News Tag: English

STRAX: RICHMOND & FINCH LAUNCHES EXCLUSIVE POPSOCKETS PopGrips

Richmond & Finch, the fashiontech accessories brand owned by STRAX, launches exclusive PopGrip designs in collaboration with PopSockets, the largest accessories grip company in the world.

The initial launch is based on seven of the most popular case designs from Richmond & Finch, and additional designs will be added to the range during the first quarter of 2020. The exclusive PopGrips match the Richmond & Finch designs and can be purchased with a case as a bundle or as a stand alone item.

“PopSockets is a global leader in the grip stand accessories category and I believe the fashionable designs by Richmond & Finch with the added functionality of the PopGrips are a very strong value proposition. The collaboration with PopSockets should quickly increase the retail footprint of Richmond & Finch. The partnership with such a strong player in our industry demonstrates the brand equity of Richmond & Finch and I am excited for the opportunity to continue to develop the brand as part of the strong STRAX portfolio own of brands” says Gudmundur Palmason, CEO, STRAX AB.

For further information please contact Gudmundur Palmason, CEO, STRAX AB, +46 8 545 017 50.

About Richmond & Finch

Richmond & Finch is a global premium lifestyle brand from Sweden that designs and produces contemporary mobile phone and travel accessories. The unisex lifestyle brand creates unique designs which reflect current fashion trends. Richmond & Finch offers a fresh and exciting new collection each season. With their distinctive case structure & design trademark, the brand has been named “best selling fashion accessory” with sales of more than 1 million products in a year. Richmond & Finch accessories are available in over 50 countries around the world in partnership with some of the most renowned and innovative retailers.

About STRAX
STRAX is a global company specializing in mobile accessories. The company develops and grows brands through an omnichannel approach. STRAX operates two complimentary businesses – Own brands and Distribution (retail and online marketplaces) – where the lifestyle audio brand Urbanista is the flagship along with our licensed brands adidas. Through its retail distribution platform in Europe STRAX represents over 40 major mobile accessory brands, whilst Brandvault, online marketplace distribution, is currently centered around own brands and startups. STRAX sells into all key channels ranging from telecom operators, mass merchants and consumer electronics to lifestyle retailers and direct to consumers online. STRAX was founded in Miami and Hong Kong in 1995 and has since grown across the world. Today, STRAX has over 200 employees in 12 countries with its operational HQ and logistics center based in Germany. STRAX is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm Stock Exchange.

Pr Richmond & Finch PopSockets

STRAX: URBANISTA FINISHED A RECORD YEAR IN 2019 WITH E-COM GROWING OVER 1 000%

Urbanista, the lifestyle audio brand owned by STRAX, finished 2019 on a strong note, as anticipated. Total sales in 2019 amounted to MSEK 240 compared to MSEK 141 the previous year, corresponding to a growth of 70 percent.

Urbanista experienced growth from all sales channels in 2019 where e-commerce particularly stuck out with more than 1 000 percent growth from direct website sales following a focused and aggressive strategy, including onboarding of a completely new team to implement and maximize the e-commerce opportunity.

The growth both online and offline was made possible due to a strong portfolio of products, especially within the true wireless headphone segment, where Urbanista launched three products during 2019. Counterpoint Research expects the true wireless headphone market to grow by 80% CAGR for 2019-2022 and Urbanista is well positioned to be on that curve.

“We have managed to significantly grow Urbanista every year since STRAX acquired the brand in 2014, however, it feels like 2019 was the year when it all came together with relevant and timely product launches followed by success in both online and offline sales channels. Social media presence and e-commerce is of utmost importance for the brand and I am very impressed with the strategic execution of our digital marketing team as well as how the entire Urbanista organization coped with the challenges that come along with significant growth. With a solid portfolio of true wireless headphones and a promising roadmap, including an ANC product showcased today at CES, I am very confident the success will continue and it furthermore gives me good comfort that the organization has proven to have what it takes to deliver in a high growth environment.” says Gudmundur Palmason, CEO, STRAX AB.

For further information please contact Gudmundur Palmason, CEO, STRAX AB,
+46 8 545 017 50.

About Urbanista
Urbanista make audio products rooted in Scandinavian design. The products are inspired by cities, freedom and with the urban lifestyle in mind. We design for life in motion and dedicate our products to urban people, no matter where they call home. Urbanista is available online as well as in 20, 000 stores and 80 countries around the world. For more information visit www.urbanista.com

About STRAX
STRAX is a global company specializing in mobile accessories. STRAX develops and grows brands through an omnichannel approach. STRAX operates two complimentary businesses – Own brands and Distribution (retail and online marketplaces) – where the lifestyle audio brand Urbanista is the flagship along with our licensed brand adidas. Through its retail distribution platform in Europe STRAX represents over 40 major mobile accessory brands, whilst Brandvault, online marketplace distribution, is currently centered around own brands and startups. STRAX sells into all key channels ranging from telecom operators, mass merchants and consumer electronics to lifestyle retailers and direct to consumers online. STRAX was founded in Miami and Hong Kong in 1995 and has since grown across the world. Today, STRAX has over 200 employees in 12 countries with its operational HQ and logistics center based in Germany. STRAX is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm Stock Exchange.

Pr Urbanista

STRAX ADDS TO ITS PORTFOLIO OF OWN BRANDS THROUGH THE ACQUISITION OF RICHMOND & FINCH

STRAX, the mobile accessories specialist, has acquired all outstanding shares of Racing Shield AB with the main asset being the fashiontech accessories brand Richmond & Finch.

Richmond & Finch offers smartphone cases with a high level of fashionable designs coupled with impact protection and targets consumers through both offline and online sales channels. The business model is a very good match to the unparalleled retail and online distribution reach of the STRAX group.

Richmond & Finch is expected to reach sales of approximately MSEK 45 in 2019 and the acquisition, following the successful earnout-structure STRAX has used in the past, is effective as of December 1, 2019.

”Richmond & Finch was founded in 2014 and we have managed to establish a strong foundation for the brand in the Nordic countries as well as several markets in Europe and Asia. To reach the next level we identified the need for a new investor, or alternatively sell the company. With further exploration it became the latter and the possibility to be acquired by STRAX, one of the strongest industry experts, was immediately recognized to be the best option for the brand. With STRAX industry knowledge, backend support and broad distribution Richmond & Finch will get the chance to reach its full potential” says Mats Wikström, CEO & founder of Richmond & Finch.

”STRAX has proven to be strong at developing and growing mobile accessories brands such as Gear4, a brand we took from less than a million euros in sales in 2015 to
35 million euros when we divested in late 2018. Richmond & Finch is a strong fashion accessories brand with high level of design, impact protection and quality that we believe will provide an excellent opportunity to develop further within the core competence of the STRAX group. Furthermore, the timing is right, since Richmond & Finch overall product positioning highly complements the current brand offering from STRAX. We are excited to take the brand to the next level and add yet another substantial asset to the STRAX own brand portfolio” says Gudmundur Palmason, CEO STRAX group.   

For further information please contact Gudmundur Palmason, CEO, STRAX AB,
+46 8 545 017 50.

About Richmond & Finch

Richmond & Finch is a global premium lifestyle brand from Sweden that designs and produces contemporary mobile phone and travel accessories. Our unisex lifestyle brand creates unique designs which reflect current fashion trends. We offer a fresh and exciting new collection each season and the distinctive design of our products has been trademarked. Richmond & Finch have been named “best selling fashion accessory” with sales of more than 1 million products in a year. Our accessories are available in more than 50 countries around the world in partnership with some of the most renowned and innovative retailers.

About STRAX

STRAX is a global company specializing in mobile accessories. The company develops and grows brands through an omnichannel approach. STRAX operates two complimentary businesses – Own brands and Distribution (retail and online marketplaces) – where the lifestyle audio brand Urbanista is the flagship along with our licensed brands adidas. Through its retail distribution platform in Europe STRAX represents over 40 major mobile accessory brands, whilst Brandvault, online marketplace distribution, is currently centered around own brands and startups. STRAX sells into all key channels ranging from telecom operators, mass merchants and consumer electronics to lifestyle retailers and direct to consumers online. STRAX was founded in Miami and Hong Kong in 1995 and has since grown across the world. Today, STRAX has over 200 employees in 12 countries with its operational HQ and logistics center based in Germany. STRAX is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm Stock Exchange.

Pr Richmond & Finch

STRAX: NEW SIMPLIFIED GROUP STRUCTURE TO IMPROVE PRESENTATION OF THE COMPANY AND MAXIMIZE VALUE

The STRAX Board of Directors has resolved to split the group’s business into two parts – Own brands and Distribution. Both businesses will remain wholly owned by STRAX. This change will present an improved view of the value of each part of the group’s businesses and is also expected to deliver a more effective cost structure, once fully implemented.

No change on consolidated group figures, however, the split P&L based on the figures for the first nine months of 2019 would be as follows:

 

MEUR                                 Distribution*      Own Brands           Other           Total

SALES                                53.5                     18.7                         –             72.3
Gross margin                      14.2                       7.1                      -0.1           21.2
   Gross margin %               26.5                     38.1                       0.0           29.4
EBITDA                                4.4                      1.4                      -0.6              5.2               * Includes both retail and online distribution

 

Effective January 1, 2020, the business segments reporting format will also be changed, with four segments reported as: Distribution–Retail; Distribution–Online; Own Brands; and Other.

“The split of the business into Own Brands and Distribution, is key from an operational point of view where we will have increased transparency of each business as well as provide for improved visualization of values and performance within the STRAX Group. Today we own one of the leading European based specialist distributors of mobile accessories, rapidly expanding Brandvault for online global marketplace management, established brands such as Urbanista and new brands like Clckr, all of which are performing well. I believe we have been negatively impacted from a valuation perspective due to the fact the market has not understood our consolidated business model. Additionally, we have not been able to capture the full potential of our distribution platform in Europe, since it has been an integrated part of the consolidated business and, as such, jeopardized our average blended gross margin. With this split we will be able to optimize our valuation by clear separation of our complimentary businesses and we expect this change to be viewed positively by our shareholders and the market in general” says Gudmundur Palmason, CEO, STRAX AB.

For further information please contact Gudmundur Palmason, CEO, STRAX AB, +46 8 545 017 50.

About STRAX
STRAX is a global company specializing in mobile accessories. STRAX develops and grows brands through an omnichannel approach. STRAX operates two complimentary businesses – Own brands and Distribution (retail and online marketplaces) – where the lifestyle audio brand Urbanista is the flagship along with our licensed brands adidas. Through its retail distribution platform in Europe STRAX represents over 40 major mobile accessory brands, whilst Brandvault, online marketplace distribution, is currently centered around own brands and startups. STRAX sells into all key channels ranging from telecom operators, mass merchants and consumer electronics to lifestyle retailers and direct to consumers online. STRAX was founded in Miami and Hong Kong in 1995 and has since grown across the world. Today, STRAX has over 200 employees in 12 countries with its operational HQ and logistics center based in Germany. STRAX is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm Stock Exchange.
 

PR Business Split 191128

STRAX: INTERIM REPORT NO 3 FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2019

STRAX delivers 17% sales growth in Q3 2019 and 18% growth YTD on a like-for-like basis, with significant improvement in profitability.

The Group’s sales for the period January 1 – September 30, 2019, amounted to
MEUR 72.3 (69.5), corresponding to an increase of 4 percent, with a gross margin of 24.1 (28.6) percent.

The Group’s result for the period January 1 – September 30, 2019, amounted to
MEUR -2.5 (-1.1) corresponding to EUR -0.02 (-0.01) per share. The result for the period was negatively affected by MEUR 3.3 related to the decline in value of the Zagg shares.

Equity as of September 30, 2019 amounted to EUR 18.8 (19.8) corresponding to EUR 0.16 (0.17) per share.

EBITDA for the period January 1 – September 30, 2019, increased to MEUR 5.1 (3.6).

Year over year reduction in operational expenses excluding depreciation amounts to MEUR 6.7 for 2019 as a result of cost reductions implemented in 2018, corresponding to approximately 27 percent, and tracking towards MEUR 8-9 reduction in 2019.

Urbanista accelerated its growth in the first 9 months of 2019 and achieved 20 percent market share in the true wireless headset category in Sweden in July 2019. In the fall of 2019 Urbanista launched four new true wireless products and is on track to deliver another record year.

The board of directors resolved to split the group’s business into two parts – Own brands and Distribution. Both businesses will remain wholly owned by STRAX. This change will present an improved view of the value of each part the group’s business and is also expected to deliver a more effective cost structure once fully implemented. The change will come into effect January 1, 2020. (See separate press release).

”Our third quarter performance was excellent overall and I am proud of the entire STRAX team for their determination and firm belief in the changes we´ve implemented during the last twelve months. In the third quarter our sales grew by 17% compared to the same period last year and 4% during the first nine months this year, whilst delivering 18% growth on a like-for-like basis, taking the Gear4 transaction into account”.

                                                               Gudmundur Palmason, CEO

 

For further information please contact Gudmundur Palmason, CEO, STRAX AB,
+46 8 545 017 50.

This is information that Strax AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 08:55 CET on November 28, 2019.

About STRAX
STRAX is a global company specializing in mobile accessories. STRAX develops and grows brands through an omnichannel approach. STRAX operates two complimentary businesses – Own brands and Distribution (retail and online marketplaces) – where the lifestyle audio brand Urbanista is the flagship along with our licensed brands adidas. Through its retail distribution platform in Europe STRAX represents over 40 major mobile accessory brands, whilst Brandvault, online marketplace distribution, is currently centered around own brands and startups. STRAX sells into all key channels ranging from telecom operators, mass merchants and consumer electronics to lifestyle retailers and direct to consumers online. STRAX was founded in Miami and Hong Kong in 1995 and has since grown across the world. Today, STRAX has over 200 employees in 12 countries with its operational HQ and logistics center based in Germany. STRAX is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm Stock Exchange.

Q3 2019
Pr Q3 2019 Eng

STRAX: URBANISTA CONTINUES TO DELIVER

Urbanista, the lifestyle audio brand owned by STRAX, continues its path towards a record year in 2019.

Following the success of the true wireless headphones Stockholm which remains one of the fundamental products in the Urbanista product portfolio, Urbanista has this fall launched two additional true wireless headphones – Paris and Athens – as well as two true wireless speakers – Sydney and Brisbane – all addressing the true wireless opportunity, the fast growing market segment of the global audio industry.

During the year Urbanista has entered into several important collaborations, for example, launching a limited edition headphones together with the Non-Violence Project, taking a stand for peace, locally and globally. The Projects’ aim is about showing the next generation that conflicts can be solved without violence and that we can all make a difference. Furthermore, Urbanista is one of the main sponsors of the benefit concert organized by the Tim Bergling Foundation in memory of the artist Avicii, as well as sponsoring the foundation itself through direct donation and also sharing a proportion of   sales with the foundation. The sold-out concert on December 5, 2019, is intended to draw attention to mental illness and suicide risks, with artists such as David Guetta, Rita Ora and Kygo performing.

“Urbanista is both evolving and growing as a brand. We are experiencing significant growth in revenues this year and we have a very solid product portfolio, which gives us high hopes for a very strong ending of 2019. Even more exciting is the fact the brand has matured and have a solid product roadmap moving forward. Collaborations such as the contribution to the Tim Bergling Foundation both through sponsoring the benefit concert and through donating part of the Urbanista sales is a great way for us to share some of the success for a very important and worthy cause. We see the progress for Urbanista across all markets and have very positive market share growth data in important markets such as Scandinavia, UK, Germany and recently in the US” says Gudmundur Palmason, CEO STRAX.

For further information please contact Gudmundur Palmason, CEO, STRAX AB, +46 8 545 017 50.
 

About Urbanista
Urbanista make audio products rooted in Scandinavian design. Our products are inspired by cities, freedom and with the urban lifestyle in mind. We design for life in motion and dedicate our products to urban people, no matter where they call home. Urbanista is available online as well as in 20, 000 stores and 80 countries around the world. For more information visit www.urbanista.com

About STRAX
STRAX is a market-leading global company specializing in mobile accessories. STRAX has built a House of Brands to complement its value-added customer specific solutions and services. STRAX House of Brands includes proprietary brands: XQISIT, Urbanista, THOR, CLCKR and licensed brands: adidas and bugatti.
In addition, STRAX represents over 40 major mobile accessory brands. STRAX sells into all key channels ranging from telecom operators, mass merchants and consumer electronics to lifestyle retailers and direct to consumers online. STRAX was founded in Miami and Hong Kong in 1995 and has since grown across the world. Today, STRAX has over 190 employees in 13 countries with its operational HQ and logistics center based in Germany. STRAX is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm Stock Exchange.

PR Urbanista

STRAX: INTERIM REPORT NO 2 FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2019

STRAX Q2 2019 driven by Urbanista and cost reductions implemented in 2018
  • The Group’s sales for the period January 1 – June 30, 2019, amounted to MEUR 44.6 (45.8), corresponding to a decrease of 2.6 percent, with a gross margin of 24.6 (32.5) percent.
  • The Group’s result for the period January 1 – June 30, 2019, amounted to MEUR -3.2 (-0.9) corresponding to EUR -0,02 (0.00) per share. Equity as of June 30 2019 amounted to MEUR 18.3 (20.9) corresponding to EUR 0.17 (0.18) per share.
  • EBITDA for the period January 1 – June 30, 2019, amounted to MEUR 2.1 (2.6).
  • Year over year reduction in OPEX amounts to MEUR 3.2 for H1 2019 as a result of cost reductions implemented in 2018, corresponding to approximately 25 percent, and tracking towards MEUR 7-8 reduction in 2019.
  • Sales and gross margins declined in H1 2019 following the sale of Gear4, as expected. STRAX does not expect sales to materially decline in 2019 despite the sale of Gear4 and gross margin is expected to remain stable or improve in 2019.
  • The positive development of Urbanista continued in Q2 2019 with YoY growth of 80%, creating valuable asset for STRAX.
  • During the first six months interest-bearing debts decreased by MEUR 12 as a result of repayment of loans and lower utilization of working capital lines.
  • With the effective date of April 1, 2019, STRAX acquired all outstanding shares in Brandvault, a business focused on sales through e-commerce marketplaces globally.

    ” I’m pleased with our Q2 2019 performance in a challenging external environment. Most of our geographic markets held up in terms of sales, whilst the strong development for Urbanista with 80% YoY quarterly sales growth increased its significance of sales and profitability for the group. Our aggressive OPEX reduction in 2018 also contributed to profitability during the quarter and we are on track to deliver the previously communicated MEUR 7-8 in cost savings this year”.  

     Gudmundur Palmason, CEO

    For further information please contact Gudmundur Palmason, CEO, STRAX AB, telephone: +46 8 545 017 50

    This is information that Strax AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 08:55 CEST on August 28, 2019.

     

    About STRAX
    STRAX is a market-leading global company specializing in mobile accessories. STRAX has built a House of Brands to complement its value-added customer specific solutions and services. STRAX House of Brands includes proprietary brands: XQISIT, Urbanista, THOR, Clckr and licensed brands: adidas and bugatti. In addition, STRAX represents over 40 major mobile accessory brands. STRAX sells into all key channels ranging from telecom operators, mass merchants and consumer electronics to lifestyle retailers and direct to consumers online. STRAX was founded in Miami and Hong Kong in 1995 and has since grown across the world. Today, STRAX has 190 employees in 13 countries with its operational HQ and logistics center based in Germany. STRAX is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm Stock Exchange.

Q2 2019
pr Q2 2019 Eng

STRAX: URBANISTA ACCELERATES GROWTH AND GAINS IMPRESSIVE MARKET SHARE

Urbanista is a leading lifestyle audio brand in the Nordics making products dedicated to urban lifestyle and inspired by cities around the world. Urbanista has been a wholly owned subsidiary of STRAX since 2014 and has experienced high double-digit growth since the acquisition, primarily driven by the strong Nordic presence.  

Recent data from GfK reveals that Urbanista has established a very strong position in the important and fast growing True Wireless Headsets category with 20 percent of sold units in Sweden in June 2019 and that Urbanista has doubled the market share during the past twelve months in the UK. Urbanista has furthermore had recent success in the US and Canada with the successful launch of the true wireless headset “Stockholm” now sold in more than 3,000 retail outlets.

“We are very pleased with the development of Urbanista since the acquisition in 2014, both as a brand and from a financial perspective. Already in 2018 Urbanista reached a considerable size with a turnover of approximately MEUR 14 with continuous solid profitability. In 2019 growth is at approximately 50 percent so far and increasing, thereof eCommerce growth of 400%, giving us good hopes for a remarkably strong year. Considering Urbanista’s strong position in both online and offline channels I am convinced Urbanista represents a great asset and value for STRAX” says Gudmundur Palmason, CEO STRAX.

For further information please contact Gudmundur Palmason, CEO, STRAX AB, +46 8 545 017 50.

About Urbanista
Urbanista has been making audio products rooted in Scandinavian tradition since 2010. Our products are inspired by cities, freedom and with the urban lifestyle in mind. We design for life in motion and dedicate our products to urban people, no matter where they call home. Urbanista is available online as well as in 20,000 stores and 80 countries around the world. For more information visit www.urbanista.com

About STRAX
STRAX is a market-leading global company specializing in mobile accessories. STRAX has built a House of Brands to complement its value-added customer specific solutions and services. STRAX House of Brands includes proprietary brands: XQISIT, Urbanista, THOR, CLCKR and licensed brands: adidas and bugatti.
In addition, STRAX represents over 40 major mobile accessory brands. STRAX sells into all key channels ranging from telecom operators, mass merchants and consumer electronics to lifestyle retailers and direct to consumers online. STRAX was founded in Miami and Hong Kong in 1995 and has since grown across the world. Today, STRAX has over 190 employees in 13 countries with its operational HQ and logistics center based in Germany. STRAX is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm Stock Exchange.

Press release Urbanista 190730

STRAX: BULLETIN FROM STRAX AB’s ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

At today’s Annual General Meeting in Strax AB (publ) it was resolved to adopt the income statement and the balance sheet for the company, as well as the consolidated income statement and balance sheet for the year 2018. Furthermore, it was resolved that the distributable funds should be transferred to profit carried forward. The Annual General Meeting resolved to discharge the board members and the CEO from liability.

It was resolved that the number of members of the Board of Directors, for the time until the end of the next Annual General Meeting, shall be five (5) ordinary Directors and no deputy Directors. It was resolved, in accordance with the Nomination Committee’s proposal, that Bertil Villard, Anders Lönnqvist, Gudmundur Palmason, Pia Anderberg and Ingvi Tomasson are re-elected as members of the Board of Directors, all for the period until the end of the next Annual General Meeting. It was further resolved that Bertil Villard is re-elected as chairman of the Board of Directors for the period until the end of the next Annual General Meeting. It was further resolved to elect PwC AB, with Niklas Renström as the auditor in charge, as the company’s auditor for the time until the end of the next Annual General Meeting.

It was resolved that each member of the Board of Directors who is considered to be independent in relation to major shareholders, shall receive SEK 150,000, and the chairman of the Board of Directors shall to receive SEK 225,000, as remuneration. It is thus Bertil Villard, Anders Lönnqvist and Pia Anderberg that shall receive remuneration, whereas remuneration to the Board of Directors shall be paid with a total of SEK 525,000. It was further resolved that the remuneration to the auditor, for the time until the end of the next Annual General Meeting, shall be paid as per current approved account.

The Annual General Meeting resolved to adopt the Board of Directors’ proposal regarding guidelines for remuneration for the company’s management and other employees.

It was further resolved, in accordance with the proposal from the Board of Directors, to authorise the Board of Directors to, up until the next Annual General Meeting, on one or several occasions and with or without preferential rights for the shareholders against cash payment or against payment through set-off or in kind, or otherwise on special conditions to issue new shares.

However, such issue of shares must never result in the company’s issued share capital or the number of shares in the company at any time, being increased by more than a total of 10 per cent. The previous authorisation to issue new shares and which was given at last year’s Annual General Meeting, was valid up to this year’s Annual General Meeting and has consequently lapsed.

The Annual General Meeting resolved, in accordance with the Board of Directors’ proposal, to authorise the Board of Directors to resolve on the acquisition and sale of the company’s own shares. The following shall apply for acquisition and sale of the company’s own shares:

Acquisition and sale of own shares shall exclusively take place on Nasdaq Stockholm.

The authorisation may be utilised on one or several occasions until the 2020 Annual General Meeting.

Shares may be acquired to the extent that the company’s holding of its own shares, on any occasion, does not exceed ten (10) per cent of the company’s total shares. Sale may be carried out of not more than the number of shares acquired under this authorisation.

Acquisition and sale of shares may only take place at a price within the price interval, on any occasion, recorded on Nasdaq Stockholm, which refers to the interval between the highest buying price and the lowest selling price.

Additional information regarding the resolutions of the Annual General Meeting can be found in the proposals to the Annual General Meeting, which were prepared and that can be found on the company’s website.

For further information please contact Gudmundur Palmason, CEO, STRAX AB, telephone: +46 8 545 017 50.

About STRAX
STRAX is a market-leading global company specializing in mobile accessories. STRAX has built a House of Brands to complement its value-added customer specific solutions and services. STRAX House of Brands includes proprietary brands: XQISIT, Urbanista, THOR, CLCKR and licensed brands: adidas and bugatti.
In addition, STRAX represents over 40 major mobile accessory brands. STRAX sells into all key channels ranging from telecom operators, mass merchants and consumer electronics to lifestyle retailers and direct to consumers online. STRAX was founded in Miami and Hong Kong in 1995 and has since grown across the world. Today, STRAX has 200 employees in 13 countries with its operational HQ and logistics center based in Germany. STRAX is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm Stock Exchange.

STRAX Bulletin from the AGM

STRAX: INTERIM REPORT NO 1 FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2019

STRAX delivers growth in sales and profitability for its first quarter after divesting Gear4

The Group’s sales for the period January 1 – March 31, 2019, amounted to MEUR 22.6 (22.1), corresponding to a growth of 2.2 percent, with a gross margin of 26.3 (30.4) percent.

The Group’s result for the period January 1 – March 31, 2019, amounted to MEUR
0.2 (-0.7) corresponding to EUR 0.00 (0.00) per share. Equity as of March 31, 2019 amounted to MEUR 21.7 (21.0) corresponding to EUR 0.18 (0.17) per share.

EBITDA for the period January 1 – March 31, 2019, amounted to MEUR 1.4 (1.0).

Year over year reduction in OPEX amounts to MEUR 1.5 for Q1 2019 as a result of the cost reductions implemented in 2018.

STRAX does not expect sales to materially decline in 2019 despite the sale of Gear4 and gross margin is expected to remain stable in 2019.

The positive development for the proprietary and licensed brands continued in Q1 2019 creating valuable assets for STRAX.

STRAX board of directors called for an EGM on December 28, 2018, which resolved on a distribution of SEK 1.10 per share, corresponding to MEUR 12.8 in total value, with distribution to the shareholders completed on January 30, 2019.

During the first quarter interest-bearing debts decreased by MEUR 12.9, as a result of repayment of loans and lower utilization of working capital lines.

With the effective date of April 1, 2019, STRAX acquired all outstanding shares in BrandVault, a business focused on sales through e-commerce marketplaces globally.

”We now report our first full quarter since divesting Gear4 in 2018 and I’m pleased to see that sales have more than held up and that our profitability has improved at the same time, as a result of our headcount reduction and cost saving measures implemented in the second half of last year. During the quarter we also completed the acquisition of BrandVault and therefore continued our push into e-commerce in pursuit of greater channel diversification and growth.”

 Gudmundur Palmason, CEO

 

For further information please contact Gudmundur Palmason, CEO, STRAX AB, telephone:
+46 8 545 017 50.

 

This is information that Strax AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 08:55 CEST on May 22, 2019.

 

About STRAX
STRAX is a market-leading global company specializing in mobile accessories. STRAX has built a House of Brands to complement its value-added customer specific solutions and services. STRAX House of Brands includes proprietary brands: XQISIT, Urbanista, THOR, CLCKR and licensed brands: adidas and bugatti. In addition, STRAX represents over 40 major mobile accessory brands. STRAX sells into all key channels ranging from telecom operators, mass merchants and consumer electronics to lifestyle retailers and direct to consumers online. STRAX was founded in Miami and Hong Kong in 1995 and has since grown across the world. Today, STRAX has 200 employees in 13 countries with its operational HQ and logistics center based in Germany. STRAX is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm Stock Exchange.

STRAX Q1 2019
pr Q1 2019 Eng