Zur Rose Group signals dynamic revenue development in the first quarter of 2021

EQS Group-News: Zur Rose Group AG / Key word(s): Quarterly / Interim Statement
20.04.2021 / 07:00

Zur Rose Group signals dynamic revenue development in the first quarter of 2021

- Sustained positive growth of 16.0 per cent

- Strong sales growth in Germany of 25.2 per cent

- Expansion of the DocMorris healthcare platform with new services

- Launch of www.docmorriscare.com/adipositas as strategic milestone

- Continuation of integration activities: Merger of apo-rot with DocMorris

The Zur Rose Group posted significant sales growth of 16.0 per cent in local currency terms in the first quarter of 2021, continuing along the growth path, even compared to the exceptionally strong previous year's quarter. In Group currency terms, revenue increased 17.8 per cent to CHF 502.7 million^[1] despite the decline in demand for flu and cold medication resulting from the tightened hygiene measures. The general move towards more online purchases and the continued positive trend in new clients contributed to the dynamic development. The number of active customers rose by more than 600,000 to 11.1 million^[2] in the last quarter.

Constant pleasing development in the segments
In Germany the Zur Rose Group grew significantly in the first quarter. Sales increased by 25.2 per cent in local currency terms and by 27.9 per cent in Group currency terms to CHF 337.2 million¹. The online business in non-prescription drugs as well as beauty and personal care products was the driver of this positive development. The prescription drugs business was virtually at the same level as the previous year's quarter based on paper prescriptions and is testament to the high degree of customer loyalty.

In Switzerland, Zur Rose posted revenue of CHF 147.0 million. In the light of the strong previous year's quarter, during which the physicians business posted record growth of 16.1 per cent due to the inventory build-up caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Switzerland segment performed robustly on a sustained basis, with performance down by 2.8 per cent.

The Europe segment continued to post very high revenue growth of 57.6 per cent in local currency terms and 61.1 per cent in Group currency terms to CHF 19.9 million, thus reaffirming the attractive growth potential of the marketplace business in the longer term.

Expansion of the DocMorris healthcare platform with new services for customers and patients
The DocMorris healthcare platform added more services for customers and patients in the first quarter. In addition to direct access to offline physicians as well as to online physicians via TeleClinic, further pharmacy partners were acquired. Through these pharmacies, customers in the major German cities can now avail of a faster delivery option through Same-Day as well as being able to order by mail order.

Launch of DocMorris Adipositas Care
As part of the collaboration with the global healthcare company Novo Nordisk, the DocMorris healthcare platform was expanded to include the digital hub DocMorris Adipositas Care (www.docmorriscare.com/adipositas) at the end of March 2021. People living with obesity can find out more about the disease in one click and gain access to digital solutions for obesity care. The new health journey also allows them to connect with specialised physicians and advisors in obesity care both online and offline. The collaboration has been launched in Germany for the time being. The intention is to expand it to other European markets over time.

The launch of this new healthcare offering is a further milestone towards the European healthcare ecosystem of the Zur Rose Group and a key step towards realising the company's vision: creating a world where people can manage their own health in one click.

Multi-media, Germany-wide campaign
A multimedia, Germany-wide campaign was launched in February 2021 to showcase the DocMorris brand, the healthcare ecosystem's umbrella brand. This shows the brand as an approachable and reliable partner and makes the digital services on the healthcare platform come alive. The campaign has already led to a significant increase in brand awareness and the latest feedback is very promising.

Merger of apo-rot brand with DocMorris
To achieve greater efficiency, the Zur Rose Group is taking the next step on the path towards integration. apo-rot B.V. is to be merged with DocMorris N.V. as of 30 June 2021. apo-rot customers can then log on to the DocMorris webshop using their current log-in details and take advantage of its wide range of products. The operational consolidation of apo-rot's mail order and logistics activities was already completed in Heerlen in 2018.

Seizing the opportunities from the introduction of electronic prescriptions
Looking ahead to the mandatory introduction of electronic prescriptions in Germany as of 1 January 2022, the preparations undertaken by the Zur Rose Group are proceeding as scheduled. With 9.8 million customers in the German market and DocMorris as Germany's best-known pharmacy brand, the Group is excellently positioned to win customers with its service and mail-order offering and further boost revenue in this area substantially once the necessary infrastructure has been put in place.

Outlook
The Zur Rose Group reaffirms the growth targets announced on 18 March 2021.

Investors and analyst contact
Christoph Herrmann, Head of Investor Relations
Email: ir@zurrose.com, phone: +41 58 810 11 49

Media contact
Lisa Lüthi, Head of Group Communications
Email: media@zurrose.com, phone: +41 52 724 08 14

Agenda
A Capital Markets Day in virtual format will take place on 16 June 2021. Invitation and agenda will follow at a later date.

29 April 2021 Annual General Meeting
18 August 2021 Half-Year Results
21 October 2021 Q3 Trading Update

Zur Rose Group

The Swiss Zur Rose Group is Europe's largest e-commerce pharmacy and one of the leading medical wholesalers in Switzerland. It also operates the leading marketplace in southern Europe for consumer health, beauty and personal care products commonly sold in pharmacies. The company is internationally present with strong brands, including Germany's best-known pharmacy brand, DocMorris, and employs more than 2,200 people at sites in Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and France. Now serving more than 11 million active customers in core European markets, Zur Rose generated revenue of CHF 1,752 million (including external revenue) in 2020.

With its business model, the Zur Rose Group offers high-quality, safe and cost-effective pharmaceutical care. It also excels in continuous development of digital healthcare services and as a platform technology provider. In addition, Zur Rose is actively driving forward its positioning as a comprehensive healthcare service provider, with focus on building up its European healthcare ecosystem networking qualified providers of products, services and digital solutions. Zur Rose's contribution will be to bring these offerings to customers and patients, pursuing its vision of creating a world where people can manage their own health in one click.

The shares of Zur Rose Group AG are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (securities number 4261528, ISIN CH0042615283, ticker ROSE). For further information, please visit zurrosegroup.com.

^[1] External revenue; i.e. including non-consolidated mail-order revenue.
^[2] Customers supplied by the Zur Rose Group, either directly or through its partners

End of Media Release