RNS Number:2798T
Slimma PLC
16 December 2003

Issued by Citigate Dewe Rogerson Limited, Birmingham
Date: Tuesday, 16 December 2003
Embargoed: 7.00am

                                   Slimma plc
                              Preliminary Results
                       for the year ended 3 October 2003

                         
                               Financial Year   Financial Year   Financial Year
                                       2002/3           2002/3           2001/2
                          (Before exceptional
                                       costs)

Turnover                              #28.52m          #28.52m          #31.30m

Operating Profit                       #1.06m           #0.50m           #1.62m

Pre-tax Profit                         #0.95m           #0.39m           #1.50m

EPOS                                    6.37p            2.59p            9.84p
                                   
Interim Dividend (per share)                             1.00p            1.50p

Final Dividend                                           2.00p            2.50p

Total Dividend for Year (per share)                      3.00p            4.00p

Re-organisation of UK manufacturing operation now complete

Branded businesses now comprise 67% of total sales


"Reorganisation is almost complete in the Frank Usher and Slimma Fashion
divisions and our latest acquisition, Peter Martin, has made an excellent start,
including a successful launch in Italy for the Spring/Summer 2004 season. Our
Slimma branded Mail Order Division has also received a positive reaction to its
Spring/Summer 2004 range from its key customers."
                                                           Alan D Webb, Chairman

                            FULL STATEMENT ATTACHED

Enquiries:
Alan Webb, Chairman
Stephen Thwaite, Chief Executive            Katie Dale, Account Manager
Slimma plc                                  Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Today: 0207 629 9696                        Today: 0207 629 9696
Thereafter: 01538 399141                    Mobile: 07980 274 790
www.slimma.com                              Thereafter: 0121 455 8370
----------------

                                      -2-

                                   Slimma plc
                              Preliminary Results
                       for the year ended 3 October 2003

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN, ALAN D WEBB

As reported in my half-year statement, the ongoing pressure on prices and
margins from our high street customers, combined with rising UK employment
costs, has resulted in the closure of the majority of our remaining UK
manufacturing unit. This action, which will help to support margins, has
increased our offshore manufactured sales to 98%. In addition to this, we have
moved a number of our technical support areas from the UK to our offshore
suppliers, particularly in our Slimma owned brands businesses. Unfortunately,
this has resulted in further redundancies but it will generate fairly
substantial reductions in future operating costs. As a consequence of these
necessary actions, exceptional costs of #563k were incurred in the year.

Our branded businesses now comprise 67% of total sales. Reorganisation is almost
complete in the Frank Usher and Slimma Fashion divisions and our latest
acquisition, Peter Martin, has made an excellent start, including a successful
launch in Italy for the Spring/Summer 2004 season. Our Slimma branded Mail Order
Division has also received a positive reaction to its Spring/Summer 2004 range
from its key customers.

As previously stated, our high street business suffered a setback with a
significant reduction in sales to one of our key customers, owing to strong
competition from the customer's peer group, and sizeable one-off additional
discounts we had to pay to a number of customers. I am pleased to say, however,
that during the year we have secured two important new customers to Slimma
though we do not expect to fully recover the lost sales until 2005.

Strong financial controls contributed to year-end net-debt being significantly
down on last year at #1.30m (2002: #2.62m).

The Board is recommending a final dividend payment of 2.00 pence per share
(2002: 2.50 pence). This, together with an Interim dividend of 1.00 pence (2002:
1.50 pence) per share, makes a total of 3.00 pence per share for the year.

It is too early to say whether the current interest rate rise and those expected
in the new financial year will dampen consumer spend and adversely affect sales,
though you can be assured that confidence in our strategy continues unabated by
the recent and forecast economic conditions.

                                      -3-

                                   Slimma plc

PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
53 week period ended 3 October 2003
                            
                         Note       Before   Exceptional   53 weeks     52 weeks
                               Exceptional         Items      ended        ended               
                                     Items       (Note 3) 3 October 27 September  
                                                               2003         2002
                                     #'000         #'000      #'000        #'000
TURNOVER - continuing
operations                          27,480             -    27,480        31,309
         - acquisitions    2         1,044             -     1,044             -
                                   ---------     ---------  --------  ----------
                                    28,524             -    28,524        31,309
Cost of sales                      (16,766)         (228)  (16,994)      (18,786)
                                   ---------     ---------  --------  ----------
Gross profit                        11,758          (228)   11,530        12,523
                                   ---------     ---------  --------  ----------
Selling and
distribution                        (8,679)         (251)   (8,930)       (8,657)
costs

Administrative expenses             (2,053)          (84)   (2,137)       (2,247)

Other operating income                  38             -        38             1
                                   ---------     ---------  --------  ----------
OPERATING PROFIT -
continuing operations                1,064          (563)      501         1,620

Other interest
receivable                               -                       -             1
and similar income

Interest payable and
similar charges                       (112)            -      (112)         (118)
                                   ---------     ---------  --------  ----------
PROFIT ON ORDINARY
ACTIVITIES                             952          (563)      389         1,503
BEFORE TAXATION
                                   ---------
Tax on profit on
ordinary activities                                           (119)         (482)
                                                            --------  ----------

PROFIT ON ORDINARY
ACTIVITIES AFTER                                               270         1,021
TAXATION FOR THE
FINANCIAL PERIOD

Dividends - equity         4                                  (313)         (419)
shares                                                      ========  ==========

RETAINED (LOSS)/PROFIT
TRANSFERRED                                                    (43)          602
(FROM)/TO RESERVES
                                                            ========  ==========
Earnings per ordinary
share of 5p each           5                                  2.59p         9.84p
                                                            ========  ==========
Diluted earnings per
ordinary shares of 5p      5                                  2.59p         9.82p
each
                                                            ========  ==========
Adjusted basic earnings
per ordinary share         5                                  6.37p         9.84p
of 5p each
                                                            ========  ==========

STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES
There are no recognised gains and losses for the current period or preceding
period other than as reported above.

                                      -4-

                                   Slimma plc

RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS
53 week period ended 3 October 2003
                                              53 weeks                52 weeks
                                                 ended                   ended
                                        3 October 2003       27 September 2002
                                                 #'000                   #'000

Profit for the financial period                    270                   1,021

Dividends                                         (313)                   (419)

Issue of shares - share options                      -                      49
                                              ----------            ------------
Net (reduction in) /addition to
shareholders' funds                                (43)                    651

Opening shareholders' funds                      5,148                   4,497
                                              ----------            ------------
Closing shareholders' funds                      5,105                   5,148
                                              ==========            ============

                                      -5-

                                   Slimma plc

BALANCE SHEET
3 October 2003
                                           3 October 2003    27 September 2002
                                                    #'000                #'000
FIXED ASSETS
Intangible assets                                     172                    -
Tangible assets                                       966                1,109
                                                 ----------         ------------
                                                    1,138                1,109
                                                 ----------         ------------
CURRENT ASSETS
Stocks                                              2,822                3,652
Debtors                                             5,479                7,647
Cash at bank and in hand                              283                    8
                                                 ----------         ------------
                                                    8,584               11,307
CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one
year                                               (4,610)              (7,251)
                                                 ----------         ------------
NET CURRENT ASSETS                                  3,974                4,056
                                                 ----------         ------------
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES               5,112                5,165

PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES AND CHARGES                 (7)                 (17)
                                                 ----------         ------------
NET ASSETS                                          5,105                5,148
                                                 ==========         ============
CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Called up share capital                               521                  521
Share premium                                       3,024                3,024
Capital reserve                                        62                   62
Capital redemption reserve                            285                  285
Profit and loss account                             1,213                1,256
                                                 ----------         ------------
TOTAL EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS                    5,105                5,148
                                                 ==========         ============

                                      -6-

                                   Slimma plc

CASH FLOW STATEMENT
53 week period ended 3 October 2003
                                               Note to   53 weeks     52 weeks
                                                cash        ended        ended
                                                flow    3 October 27 September
                                              statement      2003         2002  
                                                            #'000        #'000

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating
activities                                        1         2,750         (289)
                                                           --------   ----------
Returns on investments and servicing of
finance
Interest received                                               -            1
Interest paid                                                (112)        (118)
                                                           --------   ----------
Net cash outflow from returns on investments
and servicing of finance                                     (112)        (117)
                                                           --------   ----------
Taxation
Corporation tax paid                                         (490)        (492)
                                                           --------   ----------
Capital expenditure and financial
investment
Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets                    (245)        (230)
Receipts from the sale of tangible fixed
assets                                                        118            2
                                                           --------   ----------
                                                             (127)        (228)
                                                           --------   ----------
Acquisitions                                                          
Payments in respect of business acquired                     (338)           -
                                                           --------   ----------

Equity dividends paid                                        (365)        (416)
                                                           --------   ----------
Net cash inflow/(outflow) before use of
liquid resources and financing                              1,318       (1,542)
                                                           --------   ----------
Financing
Share options                                                   -           49
                                                           --------   ----------
Net cash outflow from financing                                 -           49
                                                           --------   ----------
Increase/(decrease) in cash in the period         3         1,318       (1,493)
                                                           ========   ==========

                                      -7-

                                   Slimma plc

NOTES TO CASH FLOW STATEMENT
53 week period ended 3 October 2003

1. RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO NET CASH INFLOW/(OUTFLOW) FROM
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                                             53 weeks                 52 weeks
                                                ended                    ended
                                       3 October 2003        27 September 2002
                                                #'000                    #'000

Operating profit                                  501                    1,620
Depreciation                                      308                      286
Amortisation of goodwill                           30                        -
Profit on sale of fixed assets                    (38)                      (1)
Decrease/(increase) in stocks                     966                     (748)
Decrease/(increase) in debtors                  2,168                   (1,219)
Decrease in creditors                          (1,185)                    (227)
                                             ----------             ------------
                                                2,750                     (289)
                                             ==========             ============

2. ANALYSIS OF NET DEBT
                                         At                                 At
                          27 September 2002      Cash flow      3 October 2003
                                      #'000          #'000               #'000

Cash in hand                              8            275                 283
Cash at bank/(overdraft)             (2,630)         1,043              (1,587)
                                 ------------     ----------        ------------
                                     (2,622)         1,318              (1,304)
                                 ============     ==========        ============

3. RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT

                                           53 weeks ended       52 weeks ended
                                           3 October 2003    27 September 2002
                                                    #'000                #'000

Increase/(decrease) in cash in the period           1,318               (1,493)
Opening net debt                                   (2,622)              (1,129)
                                                -----------         ------------
Closing net debt                                   (1,304)              (2,622)
                                                ===========         ============

                                      -8-

                                   Slimma plc

Notes:
1 Preparation of the Financial Statements
The results for the period ended 27 September 2002 and period ended 3 October
2003 are an abridged version of the Company's full accounts for those periods
which carry unqualified auditor's reports and do not contain any statements
under Section 237 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The full accounts for
the period ended 27 September 2002 have been filed with the Registrar of
Companies. The full accounts for the period ended 3 October 2003 will be
delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General
Meeting.

2 Acquisition of Business
On 16 December 2002 the Company acquired the business and certain assets of
'Peter Martin brand' from Le Roi Limited for a cash consideration of #338,000,
including costs of #18,000.

The acquisition has been integrated into an existing Slimma business and,
although customers and turnover can be identified separately, some costs are
shared and therefore, a split of operating expenses and operating profit is not
practicable.

The assessment of the fair value of the net assets acquired are as follows:
                                            Book         Fair value       Fair
                                            Value        Adjustment      Value
                                            #'000             #'000      #'000
Net assets acquired   
Stocks                                        209               (73)       136
Goodwill                                                                   202
                                                                          ------
Total consideration (satisfied by cash)                                    338
                                                                          ======

The fair value adjustment to stocks reflects the estimated net realisable value
of the stocks acquired.

3. Exceptional Re-organisation Costs
The exceptional item within cost of sales of #228,000, within selling and
distribution costs of #251,000 and within administrative expenses of #84,000
relates to redundancy and other reorganisation costs resulting from the closure
of the significant part of our remaining UK manufacturing unit, and redundancies
following the restructuring of divisional businesses to meet the challenges
presented by the competitive market place.

4. Dividends
If approved, the final dividend of 2.00 pence per share will be paid on 18
February 2004 to shareholders registered on 16 January 2004.



continued...

                                      -9-

5. Earnings per share
The calculation of earnings per Ordinary share is based on a profit of #270,000
(2002: profit #1,021,000) and on an average of 10,424,935 (2002: 10,380,481)
Ordinary shares in issue during the year. There was no dilutive impact on
earnings per share.

Adjusted earnings per share have been disclosed, excluding the exceptional
items, in order to provide a more meaningful comparison with prior years.

                                                   Profit for the financial year
                                                       2003               2002
                                                      #'000              #'000
Adjustment has been made as follows:

Earnings                                                270              1,021
Add back: exceptional items                             563                  -
Tax effect                                             (169)                 -
                                                   ----------          ---------
Adjusted earnings                                       664              1,021

6. Approval of the Financial Statements
These Financial Statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 15
December 2003.

7. Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held at the The Swan Hotel, 2 St Edward
Street, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 5DS, at 10.00am on Friday 30 January 2004.

8. Availability of the Financial Statements
These Financial Statements will be circulated to all shareholders and will be
available from the Company's Registered Office at:

Slimma plc, PO Box 30, Barngate Street, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8AR.



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