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Aramis Group - 2024 annual results
PRESS RELEASE
Arcueil, November 26, 2024
2024 annual results
Record performance in 2024: +22% volume growth,
EBITDA and cash generation significantly increased
Results for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024
Nicolas Chartier et Guillaume Paoli, co-founders of Aramis Group :
"Thanks to the dedication of its teams and its unique business model, Aramis Group delivered sustained growth in 2024 while significantly improving profitability. With over 110,000 vehicles sold to private customers this year, our cumulative volumes have now reached 700,000 since the Group's inception. Customer satisfaction, which continues to climb, has reached exceptionally high levels, validating the relevance and sustainability of our strategy. Adjusted EBITDA and cash generation have increased sharply, supported by our ongoing efforts to enhance productivity and the quality of our offering. Building on these results, we approach 2025 with confidence, determined to maintain profitable growth and further strengthen our cash generation."
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN 2024
In 2024, Aramis Group intensified its operational focus to speed up the convergence of its entities, optimize its European reach, and ensure a trajectory of profitable growth.
The sharing of expertise was amplified, particularly in flow management and vehicle sourcing, with significant progress achieved in Austria and Spain.
The deployment of the « optichannel » model gained momentum with the opening of customer centers in Italy, Austria, and Spain, where Clicars inaugurated four new sales points in 2024. These initiatives support volume growth, brand awareness, and logistical flow optimization, with additional openings planned over the next 24 to 36 months.
The Group continued to roll out its internal marketplace, capitalizing on its European scale. This initiative enriches its customer offering, maximizes margins, and optimizes inventory turnover by leveraging variations in market dynamics across its different geographies.
Aramis Group also advanced the development of its technology and data platform, deploying new modules to enhance the customer experience and better support its teams. Efforts were also focused on creating a cohesive brand platform aimed at strengthening the consistency of its value proposition and enabling future synergies in marketing costs.
On the financial front, the Group improved its productivity and efficiency through technology and the sharing of best practices between entities. Customer acquisition costs (COCA) remained low, thanks to ongoing optimization of conversion rates and marketing spend.
Finally, confident in its potential for profitable, cash-generative growth, Aramis Group launched a share buyback program in August 2024 to cover its performance share plans. This initiative further strengthened employee engagement, with staff already holding 0.86% of the company's share capital .
2024 FULL-YEAR ACTIVITY
Overview of volumes and revenues
2024 full-year B2C volumes
2024 full-year revenues
By segment
By country
Analysis of the change in revenues per segment
B2C – sales of cars to private customers (88% of revenues)
Revenues for the B2C segment - corresponding to sales of refurbished and pre-registered cars to private customers - reached €1,971.2 million in 2024, an increase of +20.5% compared to 2023, driven by a volume effect of +21.9%. In a market for used cars under 8 years old that grew by an average of +4.7% in volume in 2024, Aramis Group's unique value proposition once again positioned it as a preferred choice for consumers, outperforming the market by an average of 17 percentage points.
Revenues for the refurbished car segment totaled €1,512.1 million, representing growth of +8.6% compared to 2023. Volumes increased by +11.6%, while the average unit price decreased by -2.6%.
Revenues for the pre-registered car segment reached €459.1 million, a sharp increase of +88.1% compared to 2023, including a volume effect of +81.2%. This segment experienced a faster-than-expected return to normal. After a record second quarter, volumes stabilized at slightly lower levels during the third and fourth quarters of 2024, without hindering the Group's overall growth, which intensified its focus on refurbished vehicle volumes.
B2B – sales of cars to professional customers (7% of revenues)
Revenues for the B2B segment came to €150.6 million in 2024, a decrease of -26.7% compared to 2023. This decline reflects the reduction during the year in Aramis Group's sourcing of used vehicles from private individuals, a portion of which is resold in the B2B channel (primarily vehicles over 8 years old or with more than 150,000 km).
Services (5% of revenues)
Revenue from services amounted to €115.8 million in 2024, up +11.6% compared to 2023. While the beginning of the year was impacted by interest rate dynamics, particularly in the UK, the situation stabilized for financing solutions, with an average consolidated penetration rate of 43%, compared to 46% in 2023.
Analysis of the change in revenues per country
Revenues generated in France in 2024 increased by +16.6%. The performance of Aramis Group's French entity benefited from its ability to seize opportunities in the pre-registered vehicle segment through its unique supplier network, as well as from the dynamism of its commercial network. For reference, the French market grew by +7% in volume compared to 2023.
Revenues in the United Kingdom grew by +16.3%. Sales volumes also showed strong growth, which represents a remarkable achievement given the challenging market conditions during the period, with declines in both volume (-2%) and pricing.
Revenues in Spain decreased by -8.6%, including a volume effect of -3%. The year focused on restoring profitability, achieving significant productivity gains, and delivering a remarkable improvement in margins. This performance strengthened the Group's consolidated results and led to an upward revision of the 2024 annual guidance. Spain now has a solid operational foundation, enabling it to resume healthy growth as early as 2025.
Revenues in Belgium increased by +16.2%, driven by a +15% rise in volumes. Activity accelerated progressively over the year, culminating in a very dynamic fourth quarter. The Belgian market11 grew by +11% in volumes during the same period.
Revenues in Austria surged by +49.2% compared to 2023. Volumes sold increased by +57%, significantly outperforming the Austrian market11, which grew by +10% in volumes over the same period.
Finally, revenues in Italy grew by +81.8%. To boost the entity's commercial momentum, an agency was opened in Milan at the end of the fiscal year.
INCOME STATEMENT
Condensed income statement
Gross margin
In 2024, gross margin amounted to €256.4 million, an increase of +28.9% compared to 2023. The gross profit per unit (GPU), representing the margin generated per B2C vehicle sold, reached €2,285, marking a significant improvement of nearly €125 compared to the previous year.
However, this average reflects contrasting dynamics throughout the year. In the first half, the GPU was €2,153, impacted by a temporary and exceptional market downturn in the United Kingdom, which weighed on both Metal and Services margins. In contrast, the second half saw the GPU rise to €2,412, driven by operational gains across all geographies and a return to a more normalized market. Improvements optimized vehicle margins, notably through a refined vehicle selection process enabled by enhanced sharing of expertise within the Group.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA stood at €50.5 million in 2024, a significant improvement compared to €9.6 million in 2023. The growth was particularly pronounced between the first half (€16.2 million) and the second half (€34.3 million) of the fiscal year.
In addition to the substantial improvement in unit margins detailed above, Aramis Group maintained strict control over its selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A). These amounted to €205.9 million in 2024, increasing by only +8.8% compared to 2023, despite a +22% growth in volumes over the period.
More specifically, marketing expenses remained under control, amounting to €33.6 million in 2024, a decrease of -11.2% in unit cost (COCA). Aramis Group continued investing in its brands, including the launch of a TV advertising campaign in Spain, while improving the efficiency of traffic acquisition expenses through targeted work on lead conversion.
Personnel costs included in SG&A reached €104.1 million, rising by a relatively modest +6.6% given the +22% increase in activity and wage inflation. Personnel costs per vehicle sold decreased by -12.4%.
Vehicle delivery costs totaled €29.2 million, an increase of +16.2% in absolute value but a reduction of -4.7% in unit cost.
Finally, other SG&A, including general and headquarters expenses, amounted to €39.0 million, increased moderately by +9.7%, but decreased by -10.0% per B2C unit sold.
Operating income
Operating income for 2024 returned to positive territory, reaching €12.2 million, compared to a loss of -€20.9 million in 2023, reflecting the ongoing profitability recovery of the Group.
The breakdown is as follows:
Net income
Net income for 2024 was also positive at €5.0 million, compared to a loss of -€32.3 million in 2023.
This figure includes a financial result of -€11.4 million, comprising net financial debt costs of -€6.0 million, lease-related financial charges (IFRS 16) of -€4.5 million, other net financial expenses of -€1.0 million, and a tax benefit of €4.2 million.
CASH FLOW AND FINANCIAL STRUCTURE
Inventory and operating working capital requirements
The inventory level stood at €222.3 million as of September 30, 2024, remaining nearly stable compared to September 30, 2023, despite a +22% increase in volumes during the fiscal year. Aramis Group's inventory management, already considered "best in class" in the market, has further improved across all countries.
Operating working capital amounted to €161.7 million, a decrease of €2.7 million compared to September 30, 2023. This represents 26 days of revenues for the 2024 fiscal year, a marked improvement of 5 days compared to the level recorded as of September 30, 2023, and a steady enhancement over the past three fiscal years.
This performance reflects sustained efforts to improve the quality of the offering, as well as the ongoing optimization of logistical flows and in-factory processes. These improvements were made possible by Aramis Group's ability to share expertise across its various entities and leverage its advancements in technology.
Cash position
The Group generated free cash flow of €21.3 million during the period, driven by improved profitability and effective inventory management.
Cash generation from operations amounted to €54 million, primarily supported by the EBITDA generated in 2024 and the effective management of working capital.
Cash consumption related to investments totaled -€10.9 million, mainly composed of capital expenditures. The Group continued to invest in its technologies, with an increasing pooling of investments at the corporate level.
Cash consumption related to financing amounted to -€21.8 million, mainly comprising IFRS 16 lease payments and interest paid during the period.
Net debt as of September 30, 2024, stood at €61.0 million, a significant decrease compared to September 30, 2023.
The Group's financial structure remains robust, with a leverage ratio of 1.2x.
As of September 30, 2024, Aramis Group also had undrawn and covenant-free credit lines totaling approximately €194 million, 74% of which are provided by its reference shareholder, Stellantis Group.
OUTLOOK
The used car market continued its normalization in 2024, returning to traditional balances with prices well below the peak levels reached during the crisis.
Aramis Group anticipates a modestly positive growth trajectory for the used car market in the coming years and is highly confident in its ability to continue its development without constraints while further strengthening its European leadership.
To achieve its objectives, the Group will rely on two strategic pillars:
Furthermore, with the goal of embedding its growth in a sustainable and value-creating dynamic, Aramis Group aims to achieve an optimized balance between growth, margins, and cash generation. For 2025, the Group has set the following objectives:
***
Status of statutory auditors' procedures:
During its meeting on November 26, 2024, the Board of Directors of Aramis Group approved the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year 2024, ended September 30, 2024. The audit procedures are currently being finalized.
Next financial information:
2025 first-quarter activity: January 28, 2025 (after market close)
2025 first-half results: May 19, 2025 (after market close)
2025 third-quarter activity: July 24, 2025 (after market close)
2025 annual results: November 25, 2025 (after market close)
About Aramis Group – www.aramis.group
Aramis Group is the European leader for B2C online used car sales and operates in six countries. A fast-growing group, an e-commerce expert and a vehicle refurbishing pioneer, Aramis Group takes action each day for more sustainable mobility with an offering that is part of the circular economy. Founded in 2001, it has been revolutionizing its market for over 20 years, focused on ensuring the satisfaction of its customers and capitalizing on digital technology and employee engagement to create value for all its stakeholders. With annual revenues of more than €2 billion, Aramis Group sells more than 110,000 vehicles B2C and welcomes close to 70 million visitors across all its digital platforms each year. The Group employs more than 2,400 people and has eight industrial-scale refurbishing centers throughout Europe. Aramis Group is listed on Euronext Paris Compartment B (Ticker: ARAMI – ISIN: FR0014003U94).
Disclaimer
Certain information included in this press release is not historical data but forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions about current and future business strategies and the environment in which Aramis Group operates, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results or performance, or the results or other events, to be materially different from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in Chapter 4 "Risk Factors and Control Environment" of the Universal Registration Document dated December 19, 2023, filed with the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) under number D. 23-0864 and available on the Group's website (www.aramis.group) and on the AMF website (www.amf-france.org). These forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. This press release does not contain or constitute an offer of securities or an invitation or inducement to invest in securities in France, the United States or any other jurisdiction.
Investor contact
Alexandre Leroy
Head of Investor Relations,
Financing and Cash management
alexandre.leroy@aramis.group
+33 (0)6 58 80 50 24
Press contacts
Brunswick
Hugues Boëton
Tristan Roquet Montegon
aramisgroup@brunswickgroup.com
+33 (0)6 79 99 27 15
APPENDICES
Net profit and loss
Statement of financial position
Cash flow statement
Reconciliation of gross profit per unit (GPU)
Reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA
Breakdown of operating working capital requirements
Reconciliation of net debt with net financial debt under IFRS
1 Net Promoter Score, a widely used indicator of customer satisfaction, as of September 30, 2024
2 Employee Net Promoter Score, an indicator used to measure employee engagement, as of September 30, 2024
3 Used car market for vehicles under 8 years old across the Group's six geographies, sourced from S&P Global and Aramis Group – market growth of +4.7%
4 Guillaume Paoli serves as Chairman and CEO of the Company, while Nicolas Chartier is Deputy CEO, based on a rotation every two years
5 A marketing strategy that prioritizes the most suitable channel, whether online or offline, for each interaction, ensuring optimal personalization based on customer behaviors and preferences
6 Number of employees holding shares directly or through the Aramis Group employee investment fund (FCPE)
7 Core market of Aramis Group
8 Source: S&P Global and Aramis Group, based on the six countries where Aramis Group operates
9 As a reminder, only the French and Belgian subsidiaries of Aramis Group sell pre-registered vehicles
10 Some substitution dynamics may exist between pre-registered vehicles and the most recent refurbished used vehicles. A slowdown in growth in the recent refurbished vehicle segment is often accompanied by an acceleration in pre-registered vehicle sales, and vice versa
11 Market for used cars under 8 years old, source: S&P Global and Aramis Group
12 Contribution to the gross margin from vehicle sales
13 Contribution to the gross margin from additional services sales
14 Net debt / Adjusted EBITDA
Attachment
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