In the first half of 2015, Pelion companies focused on generating higher sales and margins and strengthening their market positions.

The efforts taken in H1 2015 contributed to the growth of consolidated revenue and gross margin by 11.1% (to PLN 4,224.3m) and 1.0pp, respectively. The increase in SG&A, which went up by 1.6pp year on year, is attributable to the implementation of new projects (Drogerie Natura beauty stores, the DOZ direct pharmacy supply system) and sales-oriented activities.

In H1 2015, Pelion companies focused on improving their sales performance.

Polska Grupa Farmaceutyczna actively supported independent pharmacies and small pharmacy chains as part of its 'Healthy Choice' programme and offered high-quality services to pharmacy chains. As part of the programme, the company also sought to strengthen its working relationship with manufacturers by creating a wide range of business support services for them.

DOZ pharmacies focused primarily on ensuring affordable prices, good quality and full availability of products for patients. Low drug prices were the key and most distinctive element of the scheme. To enhance the merchandise mix at DOZ pharmacies, in addition to developing online sales, a new format - pharmacy and beauty stores − was launched. Moreover, the company decided to revamp the brand's visual identity and communicate the pharmacies' interior to strengthen the perception of DOZ pharmacies as friendly places where patients' health is the focus of care. Thanks to all these actions, sales by DOZ pharmacies in H1 2015 rose at a faster pace than the average pharmacy sales reported on the market.

The main objective of Drogerie Natura beauty stores in H1 2015 was to offer more to their customers. The Drogerie Natura team made sure that the stores' extensive offer combined excellent quality and professional approach. To this end, Drogerie Natura opened an online store www.drogerienatura.pl, implemented a pricing policy featuring attractive prices and frequent promotional events, continued to develop its expertise in the key categories (make-up, perfume, facial care and mass products), included new own brands and brands offered on an exclusive basis in the merchandise mix, and changed the merchandise display to match the market trends. In 2015, it intends to open several new own stores and expand the agency network. Together with DOZ, Drogerie Natura plans to further develop the pharmacy and beauty store format as well.

All the intensive work and operational measures undertaken by the Pelion companies in H1 2015 ensure that the Group remains on course for better performance in the coming months.

The table below presents the H1 2015 financial highlights, along with comparative year-on-year data:

H1 2015 H1 2014 Change*
Revenue (PLNm) 4,224.3 3,803.7 +11.1%
Gross profit (PLNm) 493.7 407.6 +21.1%
Gross margin 11.7% 10.7% +1.0pp
EBITDA (PLNm) 73.2 69.7 +5.0%
EBITDA margin 1.7% 1.8% -0.1pp
Net profit attributable to owners of the parent (PLNm) 18.9 26.5 -28.9%
Net margin 0.4% 0.7% -0.3pp
Earnings per share (PLN) 1.69 2.37 -28.7%

* Change calculated based on figures in PLN '000

For further information, please contact:
Pelion S.A. Press Office
Phone: (+48 42) 200 75 94
Fax: (+48 42) 200 75 35
Email: biuro_prasowe@pelion.eu

Pelion S.A. has operated on the market for twenty-five years, starting out as a local pharmaceutical wholesaler. In 1998, the Company shares were floated on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Proceeds from the initial public offering fuelled the Company's dynamic growth and allowed it to embark on consolidation of the pharmaceutical wholesale market. Since its flotation, the Company has secured a top position among domestic distributors of medicinal products. Today, Pelion Healthcare Group is one of the largest groups operating in the healthcare markets in Poland and Lithuania. It provides services across all market segments (wholesale, retail sales and sales to hospitals), targeted at individual patients, pharmacies, hospitals, and manufacturers. As a holding company, Pelion S.A. oversees all areas of the Company's operations, which are conducted by PGF S.A. and Pharmapoint Sp. z o.o. (wholesale), PGF Urtica Sp. z o.o. (hospital sales), CEPD N.V. (retail sales), and Pharmalink Sp. z o.o. (services for manufacturers).

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