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Annual Report 2012/13 - Clas Ohlson

Annual Report 2012/13 - Clas Ohlson

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smaller, individual specialist retailers. The major chains and<br />

retailers are establishing themselves in several countries<br />

through both own stores and acquisitions. As a result,<br />

market players have become fewer and larger. During the<br />

financial year, competition intensified due to more stores<br />

and shopping centres, particularly in the Nordic region. For<br />

more information, refer to page 11.<br />

Logistics<br />

<strong>Clas</strong> <strong>Ohlson</strong>’s distribution centre in Insjön is the hub of<br />

the Group’s entire logistics chain. From here, goods are<br />

distributed to all stores and to mail order/Internet customers.<br />

In recent years, the distribution centre has been<br />

expanded to further optimise the company’s logistics.<br />

However, concentrating all logistics to one location entails<br />

risks. These include communication and infrastructure disruptions,<br />

fire and strikes.<br />

Key individuals<br />

An increasingly critical success factor is being able to attract<br />

and retain key employees. <strong>Clas</strong> <strong>Ohlson</strong>’s remuneration<br />

policy was changed in the 2008/09 financial year, following<br />

a resolution by the <strong>Annual</strong> General Meeting to allow a higher<br />

percentage of variable, performance-based remuneration.<br />

For more information, refer to page 56.<br />

The company’s geographical location requires flexible<br />

working conditions, which is essential for attracting and<br />

retaining key individuals from other locations.<br />

Shrinkage<br />

<strong>Clas</strong> <strong>Ohlson</strong> is exposed to shrinkage on a daily basis, including<br />

shoplifting, theft and other types of criminal activity.<br />

<strong>Clas</strong> <strong>Ohlson</strong> works to reduce shrinkage through longterm<br />

preventive measures such as training programmes,<br />

technical equipment and ongoing monitoring, assessment<br />

and adaptation of security measures.<br />

Financial risks<br />

Economic climate<br />

The retail market in general is adversely affected by a weak<br />

economy and although <strong>Clas</strong> <strong>Ohlson</strong> sells products for<br />

everyday use, a weak retail market will have a negative impact<br />

on the company’s sales.<br />

However, the broad and affordable product range is less<br />

sensitive to cyclical fluctuations than that of many other retailers.<br />

More than 80 per cent of the products sold by <strong>Clas</strong><br />

<strong>Ohlson</strong> are priced at less than SEK 300. The company’s<br />

broad product range, with five different product categories,<br />

also entails lower risk since demand in one product category<br />

could increase while demand in another category falls.<br />

Wage inflation in manufacturing countries<br />

<strong>Clas</strong> <strong>Ohlson</strong> is affected by wage-level changes in countries<br />

where the company’s products are manufactured. This can<br />

vary between products depending on how much labour is<br />

involved in the manufacturing process.<br />

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)<br />

Demands for companies to accept social responsibility<br />

(Corporate Social Responsibility) are growing. <strong>Clas</strong> <strong>Ohlson</strong><br />

works proactively with these issues, since they are strategically<br />

significant and contribute to building a long-term<br />

sustainable business. If these social responsibilities are<br />

neglected, the company risks losing sales and market<br />

shares. For more information about <strong>Clas</strong> <strong>Ohlson</strong>’s sustainability<br />

efforts, refer to pages 27–43.<br />

Product range<br />

The company’s most important task is to offer customers<br />

a broad and attractive product range. If <strong>Clas</strong> <strong>Ohlson</strong> were<br />

to misjudge new trends or product categories, this could<br />

entail lower growth and profitability.<br />

WIRELESS<br />

Wireless optical smoke alarm. Wireless connectivity. Alarms<br />

one, alarms all!<br />

36-4556<br />

NOK/SEK exchange rate (per month)<br />

Valuta NOK/SEK<br />

1.20<br />

1.18<br />

1.16<br />

1.14<br />

1.12<br />

1.10<br />

M J J A S O N D J F M A<br />

<strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong><br />

2011/12<br />

Source: Riksbanken<br />

The graph shows the average exchange rate for NOK/SEK. Norway<br />

accounts for approximately 40 per cent of <strong>Clas</strong> <strong>Ohlson</strong>’s sales. At the<br />

start of the financial year on 1 May <strong>2012</strong>, the exchange rate for the<br />

Norwegian krone (NOK) against the SEK was 1.17. During the financial<br />

year, the trend for the Norwegian krona (NOK) could be compared to a<br />

rollercoaster. The price declined significantly in the summer, followed<br />

by a sharp upswing in the autumn. Another strong decline was noted<br />

during the last quarter of the financial year. On 30 April 20<strong>13</strong>, the<br />

exchange rate was 1.12, down 4 per cent.<br />

The highest exchange rate during the financial year was 1.20 recorded<br />

in May <strong>2012</strong>, while the lowest was 1.11, noted in March 20<strong>13</strong>. The<br />

average exchange rate for <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong> was 1.16 (1.17).<br />

Operations 25

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