  continue  to  maintain 
an  open  dialogue  regarding  the 
impact  of  Brexit  with  key  suppliers, 
stakeholders 
professional 
and 
advisors.

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11

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic report (continued)

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 650 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 charities are selected by employees for the Group to support. For the year under review 
these  were  Time  is  Precious,  a  South  West  based  charity  who  provide  a  more  comfortable  environment  for 
children spending long periods in hospital due to illness or disability, and Shelter from the Storm, providing free 
shelter and support for homeless people in London. 

General Data Protection Regulation (‘GDPR’)
The Group takes its responsibility in handling an individual’s data seriously. The security and use of data is discussed at 
Board level and the Group is compliant with relevant legislation and acts in a manner in keeping with the high expectations 
of our staff and customers.

Gender Pay
We are proud of our diverse workforce and believe fair and equal reward is vital to our success as an international luxury 
fashion business. Full details of our gender pay report for 2016/17 can be found on our website.

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 2018

12

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Directors:

Registered Office:

Directors, secretary and advisers

Godfrey Pawle Davis FCA

Thierry Patrick Andretta

Neil James Ritchie FCA

Andrew Christopher (Chris) Roberts FCCA

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: 

Nominated Broker:

Registered Auditor:

Solicitors:

Principal Bankers:

Altium Capital Limited

London

Barclays Bank PLC

London

Deloitte LLP

Bristol

Osborne Clarke

Bristol

HSBC Bank plc

Bristol

Registrars:

Computershare Investor Services PLC

PO Box 82

The Pavilions

Bridgwater Road

Bristol

BS99 7NH

13

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Corporate governance

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. 

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 12 months’ 
notice. The Non-Executive Directors provide their services under 12 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.

14

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Directors’ remuneration report

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 12 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 four 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 
intended 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. There were no granted, lapsed 
or exercised share options under this Plan during the year.

15

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Directors’ remuneration report (continued)

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.

A Long Term Incentive Plan, adopted on 19 December 2012 as the Mulberry Group plc Long Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’) and 
amended and renamed on 10 July 2017 as the Mulberry Group plc 2017 Performance Share Plan. This plan was designed 
and  introduced  by  the  Remuneration  Committee  to  align  management  and  shareholders’  interests  through  rewarding 
participants for growth in Mulberry’s revenue and profit before interest and tax (‘PBIT’) above specified thresholds over 
the vesting period. The performance conditions are split equally between revenue growth and PBIT growth compared to 
targets set in the plan’s performance conditions. The vesting period is typically three years from the date of grant of options.

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(2)

£’000

2018
Total
 £’000

2017
Total
£’000

Executive Directors
Thierry Andretta (1)

Neil Ritchie

Non-Executive Directors

Godfrey Davis

Chris Roberts

Steven Grapstein

Melissa Ong

Christophe Cornu

Julie Gilhart

622

235

200

50

45

45

45

45

300

80

318

13

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1

–

1

1

4

10

10

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,250

338

1,005

266

200

200

51

45

46

46

49

51

45

48

45

46

1,287

380

338

20

2,025

1,706

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 

Director until that date. 

(2) Pension contributions are paid into defined contribution schemes.

16

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018 
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

Thierry Andretta (1)

Thierry Andretta (2)

Neil Ritchie (2)

31 March 
2017

230,415

70,000

24,500

Granted

Exercised

31 March 
2018

Exercise 
price (£) 

Date of 
exercise 

–

–

–

–

–

–

230,415

70,000

24,500

8.680

10.342

10.342

n/a

n/a

n/a

Average 
market 
price on 
exercise 
(£)

n/a

n/a

n/a

Notes:
(1)  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.

(2)  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.

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

31 March 
2017

Granted

Exercised

31 March 
2018

Exercise 
price (£) 

Date of 
exercise 

Average 
market 
price on 
exercise 
(£)

Godfrey Davis

300,000

–

–

300,000

1.458

n/a

n/a

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 £1.215. 

(c) Options granted under the 2017 Performance Share Plan

31 March 
2017

Granted

Lapsed

31 March 
2018

Exercise 
price (£) 

Thierry Andretta

Neil Ritchie

–

–

200,000

50,000

–

–

200,000

50,000

nil

nil

For the options granted on 10 July 2017, the market price on the date of grant was £9.89 and may be exercised after the 
Group’s financial results for the financial year ended 31 March 2020 have been announced, and up to 10 years from the date 
of grant, upon attainment of the relevant performance conditions. 

Share price information
The market price of Mulberry Group plc ordinary shares at 31 March 2018 was £7.74 (2017: £10.85) and the range during the 
year was £7.00 to £11.49 (2017: £9.75 to £11.50).

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17

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Directors’ report

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 2018.

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 5.0p per ordinary share (2017: 5.0p) to be paid on 22 November 2018 to ordinary shareholders on the register 
on 26 October 2018.

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 2019, and 
a revolving credit facility of £7.5 million available until October 2018. The Group’s principal bank, HSBC, has indicated its 
willingness to increase the revolving credit facility at that time. 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,  61,  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, Kering, LVMH Fashion Group and Céline, and was Chief Executive of Buccellati. He is a director (gérant) 
of SCI TMLS and was a non-executive director of Acne Studios Holding AB (until March 2017). Mr Andretta has extensive 
experience across the luxury sector, with particular focus on international expansion.

Neil Ritchie FCA, 47, 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. Mr Ritchie has broad operational experience in relation 
to  supply  chain  and  business  start-ups,  with  extensive  financial  experience  across  performance  management,  taxation 
strategy and treasury matters.

Non-Executive Directors
Godfrey Davis FCA, 69, 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, King’s Schools Taunton Limited and Hestercombe Gardens Limited, KST 
International Limited (appointed 26 August 2015) and a trustee of Hestercombe Gardens Trust. Mr Davis is an experienced 
leader  of  private  and  publicly  owned  entities  and  has  a  strong  understanding  of  the  UK  AIM  market.  He  has  a  deep 
knowledge of the leather goods sector accumulated over many years of experience in the industry.

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Andrew Christopher Roberts FCCA, 54, 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. Mr Roberts has a broad experience of international property markets, the 
branded luxury hospitality sector and global financial markets.

Steven  Grapstein  CPA,  60,  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 serves on the Board of Directors of Urban 
Edge, a US publicly listed company on the New York Stock Exchange, and is the Chairman of the Governance Committee 
and a member of the Audit committee. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of David Yurman corp., a 
privately held US entity and creator of luxury jewellery and time pieces where he is Chairman of the Audit Committee and 
a member 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. Mr Grapstein has extensive knowledge of the North American retail market and is experienced in corporate 
finance and US capital markets.

Melissa  Ong,  44,  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. Ms Ong is highly experienced in the 
luxury hospitality sector and brings insight into the Asian market. Her knowledge of relevant technology and application to 
digital and social media marketing is valuable in relation to enhancing the luxury customer experience.

Christophe Cornu, 54, was appointed on 7 May 2013 and is an independent Director. With effect from 1 July 2018 he will 
be  CEO  of  Nestlé  France  SA,  having  previously  served  as  CEO  of  Nestlé  Suisse  SA  and  Chief  Commercial  Officer  for 
Nestlé Nespresso SA. Mr Cornu is an experienced marketing leader with a track record of developing major brands and 
breakthrough  concepts.  He  is  consumer  focused,  with  a  complete  view  from  brand  purpose  development  through  to 
marketing execution, and provides valuable insight and challenge on brand and marketing related issues.

Julie Gilhart, 60, 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. 
She is a respected leader within the fashion sector with a history of finding talent and advising and developing growth 
of businesses. Her expertise relates to the emerging customer, social trends and adaptation of business models to future 
requirements including focus on sustainability.

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 
2018

5p ordinary 
shares
2017

718,527

10,000

10,000

718,527

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.

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Directors’ report

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDINGS

At  31  March  2018  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:

Name of holder

Challice Limited (1)

Banque Havilland SA

Tybourne Capital Management (HK) Limited (2)

Percentage of 
voting rights and 
issued share capital

No. of ordinary 
shares

Nature of holding

56.19%

24.30%

11.00%

33,726,444 Controlling shareholder

14,585,720

6,602,240

Investor

Investor

(1) Challice Limited is controlled by Mr Ong Beng Seng and Mrs Christina Ong. 
(2) Notification was made when the shareholding of Tybourne Capital Management (HK) Limited exceeded 11.0%.

At 12 June 2018 the interest held by Tybourne Capital Management (HK) Limited was 6,621,789 ordinary shares representing 
11.03% of the voting rights and issued share capital. There were no changes in the interests held by Challice Limited and 
Banque Havilland SA.

The Group is party to, and has complied with, a relationship agreement with Challice Limited which includes undertakings 
that transactions and relationships will be conducted on an arm’s length basis on normal commercial terms. 

MOVEMENT IN THE COMPANY’S OWN SHAREHOLDING

Please refer to notes 25 and 26.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

The Group has signed an agreement with SHK Holdings Limited (‘SHK’) to form a new majority-owned entity to operate its 
business in Korea, which is expected to start trading by Autumn 2018. For further details please refer to the Strategic report.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Please refer to note 35.

BRANCHES

The Group operates branches, as defined in s1046(3) of the Companies Act 2006, in Eire, Netherlands and Taiwan. 

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 2018 and through to the date of this 
report.

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018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 £71,000 (2017: £64,000) 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 32.

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 reappoint them will be proposed 
at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

By order of the Board.

Neil Ritchie
Director
13 June 2018

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21

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Directors’ responsibilities statement

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 2018 and is signed on its behalf by:

Thierry Andretta 
Chief Executive 

Neil Ritchie
Chief Financial Officer

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Independent auditor’s report

To the members of Mulberry Group plc

REPORT ON THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

OPINION

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 2018 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

•  the  Group  financial  statements  have  been  properly  prepared  in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting 

Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union; 

•  the Parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards  (United  Kingdom  Generally  Accepted  Accounting  Practices)  including  FRS  101  ‘Reduced  Disclosure 
Framework’; and

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

We have audited the financial statements of Mulberry Group plc (the ‘Parent Company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) 
which comprise:

•  the consolidated income statement;

•  the consolidated statement of comprehensive income;

•  the consolidated and Parent Company balance sheets;

•  the consolidated and Parent Company statements of changes in equity;

•  the consolidated cash flow statement; and

•  the related notes 1 to 48.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Group financial statements is applicable 
law and 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, including FRS 
101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

BASIS FOR OPINION

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our 
responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements section of our report. 

We are independent of the Group and the Parent Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant 
to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to listed entities, and we 
have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence 
we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

SUMMARY OF OUR AUDIT APPROACH

Key audit matters

The key audit matters that we identified in the current year were:

•  Impairment of property, plant and equipment in loss making stores; and

•  Accounting for acquisitions.

Materiality

The  materiality  that  we  used  for  the  Group  financial  statements  was  £890,000  which  was 
determined on a combination of benchmarks used by stakeholders in the business.

Scoping

Materiality represents 0.5% of revenue and 1% of net assets. 

Based on our assessment, we identified two components which, in our view, required full scope 
audit of their financial information in order to ensure sufficient appropriate audit evidence was 
obtained. Our full scope audit covered 94% of Group revenue, 82% of Group profit before tax* 
and 86% of Group net assets*. 

*  Percentages  are  disclosed  on  an  absolute  basis  to  give  an  appropriate  indication  of  the  contribution  and  size  of  the 

component to the Group as a whole.

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Mulberry Group plcIndependent auditor’s report (continued)

CONCLUSIONS RELATING TO GOING CONCERN 
We are required by ISAs (UK) to report in respect of the following matters where:

•  the Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in preparation of the 

financial statements is not appropriate; or 

•  the  Directors  have  not  disclosed  in  the  financial  statements  any  identified 
material  uncertainties  that  may  cast  significant  doubt  about  the  Group’s  or 
the Parent Company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting for a period of at least 12 months from the date when the financial 
statements are authorised for issue.

We have nothing to report in 
respect of these matters. 

KEY AUDIT MATTERS

Key  audit  matters  are  those  matters  that,  in  our  professional  judgement,  were  of  most  significance  in  our  audit  of  the 
financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether 
or not due to fraud) that we identified. These matters included those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit 
strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team.

These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion 
thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Impairment of property, plant and equipment in loss making stores

Key audit matter 
description 

The Group owns store fixtures and fittings with a net book value of £6.6 million (2017: £8.3 
million) and has recognised an impairment charge of £0.4 million (2017: £0.9 million) against 
these assets. 

How the scope of our 
audit responded to the 
key audit matter

Certain overseas stores within the Group generate operating losses and accordingly there is 
a risk that the in-store fixed assets are impaired.

We  have  identified  a  key  audit  matter  around  key  assumptions  applied  in  management’s 
impairment model which require a significant degree of judgement; specifically the discount 
rate and the revenue growth assumptions.

Certain stores are designated flagship stores, and incur losses due to their higher operating 
costs. We have identified a key audit matter around the identification of flagship stores and 
identification of indicators of impairment in association with flagship stores. 

Impairment of property, plant and equipment is included as an area of critical judgement in 
note 4 to the financial statements. The net book value of store fixtures and fittings and the 
impairment charge for the year is disclosed in note 17. 

We have performed the following procedures around this key audit matter:

•  Assessed the design and implementation of relevant controls around management’s process 
for determining the key assumptions that require judgement, that being the discount rate 
and the projected revenue growth over the impairment review period for retail stores and 
designation of stores as flagship stores. 

•  Used  internal  valuation  specialists  to  challenge  the  reasonableness  of  the  discount  rate 

used by management. 

•  Challenged the revenue growth assumptions using supporting evidence such as historical 
growth rates and growth rates of luxury retail goods. Used this data to develop independent 
valuations  for  the  discounted  cash  flows  using  independent  data  on  discount  rate  and 
revenue growth rate

•  Assessed the historical accuracy of revenue forecasts prepared by management.

•  Challenged management’s review for indicators of impairment on flagship stores. 

Key observations

We were satisfied that management’s judgements in respect of impairment of property, plant 
and equipment in loss making stores and the Group’s flagship stores is considered reasonable 
and the net book value of these assets are appropriately stated.

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Accounting for acquisitions

Key audit matter 
description 

How the scope of our 
audit responded to the 
key audit matter

In the year the Group made two acquisitions: 

•  On  3  April  2017  the  Group  invested  £2.0  million  in  60%  of  a  newly  incorporated  entity, 
Mulberry (Asia) Limited, with Challice Limited (a related party) investing the remaining 40%. 
This company acquired four stores, from the previous Mulberry distributor in this location, 
Club 21, to operate the Mulberry business in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. 

•  On 4 December 2017 the Group entered into an agreement to buy 50% of Mulberry Japan 
Co.  Limited,  a  newly  incorporated  entity,  with  Onward  Global  Fashion  Co.  acquiring  the 
remaining 50%. The Group invested £1.3 million in equity shares and £0.3 million in the form 
of a loan note. 

We have identified a key audit matter around the following: 

•  Determining the fair value of the assets acquired by Mulberry (Asia) Limited when the four 

stores were acquired. 

•  Determining if the results of Mulberry Japan Co. Limited should be fully consolidated into 

the Mulberry Group plc results for the year ended 31 March 2018. 

Individual  market  performance  and  international  expansion  is  included  as  a  principal  risk 
in  the  Strategic  report  on  page  11.  Accounting  for  business  combinations  and  the  basis  for 
consolidation of entities which are controlled by the Group are included the accounting policies 
in note 3 and the results associated with the acquisitions in the year are shown in note 34.

We have performed the following procedures around this key audit matter:

•  Assessed the design and implementation of relevant controls applied by management in 

respect of acquisition accounting. 

•  Reviewed  and  challenged  management’s  position  to  support  the  accounting  treatment 
applied  for  each  transaction  by  reference  to  the  requirements  of  IFRS  3  Business 
Combinations, and IFRS 10 Consolidated financial statements. 

•  Inspected any sale purchase agreements and supporting contracts that were signed in the 

period to validate the terms of each transaction. 

•  Where  applicable,  tested,  on  a  sample  basis,  the  fair  value  of  assets  acquired  back  to 

supporting evidence. 

Key observations

We were satisfied that management’s judgements in respect of accounting for acquisitions 
are considered reasonable and the accounting and disclosures for the acquisitions made in 
the year are appropriately stated. 

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25

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Independent auditor’s report (continued)

OUR APPLICATION OF MATERIALITY

We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it probable that the economic 
decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable person would be changed or influenced. We use materiality both in planning the 
scope of our audit work and in evaluating the results of our work. 

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Group financial statements

Parent company financial statements

Materiality

£890,000

£756,500

Basis for 
determining 
materiality

The basis for determining materiality has taken 
into account key drivers of the business such as 
revenue, income before tax and net assets. 

The basis for determining materiality has taken 
into account the net assets of the Company and 
also the Group materiality set. 

The determined materiality equates to 0.5% of 
revenue and 1.0% of net assets. 

The determined materiality equates to 2.2% of 
the Parent Company’s net assets. 

Rationale for 
the benchmark 
applied

This approach has been taken to consider 
a balanced portfolio of benchmarks used 
by stakeholders in the business. A balanced 
portfolio approach has been used to take into 
account the ongoing expansion in overseas 
markets. 

The Parent Company is a holding company, 
which does not trade. It has therefore been 
considered that a materiality determined on 
net assets is the most appropriate basis for an 
investment holding entity. 

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to the Committee all audit differences in excess of £40,000 for 
the Group, as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. We 
also report to the Audit Committee on disclosure matters that we identified when assessing the overall presentation of the 
financial statements.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE SCOPE OF OUR AUDIT

The scope of the Group audit is as follows:

•  Full scope audit performed by the Group audit team for the UK and US components; 

•  Analytical review procedures performed to component materiality by the Group audit team for components in Europe 

(excluding the UK), Canada and Asia; and 

•  Audit of the consolidation. 

Component materialities, excluding Parent Company materiality, were capped at £756,500, giving the range £445,000 to 
£756,500.

The scoping decisions made provide the following coverage of revenue, income before tax and net assets across the Group. 

•  Full scope audit – 94% revenue, 82% profit before tax* and 86% net assets* 

•  Analytical review procedures - 6% revenue, 18% profit before tax* and 14% net assets*

* Percentages are disclosed on an absolute basis to give an appropriate indication of the contribution and size of the component to the Group as a whole.

26

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018 
OTHER INFORMATION

The Directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises 
the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our 
auditor’s report thereon.

We have nothing to report in 
respect of these matters.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except 
to  the  extent  otherwise  explicitly  stated  in  our  report,  we  do  not  express  any  form  of 
assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the 
other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially 
inconsistent  with  the  financial  statements  or  our  knowledge  obtained  in  the  audit  or 
otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If  we  identify  such  material  inconsistencies  or  apparent  material  misstatements,  we  are 
required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements 
or  a  material  misstatement  of  the  other  information.  If,  based  on  the  work  we  have 
performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, 
we are required to report that fact.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS

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, and for such internal control as the Directors 
determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether 
due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s and the Parent Company’s 
ability  to  continue  as  a  going  concern,  disclosing  as  applicable,  matters  related  to  going  concern  and  using  the  going 
concern basis of accounting unless the Directors either intend to liquidate the Group or the Parent Company or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

USE OF OUR REPORT

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.

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27

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Independent auditor’s report (continued)

REPORT ON OTHER LEGAL AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

OPINIONS 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.

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

MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION

Adequacy of explanations received and accounting records

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

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

•  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.

Directors’ remuneration

We have nothing to report in 
respect of these matters.

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are also required to report if in our opinion certain 
disclosures of Directors’ remuneration have not been made.

We have nothing to report in 
respect of these matters.

Delyth Jones (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP
Statutory Auditor
Bristol, United Kingdom
13 June 2018

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018 
Group income statement

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

Store closure costs

Adjusted Profit before tax – non-GAAP measure

Adjusted basic earnings per share

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

29

Note

 5

7

5

19

11

12

13

2018
 £’000

169,718

(62,000)

107,718

(101,464)

482

6,736

114

96

(29)

6,917

(2,011)

2017
£’000

168,121

(64,535)

103,586

(96,961)

482

7,107

148

295

(17)

7,533

(2,543)

4,906

4,990

6,391

(1,485)

5,338

(348)

4,906

4,990

15

15

8.3p

8.2p

8.4p

8.4p

2018
 £’000

6,917

378

675

7,970

10.0p

10.0p

2017
£’000

7,533

1,087

–

8,620

10.2p

10.2p

7

7

15

15

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Group statement of comprehensive income

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

2018 
£’000

4,906

(447)

(115)

107

2017
£’000

4,990

1,803

(5)

(361)

4,451

6,427

6,031

(1,580)

6,775

(348)

4,451

6,427

3 0

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Group balance sheet

At 31 March 2018

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

Cash flow hedge reserve

Foreign exchange reserve

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to holders of the parent

Non-controlling interests

Note

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

16

17

19

23

20

21

21

24

25

26

26

26

26

10,362

21,971

306

1,782

10,833

24,136

198

1,500

34,421

36,667

44,647

15,196

25,071

42,822

14,669

21,093

84,914

78,584

119,335

115,251

(30,199)

(893)

(28,350)

(1,257)

(31,092)

(29,607)

88,243

85,644

3,001

11,961

(1,388)

154

(98)

701

73,165

87,496

747

3,000

11,961

(1,461)

154

(5)

1,063

69,957

84,669

975

Total equity

88,243

85,644

The financial statements of Mulberry Group plc (company number 01180514) were approved by the Board of Directors and 
authorised for issue on 13 June 2018.

They were signed on its behalf by:

Thierry Andretta 
Director 

Neil Ritchie
Director

31

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Mulberry Group plcGroup statement of changes in equity

Share 

Own 

Capital 

Cash flow 

Foreign 

Non-

Share

premium 

share 

redemption 

hedge 

exchange 

Retained 

controlling 

Total 

capital 

account

reserve

reserve 

reserve

reserve

earnings

£’000

£’000

 £’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

Total

£’000

interests

£’000

equity

£’000

Balance at 1 April 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 
interests

Dividends paid

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

13

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Balance at 31 March 2017 3,000

11,961

(1,461)

154

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income 
for the year

Total comprehensive income 
for the year

Issue of share capital

Charge for employee share-
based payments

Exercise of share options

Own shares

Adjustment arising from 
movement in non-controlling 
interests

Dividends paid

–

–

–

1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

73

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(379)

66,654

79,916

–

4,990

4,990

(5)

1,442

–

1,437

(5)

1,442

4,990

6,427

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

79,916

4,990

1,437

6,427

1,086

(153)

13

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

4,906

(455)

4,451

1

291

(505)

73

–

–

–

–

–

(5)

–

1,086

1,086

(153)

(153)

–

13

–

–

–

–

–

348

348

975

1,323

(2,968)

(2,968)

 –

(2,968)

1,063

69,957

84,669

975

85,644

–

4,906

4,906

(93)

(362)

–

(455)

(93)

(362)

4,906

4,451

–

1

291

291

(505)

(505)

–

73

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,485

1,485

(228)

1,257

(2,969)

(2,969)

–

(2,969)

Balance at 31 March 2018

3,001

11,961

(1,388)

154

(98)

701

73,165

87,496

747

88,243

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Group cash flow statement

Operating profit for the year

Adjustments for:

Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment 

Amortisation of intangible assets

Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment

Share-based payments charge

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital

(Increase)/decrease in inventories

Increase in receivables

Increase in payables

Cash generated from operations

Income taxes paid

Interest paid

 2018
 £’000

2017
£’000

6,736

7,107

6,124

1,796

13

291

14,960

(464)

(2,059)

1,571

14,008

(2,553)

(29)

8,763

1,852

325

1,086

19,133

2,344

(2,326)

168 

19,319

(4,021)

(17)

Net cash inflow from operating activities

11,426

15,281

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

Acquisition of subsidiary (see note 34)

Investment from non-controlling interests

Net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities:

Dividends paid

Proceeds on issue of shares

Increase in related party loan

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

96

–

(4,689)

53

(1,605)

(1,629)

2,675

232

195

(4,409)

40

(962)

–

–

(5,099)

(4,904)

(2,969)

1

1,385

(505)

(2,968)

–

–

(153)

(2,088)

(3,121)

4,239

7,256

21,093

(261)

14,014

(177)

25,071

21,093

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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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements 

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Mulberry Group plc is a public company, limited by shares, incorporated in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act, 
and is registered in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is given on page 13. 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

In  the  current  year  the  Group  has  applied  a  number  of  amendments  to  IFRSs  issued  by  the  International  Accounting 
Standards Board (IASB) that are mandatorily effective for an accounting period that begins on or after 1 January 2017. Their 
adoption has not had any material impact on the disclosures or on the amounts reported in these financial statements.

Amendments to IAS 7: Disclosure Initiative
The Group has adopted the amendments to IAS 7 for the first time in the current year. The amendments require an entity 
to  provide  disclosures  that  enable  users  of  financial  statements  to  evaluate  changes  in  liabilities  arising  from  financing 
activities, including both cash and non-cash changes. The Group’s liabilities arising from financing activities consist of loans 
from related parties (note 33). A reconciliation between the opening and closing balances of these items is provided in note 
33. Consistent with the transition provisions of the amendments, the Group has not disclosed comparative information for 
the prior year. Apart from the additional disclosure in note 33, the application of these amendments has had no impact on 
the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

Amendments to IAS 12: Disclosure Initiative
The  Group  has  adopted  the  amendments  to  IAS  12  for  the  first  time  in  the  current  year.  The  amendments  clarify  how 
an  entity  should  evaluate  whether  there  will  be  sufficient  future  taxable  profits  against  which  it  can  utilise  a  deductible 
temporary  difference.  The  application  of  these  amendments  has  had  no  impact  on  the  Group’s  consolidated  financial 
statements  as  the  Group  already  assesses  the  sufficiency  of  future  taxable  profits  in  a  way  that  is  consistent  with  these 
amendments.

At the date of approval of these financial statements, the Group has not applied the following new and revised IFRSs that 
have been issued but are not yet effective:

•  IFRS 9: Financial Instruments;

•  IFRS 15: Revenue from Contracts with Customers;

•  IFRS 16: Leases;

•  IFRS 2 (amendments): Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions;

•  IFRS 10 and IFRS 28 (amendments): Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint 

Venture;

•  IFRIC 22: Foreign Currency Transactions and Advanced Consideration; and

•  IFRIC 23: Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments.

The  Directors  do  not  expect  the  adoption  of  the  Standards  listed  above  will  have  a  material  impact  on  the  financial 
statements of the Group in future periods, except as noted below:

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
The Group will apply IFRS 9 from 1 April 2018. The Group has elected not to restate comparatives on initial application of 
IFRS 9. The full impact of adopting IFRS 9 on the Group’s consolidated financial statements will depend on the financial 
instruments that the Group has during the financial year, as well as on economic conditions and judgements made as at 
the year end. The Group has performed a preliminary assessment of the potential impact of adopting IFRS 9 based on the 
financial instruments and hedging relationships as at the date of the initial application of IFRS 9 (1 April 2018). 

34

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 20182. ADOPTION OF NEW AND REVISED STANDARDS (CONTINUED)

Classification and measurement
With  respect  to  the  classification  of  and  measurement  of  financial  assets,  the  number  of  categories  of  financial  assets 
under IFRS 9 has been reduced compared to IAS 39. Under IFRS 9 the classification of financial assets is based on both the 
business model within which the asset is held and the contractual cash flows of the asset.

There will be no impact on the financial assets held by the Group (trade receivables) or the following financial liabilities 
(trade payables).

Hedge Accounting
On initial application of IFRS 9, an entity may choose, as its accounting policy, to continue to apply the hedge accounting 
requirements of IAS 39 instead of the hedge accounting requirements of IFRS 9. The Group has not elected to apply the 
IFRS 9 hedge accounting requirements. 

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
IFRS 15 establishes a single comprehensive model to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. 
IFRS 15 will supersede the current revenue recognition guidance including IAS 18 Revenue and the related Interpretations 
when it becomes effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018. The Group is required to adopt for 
the year ending 31 March 2019 but there are no contracts identified which would change the current accounting policy for 
revenue recognition. 

IFRS 16 Leases
IFRS  16  introduces  a  comprehensive  model  for  the  identification  of  lease  arrangements  and  accounting  treatments  for 
both  lessors  and  lessees.  IFRS  16  will  supersede  the  current  lease  guidance  including  IAS  17  Leases  and  the  related 
interpretations when it becomes effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. The Group currently 
expects to adopt IFRS 16 for the year ending 31 March 2020. No decision has been made about whether to use any of the 
transitional options in IFRS 16.

IFRS 16 distinguishes between leases and service contracts on the basis of whether an identified asset is controlled by a 
customer. Distinctions of operating leases (off balance sheet) and finance leases (on balance sheet) are removed for lessee 
accounting, and are replaced by a model where a right-to-use asset and a corresponding liability have to be recognised for 
all leases by lessees (i.e. all on balance sheet except for short term leases and leases of low value assets). 

The right-to-use asset is initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost (subject to certain exceptions) less 
accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, adjusted for any remeasurement of the lease liability. The lease liability is 
initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at that date. Subsequently, the lease liability 
is adjusted for interest and lease payments, as well as the impact of lease modifications, amongst others. Furthermore, the 
classification of cash flows will also be affected because operating lease payments under IAS 17 are presented as operating 
cash flows; whereas under the IFRS 16 model, the lease payments will be split into a principal and an interest portion which 
will be presented as financing and operating cash flows respectively. Furthermore, extensive disclosures are required by 
IFRS 16.

As  at  31  March  2018,  the  Group  has  non-cancellable  operating  lease  commitments  of  £138.1  million.  IAS  17  does  not 
require the recognition of any right-to-use asset or liability for future payments for these leases; instead, certain information 
is disclosed as operating lease commitments in note 28. A preliminary assessment indicates these arrangements will meet 
the definition of a lease under IFRS 16 and hence the Group will recognise a right-to-use asset and a corresponding liability 
in respect of all these leases unless they qualify for low value or short term leases upon the application of IFRS 16. The new 
requirement to recognise a right-to-use asset and a related lease liability is expected to have a significant impact on the 
amounts recognised in the Group’s consolidated financial statements and the Directors are currently assessing its potential 
impact. It is not practicable to provide a reasonable estimate of the financial effect until the Directors complete the review. 

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35

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

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

For the year ended 31 March 2018, the financial year runs for the 52 weeks to 24 March 2018 (2017: 52 weeks ended 25 
March 2017).

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.

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 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.

36

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 20183. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

37

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 

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.

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. For store fit out costs, these reviews are undertaken after the store has been trading for two years. Fit out 
costs for flagship stores are considered after taking into consideration their contribution to the marketing of the Mulberry 
brand.

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.

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.

3 8

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018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.

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.

39

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 

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.

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.

4 0

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 20183. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 

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.

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 cash flow 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  designates  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.

41

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 

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.

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 (other than those 
involving  estimations)  that  have  a  significant  impact  on  the  amounts  recognised  and  to  make  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 prior 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. 

Control over Mulberry Japan Co. Limited
Note 40 describes that Mulberry Japan Co. Limited is a subsidiary of the Group which has a 50% ownership interest and 
50% of the voting rights. 

Based on the requirements of IFRS 10, the Directors of the Company are satisfied that the Group has control over Mulberry 
Japan Co. Limited and has therefore treated the entity as a subsidiary. Control is demonstrated both by the terms of the 
shareholders agreement and the relationship the Group has as the provider of distribution rights to Mulberry Japan Co. 
Limited, such that it has power over the entity, there is exposure to variable returns and there is a link between power and 
returns.

42

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 20184. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY (CONTINUED)

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 of future growth rates and cost of capital, and third party leasehold valuations which are referred 
to in more detail in note 17. During the current year this has resulted in an impairment of retail assets of £378,000 (2017: 
£1,087,000). 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. Given the significant value of the rights to a lease at 275 
Rue Saint-Honoré, 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.

5. TOTAL REVENUE

Revenue

Sale of goods

Other operating income

Royalty income

Other income

Finance income

Interest income on cash balances

Other interest income

Gains on foreign exchange forward contracts

2018 
£’000

2017
£’000

169,718

168,121

201

281

482

38

47

11

214

268

482

14

–

281

Total revenue

170,296

168,898

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4 3

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

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.

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 
2018
£’000

Retail
 2018
 £’000

Eliminations 
2018
 £’000

Group 
2018
£’000

37,107

64,460

132,611

–

169,718

– 

(64,460)

–

101,567

132,611

(64,460)

169,718

7,397

381

–

7,778

(1,042)

114

67

6,917

Included within the Retail segment depreciation and amortisation is £378,000 (2017: £1,087,000) relating to impairment.

(1) Included within Retail external sales is £623,000 (2017: £375,000) of wholesale sales which have been invoiced by a Retail company within the Group.

4 4

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 20186. BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS (CONTINUED)

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

(1) Included within Retail external sales is £623,000 (2017: £375,000) of wholesale sales which have been invoiced by a Retail company within the Group.

Design
 2018
 £’000

Retail 
2018
 £’000

Total 
 2018
 £’000

Design
 2017
 £’000

Retail 
2017
 £’000

Total 
2017
£’000

Other information

Additions to  
non-current assets

Depreciation, amortisation 
and impairment

2,144

2,949

5,093

 1,511

3,771

5,282

2,368

4,655

7,023

2,537

6,062

8,599

In addition, £354,000 (2017: £88,000) of capital expenditure and £897,000 (2017: £1,526,000) of depreciation was incurred by 
the Parent Company which is not included in the segments above.

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4 5

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

6. BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS (CONTINUED)

Design
 2018
 £’000

Retail 
2018
 £’000

Total 
 2018
 £’000

Design
 2017
 £’000

Retail
 2017
 £’000

Total 
2017
£’000

Balance sheet

Segment assets

50,166

62,483

112,649

42,412

66,616

109,028

Interests in associates

Unallocated corporate 
assets

Consolidated assets

306

6,380

119,335

198

6,025

115,251

Segment liabilities

15,116

13,887

29,003

16,862

10,665

27,527

Unallocated corporate 
liabilities

Consolidated liabilities

2,089

31,092

2,080

 29,607

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. 

(b) Geographical segments

UK

Rest of Europe

Asia

North America

Rest of world

Total revenue

Sales revenue by
geographical market(1)

2018
£’000 

2017
£’000

121,650

121,863

25,170

11,500

10,840

558

24,241

11,654

9,533

830 

169,718

168,121

Non-current assets
by geographical market

2018
£’000

21,398

10,654

1,078

1,291

–

34,421

2017
£’000

23,173

11,433

–

2,061

–

36,667

(1) Revenue by geographical market includes wholesale sales based on the location of the customer.

(c) Product categories
Leather accessories account for over 90% of the Group’s revenues, of 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.

4 6

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 20187. OPERATING EXPENSES

Operating expenses for the year include the following:

•  An impairment charge of £378,000 (2017: £1,087,000) relating to the retail assets of one international store. This 

store had not been trading in line with its expected potential (see note 17).

•  Closure costs of £675,000 (2017: £nil) relating to two international stores which had not been trading in line with 

expectations. 

8. PROFIT FOR THE YEAR

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

Net foreign exchange loss/(gain)

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (see note 17)

Impairment of property, plant and equipment (see note 17)

Store closure costs

Amortisation of intangible assets (see note 16)

Write-downs of inventories recognised as an expense 

Cost of inventories recognised as an expense

Staff costs

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

9. AUDITOR’S REMUNERATION

The analysis of auditor’s remuneration is as follows:

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

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor and their associates for the audit of the  
Company’s subsidiaries

Total audit fees

Other taxation advisory services

Other services

Total non-audit fees

2018
 £’000

 2017
£’000

355

5,746

378

675

1,796

259

63,214

42,700

13

(192)

7,676

1,087

–

1,852

1,384

62,451

42,192

325

2018 
£’000

2017
£’000

70

107

177

38

54

92

£’000

£’000

16

7

23

67

3

70

Deloitte LLP has not performed tax compliance services since 1 April 2017 in line with the ethical standard restrictions on 
use of auditors for non-audit services.

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

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47

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

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 31)

Share-based payments (see note 30)

2018 
Number

2017
Number

641

548

255

688

552

227

1,444

1,467

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

36,993

4,517

899

291

36,180

4,627

853

532

42,700

42,192

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.

11. FINANCE INCOME

Gains on foreign exchange forward contracts

Other interest income

Interest income on cash balances

12. FINANCE EXPENSE

Interest on bank overdraft

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

2018 
£’000

2017
£’000

11

47

38

96

281

–

14

295

2018 
£’000

2017
£’000

3

26

29

13

4

17

4 8

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 201813. TAX

Current tax

Corporation tax

Current tax on income

Adjustments in respect of prior years

Deferred tax (note 23)

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 19% (2017: 20%) 

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

Differences in overseas tax base

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

Adjustments in respect of prior years

2018 
£’000

2017
£’000

2,811

(518)

(5)

(277)

2,417

158

(68)

 36

2,011

2,543

2018 
£’000

6,917

1,314

974

(206)

457

247

20

(795)

2017
£’000

7,533

1,507

949

–

258

(564)

199

194

Tax expense for the year 

2,011

2,543

Current  tax  of  £85,000  has  been  recognised  directly  in  equity  in  relation  to  foreign  currency  movements  (2017:  charge 
£361,000) and £22,000 (2017: £1,000) in relation to losses on a hedge of a net investment (see note 26).

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. Accordingly, UK deferred tax has been 
provided and recognised at the rates applicable to the years in which temporary differences are expected to occur. 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 2018 the Group recognised deferred tax assets of £168,000 (2017: £361,000) 
in respect of losses that are expected to be set off against future taxable income (see note 23). In 2018 the Group did not 
recognise deferred tax assets of £457,000 (2017: £406,000) in respect of losses that can be set off against future taxable 
income.

The adjustments in respect of prior years have arisen on finalisation of corporation tax computations for the year ended 
31 March 2017 when compared with the estimated tax provision previously calculated. Current tax prior year adjustments 
are derived from the refinement of tax treatment of share option charges, entertaining, legal costs and unrealised foreign 
exchange movements. Deferred tax prior year adjustments are derived from the finalisation of capital allowances and the 
tax treatment of provisions.

49

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

14. DIVIDENDS

Dividend for the year ended 31 March 2017 of 5p (2016: 5p) per share paid on  
23 November 2017

2018 
£’000

2017
£’000

2,969

2,968

Proposed dividend for the year ended 31 March 2018 of 5p per share (2017: 5p)

2,969

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 exceptional items:

 Impairment relating to retail assets

 Loss on disposal of retail stores

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

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

2018 
pence

2017
pence

8.3

8.2

10.0

10.0

8.4

8.4

10.2

10.2

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

4,906

4,990

378

675

5,959

1,087

–

6,077

2018
Million

2017
Million

59.4

0.2

59.6

59.4

0.1

59.5

The weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year excludes those held by the Mulberry Group plc 
Employee Share Trust. Please refer to note 26.

50

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 201816. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Cost

At 1 April 2016

Additions

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

At 1 April 2017

Additions

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

At 31 March 2018

Amortisation

At 1 April 2016

Charge for the year

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

At 1 April 2017

Charge for the year

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

At 31 March 2018

Carrying amount

At 31 March 2018

At 31 March 2017

At 31 March 2016

Software
£’000

Lease 
costs
 £’000

Total
£’000

11,051

7,366

18,417

962

(117)

–

11,896

1,263

(8)

–

–

–

635

8,001

–

–

70

962

(117)

635

19,897

1,263

(8)

70

13,151

8,071

21,222

7,329

1,852

(117)

–

9,064

1,796

–

–

10,860

2,291

2,832

3,722

– 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

7,329

1,852

(117)

–

9,064

1,796

–

–

10,860

8,071

10,362

8,001

10,833

7,366

11,088

At 31 March 2018, the Group had entered into contractual commitments for the acquisition of software of £58,000 (2017: 
£37,000). Included within software is £164,000 of projects still in development, where amortisation will not commence until 
the projects are complete and the assets come into use (2017: £226,000).

As at 31 March 2018 the carrying amount of website development costs within software is £1,115,000 (2017: £1,254,000).

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51

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

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

Cost

At 1 April 2016

Additions

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

At 1 April 2017

Additions

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

12,074

20,167

 83

(36)

–

12,121

7

(5)

–

637

(231)

1,150

21,723

1,631

(67)

(1,017)

8,393

1,027

 (550)

 70

8,940

1,013

(321)

(66)

27,480

2,661

(1,082)

1,545

30,604

1,533

(877)

(649)

Total 
£’000

68,166

4,408

(1,901)

2,765

52

–

(2)

–

 50

73,438

–

–

–

4,184

(1,270)

(1,732)

At 31 March 2018

12,123

22,270

9,566

30,611

50

74,620

Accumulated depreciation and 
impairment

At 1 April 2016

Charge for the year

Impairment charge

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

At 1 April 2017

Charge for the year

Impairment charge

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

3,053

412

–

(2)

–

3,463

424

–

(1)

–

14,126

2,425

199

(24)

885

17,611

1,459

4

(32)

(876)

5,262

1,055

12

(547)

60

5,842

1,026

–

(299)

(63)

17,530

3,784

876

(959)

1,105

22,336

2,837

374

(872)

(634)

52

–

–

 (2)

–

50

–

–

–

–

40,023

7,676

1,087

(1,534)

2,050

49,302

5,746

378

(1,204)

(1,573)

At 31 March 2018

3,886

18,166

6,506

24,041

50

52,649

Carrying amount

At 31 March 2018

8,237

4,104

3,060

6,570

At 31 March 2017

 8,658

4,112

3,098

8,268

At 31 March 2016

9,021

6,041

3,131

9,950

–

–

–

21,971

24,136

28,143

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

At 31 March 2018

At 31 March 2017

–

15

193

–

52

346

114

–

 –

–

–

539

129

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018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 2018

At 31 March 2017

–

–

42

411

57

 91

913

429

–

–

Total 
£’000

1,012

931

Freehold land of £2,029,000 (2017: £2,029,000) has not been depreciated.

The  Group  reviews  property,  plant  and  equipment  at  each  reporting  period  end  for  indicators  of  impairment.  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 2018.

During the year, an impairment charge of £378,000 (2017: £1,087,000) was identified as part of the Directors’ impairment 
review of the retail store assets relating to the store in Hamburg. In the prior year the stores impaired were Frankfurt and 
Dallas. The total recoverable amount for this store at the balance sheet date is considered to be £nil.

The  key  assumptions  for  the  value  in  use  calculations  are  those  regarding  the  discount  rates,  and  sales  growth  rates. 
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: 

Germany: 11% growth in revenue in year one, 15% to 20% in years two to five.

Canada: 11% growth in revenue in year one, 3% to 12% in years two to five.

The growth rates reflect 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 post-tax discount rates used in these calculations were between 9.0% and 9.5% (2017: 8.7% and 9.6%). This is based on 
the Group’s weighted average cost of capital adjusted for country specific tax rates and risks. 

The Group reviews the property, plant and equipment in flagship stores with a net book value of £3.2 million for indicators 
of impairment at each reporting period end. No impairment has been recognised in respect of these stores. 

18. SUBSIDIARIES

A list of the investments in subsidiaries, including the name, country of incorporation and proportion of ownership interest 
is given in note 40 to the Company’s separate financial statements.

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53

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

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

2018 
£’000

1,299

(324)

975

2018 
£’000

306

–

2017
£’000

831

(7)

824

2017
£’000

198

195

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 2018.

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

.

2018
£’000

2,022

208

114

2018 
£’000

2,432

994

41,221

2017
£’000

2,139

316

148

2017
£’000

2,498

981

39,343

44,647

42,822

2018 
£’000

9,058

(269)

8,789

87

2,910

3,410

2017
£’000

8,007

(331)

7,676

88

3,876

3,029

15,196

14,669 

54

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 201821. OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS (CONTINUED)

Trade receivables
The average credit period taken on the sale of goods is 62 days (2017: 54 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 

£16,104,000 (2017: £15,409,000); and

•  A distribution partner in Korea with total revenue of £2,725,000 (2017: £4,002,000).

Included in the Group’s trade receivables balance are debtors with a carrying amount of £2,771,000 (2017: £1,117,000) 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

61 to 90 days overdue

91 to 120 days overdue

121+ 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

2018 
£’000

598

833

85

137

1,118

2,771

2017
£’000

1,017

100

–

–

–

1,117

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

25,071

21,093

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.

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55

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

22. BORROWINGS

No borrowings were outstanding at the year end (2017: £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. The Group intends to renew the revolving credit facility at a level that 
is at least equal to the current level. 

In June 2018 the Group renewed its overdraft facilities to include trade facilities of £500,000 (2017: £2,000,000) together with 
a multi-currency overdraft facility of £4,000,000 (2017: £4,000,000) which would be repayable on demand. The interest rates 
are determined based on 1.25% over base. The overdraft facility has been agreed until 31 May 2019.

Both  the  revolving  credit  facility  and  the  overdraft  are  secured  by  fixed  and  floating  charges  over  the  Group’s  assets, 
together with Group cross guarantees. 

23. DEFERRED TAX

At 1 April 2016

(Credit)/charge to income

At 1 April 2017

(Credit)/charge to income

Deferred tax asset as at 31 March 2018

Losses in 
overseas 
territories
£’000

Accelerated 
tax
depreciation
£’000

Short term 
timing 
differences 
 £’000

–

(360)

(360)

168

(192)

(898)

(48)

(946)

(498)

(1,444)

(569)

375

(194)

48

(146)

Total
£’000

(1,467)

(33)

(1,500)

(282)

(1,782)

£1,615,000 (2017: £1,222,000) of the deferred tax asset is expected to unwind in more than one year.

At the balance sheet date, the Group had recognised deferred tax assets in respect of losses arising in overseas territories 
of £192,000 (2017: £362,000). 

24. OTHER FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Accruals

Other payables

Derivative financial instruments

2018 
£’000

7,758

21,193

1,117

131

2017
£’000

8,519

18,873

948

10

30,199

28,350

Trade payables and accruals principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. The average 
credit period taken for trade purchases is 19 days (2017: 20 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 32). These instruments are for US Dollars and Euros. 

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

56

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 201825. SHARE CAPITAL

Authorised

2018 
£’000

2017
£’000

65,000,000 ordinary shares of 5p each (2017: 65,000,000)

3,250

3,250

Issued and fully paid

60,017,458 ordinary shares of 5p each (2017: 59,997,458)

3,001

3,000

On 14 July 2017, 20,000 5p ordinary shares were issued at par to the Mulberry Group plc Employee Share Trust. 

The Company has granted 377,500 options in respect of 5p ordinary shares during the year (2017: 208,500).

26. RESERVES

Own share reserve
The Own share reserve represents 626,717 5p ordinary shares (2017: 639,844 5p ordinary shares) at a cost of £1,387,736 
(2017: £1,461,289). 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, 20,000 5p shares at a cost of £1,000 (2017: nil) were issued to the Mulberry Group plc Employee Share Trust 
increasing the reserve. Additionally, the reserve reduced as a result of the transfer of 33,127 shares with a value of £74,553 
(2017: 5,561 shares with a value of £12,700) to satisfy the vesting of share awards. The maximum number of own shares held 
during the year was 642,582 (2017: 645,405).

Capital redemption reserve
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.

Cash flow hedge and foreign exchange reserves

Cash flow 
hedge 
reserve 
£’000

Foreign 
exchange 
reserve 
£’000

–

–

(6)

1

(5)

–

(115)

22

(98)

(379)

1,804

–

(362)

1,063

(447)

–

85

701

Total 
£’000

(379)

1,804

(6)

(361)

1,058

(447)

(115)

107

603

At 1 April 2016

Exchange differences on translating the net assets of foreign operations

Foreign currency forward contracts

Current tax recognised on above

At 1 April 2017

Exchange differences on translating the net assets of foreign operations

Foreign currency forward contracts

Current tax recognised on above

At 31 March 2018

57

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

26. RESERVES (CONTINUED)

Cash flow hedge reserve
The  cash  flow  hedge  reserve  represents  the  cumulative  amount  of  gains  and  losses  on  hedging  instruments  deemed 
effective in cash flow hedges. The cumulative deferred gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognised in profit or loss 
only when the hedged transaction impacts the profit or loss.

Translation reserve
Exchange differences relating to the translation of the net assets of the Group’s foreign operations, from their functional 
currency into the Parent Company’s functional currency, being Sterling, are recognised directly in the foreign exchange 
reserve. 

Losses reclassified from the hedging and translation reserves into profit or loss during the year are included in the following 
line items in the income statement:

Cost of sales

Other expenses

27. NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

At 1 April 2016

Share of losses for the year

Increase in non-controlling interests arising from the set up of Mulberry (Asia) Limited

At 1 April 2017

Share of losses for the year

Increase in non-controlling interests arising from the set up of Mulberry Japan Co. Limited

Foreign currency translation

At 31 March 2018

28. OPERATING LEASE ARRANGEMENTS

2018 
£’000

2017
£’000

29

2

31

–

–

–

Total 
£’000

–

(348)

1,323

975

(1,485)

1,352

(95)

747

2018 
£’000

2017
£’000

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

18,185

16,158

58

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 201828. OPERATING LEASE ARRANGEMENTS (CONTINUED)

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

2018
£’000

17,671

61,354

59,048

2017
£’000

15,876

50,009

45,369

138,073

111,254

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 £986,000 (2017: £934,000).

29. 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 (2017: £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 will mean 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 (2017: £nil).

30. 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 
after the date of grant of options, and can be exercised for a period of 10 years from the date of grant. If the options remain 
unexercised for a period of 10 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

2018
Number of 
 share 
options

827,715

–

(18,500)

(201,000)

608,215

2018
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price (in £) 

2017
Number of 
 share 
options

2017
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price (in £)

8.79 

–

9.91

6.97

9.36

715,415

208,500

(85,200)

(11,000)

827,715

8.34

10.34

8.91

8.10

8.79

7.89

Exercisable at the end of the year

345,215

 8.85

180,000

59

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

30. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (CONTINUED)

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the year was £10.91 (2017: 
£10.97). The options outstanding at 31 March 2018 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 0.6 years (2017: 
1.2 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

2018

2017

–

–

–

–

–

–

£10.34

£10.34

18.4%

3 years

0.51%

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.

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 after the date of grant of options and can be exercised for a period of 10 years from the date of 
grant. If the matching shares remain unexercised after a period of 10 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

2018 
Number 
of 
matching 
shares

2017
Number 
of 
matching 
shares

10,796

–

23,302

(12,506)

10,796

10,796

10,796

10,796

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the year was £nil (2017: £10.26). 
The options outstanding at 31 March 2018 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of nil years (2017: nil years) 
and have an exercise price of £nil.

6 0

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018 
30. 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

2018 and 2017

£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 after the date of grant of options 
and  can  be  exercised  for  a  period  of  10  years  from  the  date  of  grant.  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.

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

2018
Number 
of 
share 
options

2018
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
(in £) 

2017
Number 
of 
 share 
options

2017
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
(in £)

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

300,000

1.458

300,000

1.458

Exercised during the year

–

–

Outstanding at the end of the year

300,000

1.458

300,000

Exercisable at the end of the year

300,000

1.458

300,000

1.458

1.458

The co-owned share rights outstanding at 31 March 2018 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of nil years 
(2017: nil years). 

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61

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

30. 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

2018 and 2017

£1.215 to £18.895

£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  after  the  date  of  grant  of 
options and is dependent upon attainment of certain performance conditions, including achievement of Group revenue 
and EBIT growth. The options can be exercised for a period of five years from the date of vesting. 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

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

Share price

Exercise price

Expected volatility

Expected life

Risk-free rate

Expected dividend yields

2018 
Number 
of shares

2017
Number 
of shares

–

–

–

–

61,400

(61,400)

–

–

2018 and 2017

£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. 

62

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 201830. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (CONTINUED)

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.  These  were  not  met  during  the  year,  and 
therefore lapsed as a result. 

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

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Lapsed during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

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

Share price

Exercise price

Expected volatility

Expected life

Risk-free rate

Expected dividend yields

2018
Number 
of 
 Share 
options

110,622

(110,622)

–

–

2018
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price
(in £) 

2017
Number 
of 
 Share 
options

2017
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price
(in £)

0.05

110,622

0.05

–

110,622

–

–

–

0.05

–

2018 and 2017

£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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63

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

30. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (CONTINUED)

Mulberry Group plc 2017 Performance Share Plan
This option grant was made on 10 July 2017 and may be exercised after the Group’s financial results for the financial year 
ended 31 March 2020 have been announced, and up to 10 years from the date of grant, upon attainment of the relevant 
performance conditions. 

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

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Granted during the year

Lapsed during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

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

Share price

Exercise price

Expected volatility

Expected life

Risk-free rate

Expected dividend yields

2018 
Number 
of shares

2017
Number 
of shares

–

377,500

(9,500)

368,000

–

£nil

£nil

£nil

–

2018

£9.89

£nil

19.56% 

3 years

1.04% 

0.58%

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.

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

 2018
£’000

2017
£’000

Mulberry Group plc 2008 Unapproved Share Option Scheme

469

532

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

Mulberry Group plc 2017 Performance Share Plan

–

–

–

(598)

420

291

–

–

–

554

–

1,086

6 4

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 201831. RETIREMENT BENEFIT SCHEMES

The Group contributes to personal pension plans for all qualifying employees. The total cost charged to income of £899,000 
(2017: £853,000) represents contributions payable to these personal plans by the Group at rates contractually agreed. As 
at 31 March 2018, contributions due in respect of the current reporting period which had not been paid over to the plans 
were £121,000 (2017: £131,000).

32. 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

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

Financial assets

Loans and receivables (including cash and cash equivalents)

33,947

28,857

Financial liabilities

Amortised cost

Derivatives in designated hedging relationships

7,758

131

8,519

10

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

2018

£’000

as at

2017

£’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. Future cash 

n/a

designated hedging 

and liabilities 

and liabilities 

flows are estimated based on forward 

relationships

– £131

– £10

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 companies. 

6 5

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

32. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

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 reviews the Group’s foreign currency exposure, including the current market 
value of outstanding foreign exchange contracts, and sets 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

2018
£’000

1,618

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

Euro

US Dollar

All hedges are short term in nature and will be settled within the following financial year.

2018
£’000

4,310

2,941

2017
£’000

10

2017
£’000

2,155

880

6 6

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 201832. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

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

Japanese Yen

Taiwan Dollar

Chinese Renminbi

Canadian Dollar

Liabilities
2018 
£’000

Liabilities
2017
£’000

Assets
2018
£’000

3,642

2,073

2,304

45

208

494

1,461

325

5,003

2,338

122

40

24

–

–

321

6,251

2,673

1,932

251

2,726

725

448

305

Assets
2017
£’000

8,875

3,699

3,308

 603

2

–

–

365

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. A sensitivity rate of 10% 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

Japanese Yen

Taiwan Dollar

Chinese Renminbi

Canadian Dollar

Impact 
on profit
2018
£’000

Impact
 on profit
2017
£’000

237

54

(34)

19

229

21

(92)

(2)

352

124

290

51

2

–

–

(4)

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.

67

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

32. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

If  interest  rates  had  been  1%  higher  and  all  other  variables  were  held  constant,  the  Group’s  profit  for  the  year  ended 
31  March  2018  would  have  increased  by  £93,000  (2017:  profit  decreased  by  £61,000).  This  is  mainly  attributable  to  the 
Group’s exposure to interest rates on its overdraft facility.

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 +0.29% (2017: +0.05%).

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.

Less
than 1
year 
 £’000

(30,199)

7,252

(7,336)

1 to 2 
years
£’000 

2 to 3 
years 
 £’000

3 to 4 
years 
£’000

4 to 5 
years 
 £’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total 
£’000

(30,199)

7,252

(7,336)

2018

Current liabilities

Derivatives: gross settled

Cash inflows

Cash outflows

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 201832. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

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

2017

Current liabilities

Derivatives: gross settled

Cash inflows

Cash outflows

(29,607)

3,035

(3,061)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total 
£’000

(29,607)

3,035

(3,061)

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 value, except for derivatives in designated hedging relationships which are valued at fair value.

33. NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities

1 April 
2017 
£’000

Financing 
cash flows  
£’000

Fair value 
adjustments 
£’000

Other 
changes  
£’000

31 March 
2018 
£’000

Loans from related parties (note 36)

Total liabilities from financing activities

–

–

1,385

1,385

–

–

–

–

1,385

1,385

34. ACQUISITIONS AND BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

On 3 April 2017 Mulberry (Asia) Limited, a 60% owned subsidiary of Mulberry Group plc, acquired one store in Hong Kong 
previously owned by Club 21 Retail (Hong Kong) Limited. During the year, Mulberry (Asia) Limited acquired one store in 
Taiwan from Club 21 Pte Limited Taiwan branch on 1 October 2017 and two stores in China from Club 21 Shanghai Limited 
on 1 March 2018.

The amounts recognised in respect of the identifiable assets acquired are set out in the table below:

Inventory

Total identifiable assets

Satisfied by:

Cash

£’000

1,629

1,629

1,629

1,629

These stores have contributed £2,513,000 to revenue and incurred a loss before tax of £3,400,000 for the year. Had the 
acquisitions  happened  on  1  April  2017  the  revenue  would  have  been  £4,100,000  and  the  loss  would  not  be  materially 
different. 

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69

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Group financial statements (continued)

35. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On 1 May 2018, Mulberry Japan Co. Limited, a 50% owned subsidiary, took control of 6 stores in Japan previously operated 
by Onward Global Fashion Limited. The leases and employees were acquired for £nil consideration. The provisional value 
of fixed assets acquired was £931,000. The fair value of stock acquired is currently provisionally estimated at £860,000. 

On 5 June 2018 the Group signed an agreement with SHK Holdings Limited (“SHK”) to form a new majority-owned entity 
to operate its business in Korea, which is expected to start trading by Autumn 2018. For further details, please refer to the 
Strategic report.

36. 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:

Purchases 
of goods, 
services, 
fixed assets 
and stock
2018
£’000

Purchases 
of goods, 
services, 
fixed assets 
and stock 
2017
£’000

Amounts 
owed by/
(from) 
related 
parties 
2018
£’000

Amounts
owed by/
(from) 
related 
parties 
2017
£’000

Sale of 
goods
2017
£’000

1,148

1,143

310

1,817

764

185

461

(2)

 500

 –

–

973

301

–

–

355

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

87

(1)

853

12

22

(566)

16

–

–

88

232

89

114

122

23

34

(1)

(5)

(1,385)

1,323

Sale of 
goods
2018
£’000

1,084

–

781

1,206

368

61

225

(2)

(98)

–

Mulberry Oslo AS

Club 21 Retail (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*

Challice Limited

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

70

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 201836. 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 £124,621 (2017: £123,710) 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.

Transactions with the Group’s Employee Benefit Trust are disclosed in note 26.

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 15 to 
17 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

37. CONTROLLING PARTY

2018 
£’000

2,005

20

–

2017
£’000

1,778

19

292

2,025

2,089

At the year end and at the date of this report, Challice Limited controlled 56.19% 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 and lowest level at which a consolidation is 
prepared for the Group. 

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71

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Company 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 

Page

73

74

75

80

84

72

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Company balance sheet

At 31 March 2018

Non-current assets

Investments

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax asset

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

Total assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

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

Note

2018
 £’000

2017
£’000

40

41

44

22,162

3,951

18

20,810

4,498

–

26,131

25,308

42

74,957

59,221

101,088

84,529

43

(66,086)

(66,857)

44

25

26

26

35,002

17,672

–

(32)

35,002

17,640

3,001

11,961

(1,388)

154

21,274

3,000

11,961

(1,461)

154

3,986

35,002

17,640

The Company reported a profit for the financial year ended 31 March 2018 of £20,471,000 (2017: loss of £408,000).

The financial statements of Mulberry Group plc (company number 01180514) were approved by the Board of Directors and 
authorised for issue on 13 June 2018.

They were signed on its behalf by:

Thierry Andretta 
Director 

Neil Ritchie
Director

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73

Mulberry Group plcCompany statement of changes in equity

Share
 capital 
£’000

Share 
premium 
account 
£’000

Own 
share 
reserve 
£’000

Capital
redemption 
reserve 
£’000

 Retained 
earnings 
£’000

Total
£’000

3,000

11,961

(1,474)

154

6,429

20,070

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

13

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(408)

(408)

(408)

(408)

1,086

1,086

(153)

–

(153)

13

(2,968)

(2,968)

3,000

11,961

(1,461)

154

 3,986

17,640

–

–

1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

73 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

20,471

20,471

20,471

20,471

–

291

(505)

–

1

291

(505)

73

(2,969)

(2,969)

As at 1 April 2016

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

Balance at 31 March 2017

Other comprehensive profit for the year

Total comprehensive profit for the year

Issue of shares

Charge for employee share-based 
payments

Exercise of share options

Own shares

Ordinary dividends paid

Balance at 31 March 2018

3,001

11,961

(1,388)

154

21,274

35,002

74

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Company financial statements

38. 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 37 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.

39. 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 profit for the financial year ended 31 March 2018 of £20,471,000 (2017: 
loss  of  £408,000).  Included  in  the  profit  for  the  year  is  a  release  of  a  provision  of  £1,268,000  (2017:  loss  of  £14,183,000) 
against intercompany balances.

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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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Company financial statements (continued)

40. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

Cost

At 1 April 2017

Additions

Disposals

At 31 March 2018

Provision for impairment

At 1 April 2017

Charge for the year

At 31 March 2018

Net book value

At 31 March 2018

At 31 March 2017

Subsidiaries 
shares
£’000

Subsidiaries 
loans
£’000

10,875

1,352

–

12,227

1,869

–

1,869

10,358

9,006

11,804

–

–

11,804

–

–

–

11,804

11,804

Total 
£’000

22,679

1,352

–

24,031

1,869

–

1,869

22,162

20,810

The Company has investments in the ordinary shares of the following subsidiaries and associates which contributed to the 
results or net assets of the Group at the year ended 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2018 (except as highlighted):

Subsidiaries

Country of 
incorporation

Principal activity

Mulberry Company (Design) Limited (1)

England and Wales Design and manufacture of clothing 

Mulberry Company (France) SARL (2)

France

Mulberry Company (Sales) Limited (1)

England and Wales

and fashion accessories in the UK

Establishment and operation of retail 
stores in France

Establishment and operation of retail 
shops in the UK

Mulberry Company (Europe) Limited (1)

England and Wales

Intermediary holding company

Mulberry Company (USA) Inc (3)

USA

Establishment and operation of retail 
stores in the USA

Proportion 
of ownership 
interest and 
voting power

100%

100%

100%†

100%

100%

Mulberry Group plc Employee Share 
Trust (4)

Guernsey

Operation of an employee share trust

100%

Mulberry Company (Germany) GmbH (5) Germany

Mulberry Company (Switzerland) GmbH (6) Switzerland

Establishment and operation of retail 
stores in Germany

Establishment and operation of retail 
stores in Switzerland

100%

100%

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 201840. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

Subsidiaries

Country of 
incorporation

Principal activity

Mulberry Company (Austria) GmbH (7)

Austria

Mulberry Company (Canada) Inc (8)

Canada

Mulberry France Services SARL (2)

Mulberry Company (Australia) Pty 
Limited (9)

France

Australia

Mulberry (Asia) Limited (10)

Hong Kong

Mulberry Trading (Shanghai) Company 
Limited¶ (11)

China

Mulberry Japan Co. Limited¶ # (12)

Japan

Establishment and operation of retail 
stores in Austria

Establishment and operation of retail 
stores in Canada

Operation of non-retail services

Establishment and operation of retail 
stores in Australia

Establishment and operation of 
retail stores in Asia

Establishment and operation of 
retail stores in China

Establishment and operation of retail 
stores in Japan

Mulberry Company (Shoes) Limited (1)

England and Wales Dormant company

Mulberry Company (Holdings) Limited (1) England and Wales  Dormant company

Mulberry Fashions Limited (1)

England and Wales  Dormant company

Mulberry Leathers Limited (1)

England and Wales  Dormant company

Mulberry (UK) Limited (1)

England and Wales  Dormant company

Proportion 
of ownership 
interest and 
voting power

100%

100%

100%

100%

60%

100%§

50%

100%

100%

100%‡

100%‡

100%

Associates

Mulberry Oslo AS* (13)

Norway

Operation of retail store in Oslo

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.
Owned by Mulberry (Asia) Limited.
New company formed in the year ended 31 March 2018.

†  
‡  
§  
¶  
#   Mulberry Japan Co. Limited is treated as a subsidiary of Mulberry Group plc.

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

(1)  The Rookery, Chilcompton, Bath, Somerset, BA3 4EH
(2)  51 Rue Étienne Marcel, 75001, Paris, France
(3)  475 Park Avenue South, New York 10016, USA
(4)  Cambridge House, Le Truchot, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3UW
(5)  c/o Osborne Clarke, Innere Kanalstrasse 15, 50823 Cologne, Germany
(6)  Storchengasse 4, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland
(7)  Seitzergasse 2-4, 1010 Vienna, Austria
(8)  340 Albert Street, Suite 1400, Ottawa, Ontario K1R 0A5, Canada
(9)  225 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
(10)  Unit 103B 1/F Star House, 3 Salisbury Road TST KLN, Hong Kong
(11)  Shop No B130, Plaza 66, No 1266, West Nanjing Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai, 200041
(12)  5-7-4 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
(13)  Akersgata 18, 0158 Oslo, Norway

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notes to the Company financial statements (continued)

41. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Cost

At 1 April 2017

Additions

Disposals

At 31 March 2018

Depreciation

At 1 April 2017

Charge for the year

Disposals

At 31 March 2018

Net book value

At 31 March 2018

At 31 March 2017

Freehold 
land and 
buildings 
 £’000

Short 
leasehold
land and 
buildings 
£’000

Fixtures 
and 
fittings 
 £’000

6,638

6

(5)

6,639

2,788

243

(1)

3,030

3,609

3,850

7,082

348

–

7,430

6,494

594

–

7,088

342

588

711

–

–

711

651

60

–

711

–

60

Total 
£’000

14,431

354

(5)

14,780

9,933

897

(1)

10,829

3,951

4,498

Freehold land of £997,000 (2017: £997,000) has not been depreciated.

At 31 March 2018, the Company had entered into contractual commitments for the acquisition of property of £nil (2017: £nil) 
and there were assets under the course of construction where depreciation has not yet commenced of £nil (2017: £13,000).

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

42. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Amounts falling due within one year:

Amounts owed by Group undertakings

Prepayments and accrued income

2018 
£’000

2017
£’000

74,108

849

58,982

239

74,957

59,221

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 201843. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Amounts falling due within one year:

Amounts owed to Group undertakings

Accruals and deferred income

Current tax

44. DEFERRED TAX

Deferred tax – accelerated capital allowances

Deferred tax liability at 1 April 2017

Credit for the year

Deferred tax asset at 31 March 2018

45. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

2018 
£’000

2017
£’000

65,383

65,434

538

165

822

601

66,086

66,857

2017
£’000

32

2018 
£’000

– 

32

(50)

(18)

Details of related party transactions are provided in note 36 to 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.

46. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Mulberry Group plc has acted as a guarantor on various property leases entered into between its subsidiaries and thirdparty 
lessors. No amounts were outstanding at the year end in respect of such guarantees (2017: £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 will mean 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 (2017: £nil).

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

47. SHARE CAPITAL

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

48. 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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79

Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018Notice of Annual General Meeting

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 11 September 2018 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 2018 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 2018.

Re-election of retiring Directors

3.  That Mr T Andretta who retires as a Director by rotation in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association 

be re-elected as a Director.

4.  That Mr G Davis 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 reappointed 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 £1,000,291, 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 2019, 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.

8 0

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Mulberry Group plcYear ended 31 March 2018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 £150,044; 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 2019 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 3,000,873;

(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 2019, 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 2018

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

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81

Mulberry Group plcNotice of Annual General Meeting (continued)

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 7 September 2018.

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 7 September 2018 (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 2018 (being the last business day prior to the publication of this Notice) the Company’s issued share 
capital consists of 60,017,458 ordinary shares, carrying one vote each. Therefore, the total voting rights in the 
Company as at 13 June 2018 are 60,017,458.

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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Mulberry Group plc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 £1,000,291, representing approximately 
one-third of the nominal value of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 13 June 2018, 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 £150,044, representing approximately 5% of the nominal value of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 
13 June 2018, 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 disapply 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 
3,000,873  ordinary  shares  (representing  approximately  5%  of  the  Company’s  issued  ordinary  shares  as  at  13  June  2018, 
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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83

Mulberry Group plcGroup five year summary

Results

Revenue

Operating profit

Profit before tax

2014
 £’000

2015
 £’000

2016
 £’000

2017
 £’000

2018
£’000

163,456

148,680

155,867

168,121

169,718

 13,717

 1,700

 6,110

 7,107

6,736

 14,014

 1,861

 6,217

 7,533

6,917

Profit/(loss) attributable to equity shareholders

 8,602

 (1,392)

 2,685

 5,338

6,391

Loss attributable to non-controlling interests

 –

 –

 –

 (348)

(1,485)

Assets employed

Non-current assets

Current assets

Current liabilities

Net assets

Key statistics

Earnings/(loss) per share

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share

43,296

70,768

47,355

62,539

 40,904

 69,159

36,667

78,584

34,421

84,914

(30,106)

(31,205)

(30,147)

(29,607)

(31,092)

83,958

78,689

79,916

85,644

88,243

14.5p

14.5p

(2.3p)

(2.3p)

4.5p

4.5p

8.4p

8.4p

8.3p

8.2p

84

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Mulberry Group plcMulberry AR2018 WEB.indd   6

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