Relaxo Footwears Ltd
NSE:RELAXO

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Relaxo Footwears Ltd
NSE:RELAXO
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Earnings Call Analysis

Q2-2024 Analysis
Relaxo Footwears Ltd

Revenue and EBITDA Growth Amid Challenges

The company reported a revenue of INR 715 crores in Q2 FY'24, marking a 7% growth from the previous year, with a robust EBITDA increase of 54% to INR 92 crores. The EBITDA margin expanded significantly to 12.8% from 8.9%. For the first half of FY'24, revenue was up 9% to INR 1,454 crores, and EBITDA surged 37% to INR 199 crores. The capital expenditure stood at INR 56 crores as of September 30, '23. Looking ahead, the company anticipates double-digit revenue growth in H2 but recognizes margin pressures, targeting 14-plus EBITDA margin and maintaining around 65% capacity utilization. They are focused on distribution expansion and product premiumization, with special emphasis on open footwear, which represents 80% of sales in contrast to 20% from closed footwear. The company adheres to the new BIS standards, which will be mandatory from January, and is a beneficial move for compliant brands against unorganized competitors.

A Vision of Significant Growth Despite Current Market Challenges

Gaurav Dua, an executive of the company, painted a picture of significant potential for growth in their product category, sighting aspirations to reach revenues around INR 1,000 crores in the next 2 to 3 years. However, he tempered this ambition with a dose of current market realities, noting that the expected uptick in the market hadn't materialized as forecasted due to factors such as inauspicious periods like Pitru Paksha and untimely rains which have hindered retail and distribution feedback. With the festive season around the corner, notably Diwali in November, there's optimism for an improved market response.

Steady Margins in the Face of Distributor Demands

In terms of profitability, the company has maintained fixed margins for its distributors over the past 4 to 5 years despite persistent requests for increased margins. This has been true even for their sportswear segment, suggesting a discipline and consistency in the company's margin strategy. Nevertheless, there's an acknowledgment that the market remains challenging, which has translated into less than encouraging growth in the sports footwear domain over the last 7 months.

Recovery in Open Footwear Volume

The company has observed a recovery in volume sales for open footwear, a segment which had experienced a substantial drop of 20% to 25% the previous year. Notably, popular lines such as Hawaii and Flite have bounced back, indicating resilience and an ability to recapture market share that was temporarily lost.

Minimal Impact from UK FDI

When addressing the potential benefits from UK FDI, the executive noted a limited impact. The company's strategy appears to be shifting away from traditional leather footwear, which is more prevalent in European markets including the UK, towards non-leather offerings. This would suggest a pivot in product strategy that aligns less with the conventional leather footwear market that might benefit from such foreign direct investments.

Strategic Push Towards Premiumization

The company is actively working to raise the average selling price (ASP) of its products, aiming to push its portfolio up from sub-INR 200 ASP open footwear towards a greater portion priced in the INR 500-plus range. Recent launches of higher-priced ranges, such as Urban Basic under the Flite brand and further developments in the Sparx portfolio, suggest a clear move towards premiumization. The executive noted that these efforts are part of an ongoing strategy to upscale the portfolio and improve ASPs in the future.

Long-term Projection for Premier Product Contribution

While currently, premium products account for roughly 10% of the company's revenues, there is a projected shift over the longer term. Executives echoed the sentiment that the premium segment could grow to represent 30-35% of their business in a horizon of 4 to 5 years, marking a significant transition towards a higher-margin, premium-focused product mix.

Earnings Call Transcript

Earnings Call Transcript
2024-Q2

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Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to Relaxo Footwears Limited Q2 FY '24 Conference Call hosted by IDBI Capital Markets and Securities Limited. [Operator Instructions] Please note that this conference is being recorded.

I now hand the conference over to Ms. Archana Gude from IDBI Capital Markets and Securities Limited. Thank you, and over to you, ma'am.

A
Archana Gude
analyst

Thank you so much. Good evening, everyone. On behalf of IDBI Capital Markets and Securities Limited, I'd like to welcome you all to the Q2 FY '24 Post-results Conference Call of Relaxo Footwears Limited. From the management side, we have with us Mr. Ramesh Kumar Dua, Managing Director; Mr. Gaurav Dua, Whole-Time Director; Mr. Ritesh Dua, Executive Vice President, Finance; Mr. Sushil Batra, Chief Financial Officer; and Mr. Ankiit Jain, Company Secretary. We begin the call with a brief discussion from the management, and then we can open the floor for Q&A.

Thank you, and over to Sushil, sir.

S
Sushil Batra
executive

Thank you, Archana. Good evening, everyone, and thank you for joining us on our Q2 FY '24 earnings call to discuss the financial and operational performance of the company. We have already uploaded the earnings press release and investor presentation on the stock exchange as well as at our website. And hope you have had the opportunity to go through both. Before we begin the question-and-answer session, let me give some highlights on Q2 and H1 FY '24 financial performance of the company, beginning with Q2. Revenue in Q2 FY '24 was at INR 715 crores, up 7% from INR 670 crores Q2 FY '23. We witnessed strong demand during the quarter, which has led to a strong recovery in volume driven by open footwear.

EBITDA recorded a strong 54% Y-o-Y growth at INR 92 crores as against INR 59 crores in the corresponding quarter of last year, softening of raw material prices and better operational efficiency due to economies of scale enabled us to enhance our EBITDA margin by 392 basis points in this quarter. EBITDA margin was at 12.8% in Q2 FY '24 as against 8.9% in Q2 FY '23, at almost doubled in this quarter at INR 44 crores as against INR 22 crores in Q2 FY '23. That margin stood at 6.2%, up 283 basis from 3.3% in Q2 FY '23.

In H1 FY '24, we recorded a revenue of INR 1,454 crores, with INR 37 crores in H1 FY '23, an increase of 9% year-on-year basis. EBITDA was at INR 199 crores from INR 146 crores in the same period of last year, up by 37%. EBITDA margin was at 13.7% as compared to 10.9% in H1 FY '23 and expansion of

[Audio Gap]

the company incurred CapEx of INR 56 crores as on 31 September, '23, we remain a net debt-free company with positive cash from operations. We remain committed to provide quality product right for evolving customer needs with focus on premium and innovative products. We continue to expand our strong distribution network with special attractions on channel and e-commerce.

Thank you. Now we can open floor for questions.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] First question is from the line of Onkar Ghugardare from Shree Investments.

U
Unknown Analyst

My question is regarding -- last year, you were talking about premiumization of...

Operator

Onkar, your audio is sounding a bit distant?

U
Unknown Analyst

Am I clear? I was asking about. Last year, you were talking about premiumization of the entire product category. But since last year, you have taken price corrections. So exactly what kind of strategy you are looking at a higher number of pairs to be sold and with less value or other way around? That's the first question.

S
Sushil Batra
executive

This is Ramesh Kumar Dua. Last year we did some price correction before that we had lost some market share competition. After price correction, we are regained our market share so our volume growth has -- is more than 20%. As far as premiumization is concerned, focus is there in Sparx, in Bahamas. And already we are having a good traction of these premium articles. So that focus is there, and it will continue.

U
Unknown Analyst

But the loss of market share was Q2 higher prices of your products? Or was there any other reason for that?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

No. Last year, because of higher, we had a lot of old stock, what you call it, costly inventory in the system because our industry operates on a lot of import materials. We have to have a supply chain of around 6 months of that material. So that is why it took some time to consume. Meanwhile, market rate has fallen. But now we have our inventory in the system now it is comfortable.

U
Unknown Analyst

Sir, the second question is on the revenue of the company. So what kind of revenue you are expecting in the second half?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

We're expecting the double-digit growth in the second half.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Just a last question on ROE and ROCE, which has been falling from last 2, 3 years. What's your strategy on that front?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

Sadly, because our margins are under pressure. So once things will settle, definitely ROE and ROI will be better because then capacity utilization and more earning will be there, that percentage will improve with our performance.

U
Unknown Analyst

So regarding that, what kind of margins are sustainable? Now you have clarity on this?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

Just -- 14-plus EBITDA.

U
Unknown Analyst

EBITDA, 14-plus-percent.

S
Sushil Batra
executive

Yes.

U
Unknown Analyst

So you are expecting this margin in the upcoming quarters? Or like -- because the current margin is less than the margin which you are projecting?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

You're right. But when the volumes go up, our sales go up, then H2 is going to be better than H1. So things will improve.

U
Unknown Analyst

Yes. Due to operating leverage, you will gain the margin, right?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

Automatically because of operating leverage, our EBITDA will improve.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. So what's the capacity utilization you are working at currently until at Q2, what was it? And what do you expect to be?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

Eventually, it is 63% utilization.

U
Unknown Analyst

That is for Q2, are talking, right?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

It's H1, we are talking about. It is around 63%.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. So what kind of capacity utilization you see will work with going forward?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

It remains around 65%.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Aliasgar Shakir from Motilal Oswal.

A
Aliasgar Shakir
analyst

I had a question on your close footwear. So we had a very good trade show, I think, a couple of months back where we had displayed the entire range of our close sportswear. So I just wanted to understand a couple of things. First is, I mean, Q3 typically is your large quarter for sportswear. So how is the initial response? And I mean, what is the kind of demand and growth that we are seeing are a composition of first sportswear I think, correct me if I'm wrong, its somewhere about INR 250 crores, INR 300 crores.

So what kind of growth we expect? And I mean, our competitor has had a significant size, and I think we've also had aspiration to grow significantly. So do you think that this is a category which can be somewhere close to like a INR 100 crores contributor to you in probably a few years? I'll stop here.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

This is Gaurav Dua. And you are right that this category has huge potential to grow. And what you're saying INR 1,000 crores, maybe in 2, 3 years, we will definitely plan to grow to that level. And regarding the market situation, as you know, the market is still not picked up what we were expecting. So we have done a lot of retail needs across India and distributor needs. So the initial response because of this Pitru Paksha and untimely rains has not -- market has still not given some feedback till now in terms of uptake in the market. It's too early, Diwali is in November. So we are expecting November should be better.

A
Aliasgar Shakir
analyst

Got it. So I mean our base would be very low. So of course, from that base, we should see a very good performance even in Q3. And just a follow-up over there is that 1 feedback on the ground is that the margins in sportswear is not very compelling and therefore, relapse to sportswear is not well received by the distributors and retailers. So have we made any changes over there? And do you think we have addressed the issues at the distributor level?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

No. So we have made no changes since last 4, 5 years. And regarding distributors, they're always compliant about margin. That is the trade habit, they need more margins. So we're having the fixed margin, which we have not changed from last 5 years.

A
Aliasgar Shakir
analyst

Even in the sportswear?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

Yes, yes. It's same. It's same. We have not change.

A
Aliasgar Shakir
analyst

Got it. Okay. And in Q3, from the last year's base, do you think this quarter will -- I mean, considering the kind of market weaknesses there, we should expect things to only recover after a couple of quarters, you think Q3 because of a low base, we can expect strong growth from sportswear.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

So we are keeping our fingers crossed, and the last 7 months has not so encouraging in terms of the uptake of this sports footwear. The market is still a little challenging. So we are just hoping for the best that this should now pick up. It will be 7 months like market is not responding.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Yash Morey from RV Investments.

U
Unknown Analyst

Sir, my first question is regarding the market. You have gained the lost market share. So what's your current market share?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

In volume, if you talk about at the company level, last year, we see we loss around 20%, 25% in volume drop was there in open footwear, which caused Hawaii and Flite that only we have regained it back. So there is a 27% in H1 growth in volume, you can see that. What share we lost, last year, we had gained it back.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Regarding the FDI, do we see any benefit from the U.K. FDI?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

And can you repeat the question, it's not clear.

U
Unknown Analyst

I was asking about the U.K. FDI. What's the position -- what's our position? And what are we doing regarding the FDI, what benefits do we see?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

Sorry, I'm not able to understand your question, but you're saying FDI, U.K. FDI, what's this? Can you, please -- can you repeat the question?

U
Unknown Analyst

Yes, sure. What I'm asking is what are benefits with relation to FDI, the U.K. FDI.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

Talking about a frequent agreement with U.K.

U
Unknown Analyst

Yes, yes.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

Not much. Not much. These European markets or the U.K. market had been more footwear sense could be more for leather footwear. But we are moving to non-leather footwear. So that's why it may not be any impact on us or effect.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Abhishek Getam from Alpha Invesco.

A
Abhishek Getam
analyst

Am I audible?

Operator

Slightly there's a background disturbance, Abhishek, please unmute your mic and then you speak.

A
Abhishek Getam
analyst

Yes. Is it better? Yes. Sir, my question was regarding premiumization strategy. So largely, our open footwear are sub INR 200 ASP. So what are our plans going ahead to bring whole portfolio level or footwear level to a higher ASP? I mean, sort of the whole company portfolio in the range of INR 500-plus ASP. And what strategy would be for, I mean, Tier 1 or Tier 2, 3?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

So if you remember, we have taken the last price cut of rationalize price in September. So since then the prices were less now, if you see October that ASP has increased. And regarding the penalization, we have for brands like in Flite, we have launched Urban Basic, which is again INR 400-plus MRP. And we are working on the portfolio of Sparx, which is more than INR 1,000 to INR 1,500 MRP. So we are continuously working on our portfolio increase make it -- increase the ASP and improve on premiumization.

A
Abhishek Getam
analyst

Understood. Sir, what part would be INR 500-plus ASP contributing to our revenues?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

20%? 10%?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

10%.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

It's roughly around 10%.

U
Unknown Analyst

10%. And where do we see this to achieve our -- involved in terms. And do we see this to improve this 50% sort of in a longer-term horizon, 5 year plus?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

No, no.

S
Sushil Batra
executive

Our 80% as on day business comes from open footwear. Company is focused on serving markets. 20% is coming from our other -- the close footwear. So that is why average comes out low. But our focus is there on premiumization, whether it is Bahamas, Flite or Sparx. So maybe 20% of that, that will ultimately build up premium.

A
Abhishek Getam
analyst

Right. Sir, down the line, like for 4, 5 years down the line, we can expect it to 30%, 35% sort of contributing.

S
Sushil Batra
executive

So we have to see how the thing -- I mean, what kind of traction we get from these categories.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Priyank Chheda from Vallum Capital.

P
Priyank Chheda
analyst

Sir, my -- there's an observation where your volumes have remained flat over the quarter since COVID at an average of 45 million, 50 million pairs per quarter. And this has been the trend for the sector also. It's not only pertaining to Relaxo as such. Can you help us understand why this is -- why the volumes haven't picked at the consumer level, what are the key factors? I mean, that's driving such a muted demand?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

See, there was an up and down since COVID, the first wave, second wave, third wave. So things have not stabilized, and then the price increase was in 2022, '23 because of war. So it's been like the last 3, 4 years, the industry has been taking a lot of turmoil. Now this year, we were expecting that the industry will grow, but last 6, 7 months are not that there's no sign of huge uptake in the market because of, again, untimely rains, inflation pressure in rural India. So that's why the industry is struggling to grow to that level.

P
Priyank Chheda
analyst

So if I have to, again, summarize the price increases that you saw in FY '23 led to poor demand in volume. And then again, in FY '24, the volume pickup hasn't been seen yet.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

Yes, yes, you're right. That's why we are able to get that volume back of 30% growth.

P
Priyank Chheda
analyst

Got it. So there has been a BIS standard that has been implemented in the footwear. If you can help us, what would be the implication for us as well as for the industry? How do you see this shaping up for the industry as well?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

Yes, it is going to become mandatory from January. This guided '24. So whatever products we are making, specifications of that government has a number of times revised. Now we are working on that little specification. And we are quite ready to follow the government revolution from January.

P
Priyank Chheda
analyst

Does this mean sir that a lot of China footwear imports will get reduced? And if you can help us quantify how much would be China imports in footwear, which would not fall under this BIS standard?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

No, no, no. Even whatever goods will be coming to our country everything has to be as per BIS standards. Nothing will come out of this.

P
Priyank Chheda
analyst

Got it. Got it. So would this mean that not unorganized players who would not be able to cater the standards would lose our market share and in turn be beneficial for brands like you?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

We think so.

P
Priyank Chheda
analyst

Okay, okay. Sir, just a book keeping question on Sparx brand sales, if you can help us on an annualized basis, what would be the Sparx brand sales. And yes, that's the question.

S
Sushil Batra
executive

Around 37% -- between 35% to 40% share will go through Sparx brand.

P
Priyank Chheda
analyst

And within that, what would be the closed and open sandals and sport to break up roughly.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

Overall, 20% is our close footwear and 80% is our open footwear.

S
Sushil Batra
executive

And in Sparx, it is 50-50, 50 open, 50 close.

P
Priyank Chheda
analyst

50 is close footwear. All right. All right.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Manan Madlani from KamayaKya Wealth Management.

M
Manan Madlani
analyst

Sir, my question is around our raw material side. So what kind of scenario are you seeing?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

At the moment, for the last few months, prices have stabilized by and large.

M
Manan Madlani
analyst

Okay. So going forward, do we expect gradual gross margin improvement from here onwards?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

Yes. Actually, maybe always we have to be watchful of the market condition, competition, how it is. So -- and keep our prices competitive. And we keep on watching this every quarter by quarter. And when the volume grows automatically, our margin also grows along with it. At the moment, for the past 6 months or so, situation has been quite challenging, sentiments are low, particularly from rural markets, mass segment. But with the volume growth, our margin will definitely improve further.

M
Manan Madlani
analyst

Okay. Sir, we were doing some general check. And we realize that there is some price difference across majorly all categories between our EBOs and our website. So what is the strategy behind that?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

No. No. We have 1 price only across all channels.

M
Manan Madlani
analyst

Okay. So we might have to check again because we were doing some general checks and there was some...

S
Sushil Batra
executive

One article, we have 1 price throughout India as well as all channels.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Ankit Kedia from PhillipCapital.

A
Ankit Kedia
analyst

Sir, my first question is regarding the price action, given that the underlying demand in mass segment is currently subdued. And given that the RM cost is on a declining or stable trajectory, can we say that price action be upwards or downwards is not behind and this price stability will come in the market or in next 2 quarters, if the demand doesn't revive, you could take some price correction as well to gain market share.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

So we are not going to take any more price correction because raw material prices have been stabilized. And there is a -- we don't see that there will be increase in any raw material price. So our focus is on distribution expansion.

A
Ankit Kedia
analyst

Sure. And sir on distribution expansion, we are going for direct reach now. So if you can just give some color today where we are. And in the next 1 year, 2 years, what is the target, what we are looking at?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

So like there's quite -- in India, we have a lot of white spaces across the country. So we are going to have a secondary focus, secondary distribution approach rather than like a primary push. So there is a whole strategy working behind how to increase our footprint across India.

A
Ankit Kedia
analyst

Sir, can you elaborate on this strategy, it will help us understand the business better?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

So like we have discussed earlier also that there are 1 lakh outlets, MBO outlets in India. So currently, we are at 65,000 outlets. So every year, we're going to add more and more outlets to grow.

A
Ankit Kedia
analyst

Sure. Sir, my second question is regarding EVA and PU. Are you seeing both these products seeing some pressure or EVA is doing better than PU and PU is where there is some impact of demand?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

No, we are seeing both are growing equally. And I think both have a good future. So it's not like 1 is good, 1 is not good.

A
Ankit Kedia
analyst

Sure. And sir, my last question is color Hawaii versus noncolor Hawaii. Color Hawaii, we have seen more competition from Aqualite, Walkaroo and others. While in non-colored, you are pretty much the market leader. So anything we are doing on color Hawaii to gain market share?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

So as you know, we have a brand called Bahamas, which is in colored Hawaii. So -- and we are growing well in that category. Last year, there was a struggle because of huge MRP. Now it has been cleared or old stock has been cleared, and we are able to get the market share back.

A
Ankit Kedia
analyst

And sir, what will be our Bahamas contribution, if you can give us growth between the brands, it would be helpful between what was the Sparx growth for the quarter, half year versus Bahamas and Flite?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

So if I talk about volume in Hawaii and Bahamas, both is upward of 20%, the volume growth we have done.

A
Ankit Kedia
analyst

Sir, so even the company volume growth is pretty much in the same trajectory. So where is the pressure coming from because at the company level, we have done 23% volume growth odd.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

Pressure is coming from -- it's more of like a Sparx brand, the close footwear because season has just started. The last 6 months, it was a more of open footwear. Now the season has started for close footwear. So let us see how this quarter and next quarter goes.

A
Ankit Kedia
analyst

And sir, with the new capacity coming in now on stream and with the new product, the response being good. Where do you think -- what changes assuming the market stays where they are, what is in your hands to drive demand in the market from closed footwear perspective? Is it the competitive intensity is very strong? Will you add do more promotional activities on the ground, spend more on brand ambassadors to gain market share? Because assuming the market stays the way it is for the next 6 months to 9 months.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

So whatever you have said, all activities we are in the process of doing, be it spend on BTL, ATL, driving mode, launching mode, articles, doing NPD meets, distributor meet, retailer meets. So everything is like -- because if Q3 is a season for close footwear. So all activities are aligned to get the growth in this quarter.

A
Ankit Kedia
analyst

Sir, but for winter is just around the corner so your primary push would have happened in the month of October. So if you can just share how has been the October months progress for close footwear. If you can help us understand how the underlying growth is coming for the season.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

Since we have mentioned before that there is a lot of competition unorganized and organized have entered in this category. So we are facing -- we are seeing like a lot of discounts are being offered by unorganized and other players who have entered in the market. So it's not going to be too easy to win this market. So let us see how this 2, 3 months goes.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Harsh from Marcellus.

H
Harsh Shah
analyst

So I see that there has been some changes in the top management and Mr. Shravan Kumar Singh is saying, if he is to be the K&P of the company. So just wanted to ask, like, does he continue to be an employer at Relaxo what really happened? And have you identified a replacement for him?

R
Ramesh Dua
executive

He has come -- senior management is -- so he joined as a New Product Development Head, yes.

H
Harsh Shah
analyst

Someone else has joined as the New Product Development Head?

R
Ramesh Dua
executive

It is with us. He has joined as a New Product Development Head. He is part of our senior management.

A
Ankiit Jain
executive

This is Ankiit Jain, Company Secretary. I just want to update that due to some internal change in role and responsibility, extra shareholder market has stepped down under the PU management category, but he will be continuing as NPD Head of the company. This is the internal decision of the management. But he is continuing as VP NPD.

H
Harsh Shah
analyst

Okay. So does the role of VP NPD has been shifted from being a senior management role.

A
Ankiit Jain
executive

Yes, yes. He is not in senior management list, but he is a part of company only, he is the Head of the NPD.

H
Harsh Shah
analyst

Okay. Got it. Got it. And sir, after taking the price cuts last year, you have seen that we have gained market share, especially in the Flite and Bahamas category. You reckon this market share gain story will continue in the ensuing quarters as well?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

Yes, definitely will continue. And we'll give market share, correct.

H
Harsh Shah
analyst

So to that extent, your volume growth will keep on coming right and in the next quarter, the rev in spite of the industry being a bit capable right now.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

See, whatever like I have mentioned before also, last price cut rationalization were in September. So this kind of volume will not be there. The growth will be best. So volume growth is -- 27% is, I don't think, say, in next 2 quarters.

S
Sushil Batra
executive

15%.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

Maybe 15%. Not that much because the gap was in first 6 months.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Akhil Parekh from Centrum Broking.

A
Akhil Parekh
analyst

Sir, my first question is, what could be the possible reasons for the demand weakness now given that we have already taken price correction. And it's almost 2 quarters now. So if you can highlight like broader reasons the revenue, why the demand continues to be weak in RF?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

So consumer sentiment has been sluggish in the mass segment, and that we are witnessing across the country. And our whole footwear category, we are seeing that the sentiments are not that great. So that's why if the industry does not grow, then there will be a little challenge. And we have seen this because of monsoon, inflation, that rural market is definitely not responding.

A
Akhil Parekh
analyst

Okay. Okay. So that I understand that the sluggish is there in mass segment. But unfortunately, none of the companies have been able to clarify like what are the clear reasons why we are seeing this pressure given that the inflation has already started to receive.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

Yes, yes. But the demand that rural market should also be there. We are seeing that walk-ins of consumers are not that, which was before. So maybe discretion spend at rural level is not there. You can assume that.

A
Akhil Parekh
analyst

Okay. Sir, has that started to improve now given the festival already started? Do you see that improvement now in the month of October?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

See it's too early to comment upon it. We are waiting for this season. This is important -- maybe November, December, things may improve.

A
Akhil Parekh
analyst

Okay. Sure. Second is just update on the DMS 2.0 implementation, which we have been talking about since last few quarters. Have you seen any -- I mean how far we have reached in terms of implementation? And are we seeing any positive impact because one common feedback you were getting is the wholesale were undercutting on pricing base maybe you can just highlight something on the DMS 2.0.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

So DMS 2.0 now 50% of our distributors, we have implemented this 2.0. And our plan is in the next 3 months, we'll make it 100%. Regarding price cut, price cut by distributor, it is -- we have not seen that, but maybe it's not in the DMS that they can cut the price. DMS is just to get the inventory and how we can do secondary with them and align our schemes accordingly. DMS is not implemented to control the distributed discount to the retailer. Yes, it is maybe to drive the secondary and have the control of how things are going.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Onkar from Shree Investments.

U
Unknown Analyst

I just wanted to know what are the export percentages of the revenue currently? And what kind of support you have and the margin profile over there?

R
Ramesh Dua
executive

Yes. In this quarter also, in H1, if you say around, we have a 4% contribution, and we expect to have this kind of percentage maintenance in future as well, maybe little bit can have more because the growth is a little better compared to other channels. So we will be able to get a little better percentage as a contribution.

U
Unknown Analyst

So just wanted to know what is the margin profile over there as compared to the domestic market?

R
Ramesh Dua
executive

It is in line of the -- like with domestic we are earning in the same lines, margins in exports as well.

U
Unknown Analyst

So they are same, right?

R
Ramesh Dua
executive

Yes.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Maybe given the capacity utilization at 63%, 64%, is it possible to post exports a little bit given the push of the government to the sector as well?

R
Ramesh Dua
executive

We have been doing that because whenever we have started the exports, we have been doing in our own brand. So wherever we are putting our products in whichever markets, and we are getting good traction, and we are able to get sustained growth.

U
Unknown Analyst

And what's the percentage of online sales currently?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

So we are doing roughly around 12%, the contribution of online and new channel.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. And how it has gone up or gone down since COVID?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

So if we compare with the last year, it is same. As what I was talking earlier also that industry is not going -- they're also feeling the pressure. So the growth is same. It's not that we are able to grow more. So however, we are adopting a cautious approach also in this e-commerce is because it's a very important channel for to drive future growth.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Jasdeep Walia from Clockvine.

J
Jasdeep Walia
analyst

Sir, what has been the growth in Sparx brand in the first half of FY '24?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

It is mostly -- hello. Sparx brand has not grown. It is just because our competition intensity was there. Some of the segments like SMG category has grown. And now if festival season is starting, but delayed also. Now November onward, we are optimistic that this will grow.

J
Jasdeep Walia
analyst

First half sales are broadly flat, 0 growth Y-o-Y.

S
Sushil Batra
executive

Don't know. Maybe 3%, 4%.

J
Jasdeep Walia
analyst

Okay. Got it, sir. And what are the plans to increase the number of EBOs in the second half of FY '24?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

We are having a little cautious approach. Things are -- we are doing to improve our program, improve the consumer, all went into friendliness, training the staff and also trying to find out how to improve efficiency of these -- our retail outlets. And then we plan for expanding the network of the retail outlets.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Archana Gude from IDBI Capital Markets.

A
Archana Gude
analyst

Just 1 question from my side. So what is the revenue on the geographic basis? And what are the efforts you are putting in to increase our market share results?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

So if you see, we are doing 45% coming from North zone, followed by East zone of 22%, then West 20% and 15% is South. So in South market, there is a challenge of growth because the demand is subdued, specifically in South market.

A
Archana Gude
analyst

So that would be for both the categories, open and close?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

Yes. Yes, correct.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Sachee Trivedi from Trident Capital.

S
Sachee Trivedi
analyst

Can you hear me?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

Yes.

S
Sachee Trivedi
analyst

The question I have is that any -- in previous earnings call, you have indicated that Sparx revenue will go from INR 400 crores to around INR 1,000 crores over the next 2, 3 years, which I think was around FY '26. Can that say something on your -- in your plans? And if yes, then how do you plan to execute towards this goal?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

Though this year has been a little challenging, but our focus on premiumization is particularly in Sparx category and particularly on shoes. And we are getting -- this year, where we still got a premium articles in Sparx, getting a good traction. Based on our experience, we are focusing on this and likely to grow but not remain in this year. It is a year of stabilization and improvement learning. And holding then we'll open up our retail outlets also, we will utilize e-commerce also. But things will go accordingly.

S
Sachee Trivedi
analyst

Okay. Your other expenses has gone up 24% year-on-year. I'm assuming this is sales and marketing information, is this Flite brand? Or is this for everything, all the product categories?

S
Sushil Batra
executive

All brands. All brans are being, I would say, marketing expense trends are in all, all brands.

S
Sachee Trivedi
analyst

Okay. Now in terms of your distribution channels, you have the MBO, you have the EBO and you have the online channel. Do you think you should be looking at a differential pricing across the 3 channels given that the customers that comes to your e-commerce channel is very different from a customer that comes to your MBO channel?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

So if you see instead of having different pricing, we have different brand offering. So the Sparx is more relevant for EBO and online because it's more than INR 1,000 MRP. And for the mass market or MBO outlet, which has 1 lakh outlet across India, for them, we have Hawaii and we have Flite and Bahamas brand. So we have segmented brands according to the price rather than giving the different discounts.

S
Sachee Trivedi
analyst

Got it. And then 1 question on your MBO market, particularly in the rural segment. Should we consider it as a consumer discretionary spend? Or is it actually an important spend because if somebody chappal is broken then they need to replace it. And -- then the question is why are they not, the brand to replace chappal and can go on online?

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

See, what we have seen is that because of inflation, see their business have been a little reduced. So that's what we are saying is that the payments are not coming from the distributor and from the retailers. So because of inflation and their discretion spend going down, so they are collective in buying. That is the trend from last 6 months, but we are hoping that this will improve because of festive season coming and stabilization of prices are there raw material has been stabilized. So there should be an uptick in the demand.

S
Sachee Trivedi
analyst

So that is assuming that this is a continued discretionary spend. And I'm wondering if in the rural market, this is actually a consumer staple item.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

So if you have seen, we have grown in volume. So we have definitely gained the market share there also. But Sparx is a category where we are seeing the spend because it is more of discretionary where this buying as we look.

S
Sachee Trivedi
analyst

Last question, like your Relaxo brand Bahamas and Flite, particularly where you are selling to the consumer and many times in the call, you have mentioned that, that is where you're seeing a slowdown, and we are hoping the festival season will see an uptick. And I'm challenging that part. I'm asking if actually Relaxo chappal a consumer staple item for that market.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

So we agree with the market shares have been growing. We are growing in that space. But the industry also has to grow. There should be a huge demand from the consumer side. So all categories will grow. We are not facing any challenge in open footwear.

S
Sachee Trivedi
analyst

Okay. Okay. All right. And how flattened the success of our different programs and initiatives that you have currently put into place? What is the number, what is the metric that need track on a regular basis.

S
Sushil Batra
executive

Can you repeat your question, please?

S
Sachee Trivedi
analyst

What -- how are you tracking the progress of the various initiatives that you have put in place right now, to get back some of that revenue growth, what metrics do you follow very closely.

S
Sushil Batra
executive

Through DMS, we are able to know how well the retail outlets are being sold. So month after month, we see category-wise, region-wise. So that is a parameter we. More retailers -- our distributors are able to serve. So that means our reach is increasing.

G
Gaurav Dua
executive

We keep on monitoring the reach of our SOs also direct range we talk about, that they are visiting 60,000 outlets. So that has been monitored every month. How productive the calls are, what are the orders they are taking, how they help by secondary, how we are fulfilling the demand. So it's a monthly process.

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, as there are no further questions from the participants. I now hand the conference back to the management for the closing comments. Thank you, and over to you.

R
Ramesh Dua
executive

Thank you all for joining the call. This is all from our side. Looking forward to joining you again. Thank you very much.

Operator

Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of IDBI Capital Markets and Securities Limited, that concludes this conference. Thank you all for joining us, and you may now disconnect your lines.

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