Summary of LUK FOOK Holdings Conference Call Company Overview - Company: LUK FOOK Holdings - Industry: Jewelry Retail Key Points and Arguments Impact of VAT Reform - The VAT reform in mainland China has benefited LUK FOOK, as small gold shops faced significant challenges, leading consumers to shift towards branded gold shops for weight-based gold purchases, thus boosting sales for LUK FOOK [2][4] - Despite the challenges, the fixed-price gold segment remains the primary growth driver, with expectations of continued popularity [4] Sales Performance - In October and November 2025, LUK FOOK experienced strong performance in the mainland market, with fixed-price gold sales more than doubling in October due to a price increase announcement [3] - November data showed that weight-based gold sales outperformed fixed-price gold, indicating that the price adjustments did not negatively impact sales significantly [10] Pricing Strategy - The company has raised prices by 7%-8% due to the VAT reform, which is expected to reflect positively in gross margins in the second half of the fiscal year [7][15] Market Expansion Plans - LUK FOOK aims to expand its overseas presence, targeting the opening of 50 new stores in three years, with eight new stores already added by mid-2025, including a new store in Vietnam [8] - The overseas market is performing well and is a key focus for future growth [8] Local Market Strategies - To counteract the decline in tourist spending in Hong Kong, LUK FOOK plans to enhance local consumer marketing strategies [6] - The company is focusing on promoting local consumption to mitigate the impact of reduced mainland tourist spending [6] Performance in Duty-Free Shops - The Hainan duty-free shops have shown exceptional performance, with sales in October and November increasing by approximately 70% year-on-year, particularly in weight-based gold products [12] Challenges and Adjustments - The mainland market saw a net reduction of 179 stores in the first half of 2025, with an expected total of over 200 closures for the year, but a return to net growth is anticipated in fiscal year 2026 [4][18] - The company is also addressing the increased costs from the VAT reform by adjusting pricing strategies to maintain competitiveness [9] Product Performance - The ice diamond series currently accounts for about 4% of total revenue, with growth seen in gold-inlaid diamond products, while 18K gold-inlaid diamond products are experiencing a decline [13] Profitability Outlook - Despite a rise in gold prices in 2025, the increase in gross margin is not expected to match that of 2024. However, the company anticipates that gross margins in the second half of the fiscal year may exceed those in the first half [15][23] Consumer Behavior Insights - The company has noted that consumer sensitivity to price increases is manageable, as evidenced by the performance of weight-based gold sales post-price adjustment [10] Regional Market Differences - The Macau market benefits from a price advantage of over 20% compared to mainland China, attracting more tourists, while Hong Kong's performance is more subdued due to a lower proportion of mainland tourist spending [11] Future Expectations - The company expects strong sales performance during the upcoming Chinese New Year, particularly if Valentine's Day coincides with the holiday, which could further boost sales [24]
六福集团20251203