Hammerson plc ("Hammerson" or the "Group")

 27 January 2022

Trading, operational and rent collection update

Adjusted earnings

Further to our announcement on 2 December 2021, and following a period of improved trading, Hammerson today announces that it now expects that FY21 adjusted earnings will be in the range of £75-80m¹, ahead of the minimum of £60m previously indicated.   Gross rental income was ahead of expectations across the Group's managed portfolio, whilst Value Retail delivered a stronger-than-expected Q4 performance.

In the Group's managed portfolio, as government restrictions were reintroduced during the key Christmas trading period, footfall in the UK and Ireland softened marginally, whilst France remained resilient.  Overall, footfall recovered strongly during the year, particularly when restrictions were eased, with some destinations exceeding 2019 levels and consistently exceeding national indices².  This trend has continued in 2022 to date.

UK sales remained strong around Christmas, at 97% of 2019 levels in November and 93% in December; sales in France were 92% of 2019 levels in November and 93% in December.

Footfall at Value Retail in Q4 was just under 90% of comparable 2019 levels, with brand sales approaching 95%, and spend per visit marginally ahead.

Rent Collections

FY20 Group rent collections stand at 97% of billable rent; FY21 collections are at 88%.

Q1 22 collections to date are at 74% of billable rent.  As with the last two quarters, the UK remains the strongest performer with 78% of rent collected, Ireland stands at 75%, and France at 66%.  We expect collection rates to continue to improve as we go through the quarter.  

This announcement has also been released on the SENS system of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and on Euronext Dublin.

ENDS

1.        The 2021 adjusted earnings benefits from net rental income from disposals exchanged and completed, including the Retail Parks portfolio and Silverburn, of c.£18m, and surrender premiums of c.£20m (2020: £3m).  The overwhelming majority of the surrendered space has been re-let or is in planning for repurposing or redevelopment.

2.        Shoppertrak The Total Mall benchmarks

Enquiries

Hammerson Investor Contact

Josh Warren, Hammerson, Director of Strategy & Investor Relations

T: +44 20 7887 1053    E:  josh.warren@hammerson.com

Hammerson Media Contacts

FTI Consulting (for Hammerson)

Dido Laurimore

Tel: +44 20 3727 1000/ 0780 165 4424  E:  dido.laurimore@fticonsulting.com 

Notes to Editors

Hammerson

Hammerson creates vibrant, continually evolving spaces, in and around thriving European cities, with a focus on prime urban estates and premium outlets.  As at 30 June 2021, our portfolio of high-quality venues had a value of £5.5 billion and included 21 flagship destinations in thriving cities and investments in premium outlet villages through our partnership with Value Retail. Key venues include Bullring, Birmingham, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin, and Les Terrasses du Port, Marseille, and investments in premium outlets at Bicester Village, Oxfordshire, La Vallée, Paris, and Las Rozas, Madrid.