Sector Update | 23 April 2020
Retail
Retail
Control the controllable
Survival of the fittest
With the Retail sector being at the forefront in the current COVID-19 crisis, we foresee an
impact on retailers not just during the lockdown but much after, given the prolonged
weakness in spending. In this report, we discuss the potential areas of impact on retailers,
likely mitigating factors, and how to think about stocks post a 50% correction from yearly
highs.
Cost of retailing to drop 5–
7%; rental exemption
during lockdown would be a
major relief.
Cost of retailing to drop, but by how much?
Most apparel retailers generate gross margins of 30–50%, implying an average cost
of retailing at 30–40%. In an ideal scenario, when sales are at a standstill, the above-
mentioned cost of retailing should ideally flow to the bottom line. However, our
channel checks and management discussion indicate half this cost, 15–20pp, could
be saved by cutting marketing/advertising activity and from variable rental cost and
savings from closed stores. Furthermore, even rental cost is expected to see some
waiver given the negotiations underway, as per our channel checks. Hence, the cost
of retailing can be further reduced by 5–7pp,
in effect reducing cash burn to 10–
15% of revenue during lockdown.
Grocery retailers such as DMart incur barely 6–
7% cost of retailing (GM 15% and EBITDA 8%), given their ownership model, high
throughput, and limited marketing cost. This too should reduce by 50–60% on
account of stores being closed (50%) and SG&A savings.
Prolonged recovery to delay new store openings and create labor issues
Even once the prevalent lockdown is lifted, the risks of COVID-19, coupled with
weakness in spending, should extend the impact on store footfall as consumers
would curb mall visits and indulgent spending. China saw 30% of normal sales in the
first few weeks. Grocery chains such as DMart could see a lower impact, as sales
from non-essential items (~30% of revenue) are impacted due to store closures.
New store additions would also be drastically reduced as retailers may curb
expansion to ease the strain on the balance sheet and demand slackness. Mall
owners are likely to stall new projects, and vacancies may rise even with delayed
openings. Furthermore, the impact of migrant workers and low employee turnout
may hit product availability and store operations. Subsequently, we believe there
could be a potential 20–25% revenue impact, which may intensify if issues last
beyond two to three months.
Inventory could turn out to
be a key pain point once
normalcy returns as
inventory typically
comprises 30–45% of
retailers’ balance sheets
(FY19).
Inventory management – Discount or no discount?
This could turn out to be a key pain point once normalcy returns as inventory
typically comprises 30–45% of retailers’ balance sheets (FY19). The extent of the
impact on each company would depend on: a) the number of private labels and
brand ownerships, b) astute inventory management, and c) the extent of inventory
holding capacity. Weaker retailers may endeavor to shift the pain on vendors,
Research Analyst: Aliasgar Shakir
(Aliasgar.Shakir@motilaloswal.com); +91 22 6129 1565
Suhel Shaikh
(Suhel.Ahmad@MotilalOswal.com); +91 22 5036 2611 /
Anshul Aggarwal
(Anshul.Aggarwal@motilaloswal.com); +91 22 6129 1559
23 April 2020
Investors are advised to refer through important disclosures made at the last page of the Research Report.
Motilal Oswal research is available on www.motilaloswal.com/Institutional-Equities, Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, Factset and S&P Capital.
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