Annual Report - JD Group

Responsible for the Group’s property
negotiations, project and shopfitting,
lease administration and related
legal aspects.
Review
The 2004 financial year was extremely exciting in that the Group
embarked upon a differentiation programme across all eight
southern African chains.
The resultant new display formats have absolutely differentiated
our brands from each other and our competitors.
Our renovations programme was delayed during the year as a
result of the differentiation and branding process, but has gained
momentum towards the latter part of the year.
During the year, the department negotiated 320 leases, of which
250 were renewals. The project team successfully managed the
relocation of 17 stores, opened 8 new stores and renovated
91 stores.
A total of 1 367 leases are administered by the now fully
integrated department, which includes the management of the
Group rentroll.
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Outlook
Property
André Maré (52)
Group executive –
Property services – 30*
Executive management
Etienne du Plessis (54)
Bluris LLB
Property leases and
administration – 29*
Ivan Nefdt (41)
Property management – 16*
Nico Celliers (47)
BSc (Hons) Prod Eng
Property leases and
project management – 19*
* years experience in furniture
retail/property
It is our commitment to renovate twenty percent of our store base
per annum, in line with the new chain differentiation strategies.
R40 million has been earmarked for the new financial year and we
will continue to contribute to Group bottom line by ensuring that
chain refurbishment costs are within budgeted parameters.
The tremendous growth in the property market during the course
of the financial year under review, has resulted in limited available
retail premises. We have strengthened our employee complement
to ensure that we pursue every opportunity to enhance the
Group’s trading footprint.