Alon Blue Square - Israel Ltd. (NYSE: BSI) Announces The Financial Results For The First Quarter Of 2013[1]

ROSH HA'AYIN, Israel, May 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

• Cash flows from operating activity amounted to NIS 309 million in this quarter, an increase of 93%, the Adjusted EBITDA in this quarter amounted to NIS 98 million compared to NIS 115 million in the corresponding quarter last year.
• Decrease in financial debt, net of NIS 250 million compared to December 31, 2012.
• In the Fueling and commercial sites: An improvement in the operating profit in this quarter compared to the corresponding quarter last year. The operating profit in this quarter amounted to NIS 37 million (increase of 21%). The Adjusted EBITDA in this quarter amounted to NIS 64 million compared to NIS 57 million in the corresponding quarter last year.
• In the Supermarkets segment: An activity to increase the market share of Mega  resulted, for the first time in six quarters, an increase in the same stores sales (SSS) in this quarter compared to the corresponding quarter last year. This activity included, among others, the reduction of prices at an average rate of 1.8%.     
• In the Real Estate segment: BSRE presents a continuing increase in NOI (NIS 53 million in this quarter). The Company continues the development and the betterment of projects under construction and completed in this quarter, the sale of 50% of the Comverse Building in Ra'anana in consideration of NIS 51 million.
• In the Non Food segment (from continuing operations): an increase in sales of approximately 14% and increase in operating profit before other expenses of 6% in this quarter compared to the corresponding quarter last year.

Segment Profits:

Comments of Management
Mr. David Weissman, CEO and Chief Business Officer

"In the current quarter we put a special emphasis on the improvement of cash flows from operating activity which amounted to NIS 309 million in this quarter, an increase of 93% compared to the corresponding quarter. The impressive improvement in the cash flows from operating activity derived from measures taken to improve the working capital and reducing customer days and inventory.

Dor Alon continues to take efficacy measures that resulted in the improvement of operating results of approximately 20% and an increase in net income of 49% and an impressive increase in cash flows from operating activity of NIS 174 million compared to the corresponding quarter last year.  

BSRE continues to present an improvement in its current activity and continues the development and initiation of 7 projects. In January 2013, the Company admitted Harel, Insurance Company, as a partner (50%) in Comverse Building, which is under construction. 

The Supermarkets segment is on the change of trend and for the first time after six quarters, Mega moved in the SSS stores to a positive increase while Mega Bool leads the change-over with an increase of over 7% in the SSS stores while improving all other operating criteria in all the chain, an increase in sales per sq.m of 3.9% and an increase in sales per position of 4.2%. The change of trend came at the expense of the gross profit while at the same time the Company works on an innovative strategic plan with international sources. In June, the Company intends to present the strategic plan for the coming years, which includes operating and structural changes in Mega.  

In the Non Food segment, the Company is in merger procedures with BEE Retail and Mega, such that the logistic center and headquarters shall be assimilated in Mega and Na'aman shall become a subsidiary of Mega. In this quarter, Na'aman presents an improvement in its results compared to the corresponding quarter last year, which derives from an increase in sales following marketing efforts and the Passover holiday.

YouPhone brand turned into a legitimate factor, as a cellular network, which brings innovation and the lowest prices in the market. The rate of joining new customers stands at 20,000 per quarter. The establishment costs of the company are part of the Company's operating expenses."

Results for the first quarter of 2013[2]

Gross revenues
Revenues (including government levies) in the first quarter of 2013 amounted to NIS 3,792.8 million (U.S. $1,039.7 million) as compared to revenues of NIS 3,826.2 million in the comparable quarter last year, a decrease of 0.9%. The decrease mainly derives from decrease in revenues of Dor Alon compared to the corresponding quarter last year.

Revenues from sales, net

Revenues of the Fueling and Commercial sites segment – amounted in this quarter to NIS 1,337.5 million (U.S. $366.6 million) as compared to NIS 1,387.6 million in the corresponding quarter last year, a decrease of 3.6%. The main decrease was due to discontinued sales to the Palestinian authority.

Revenues of the Supermarkets segment – amounted in this quarter to NIS 1,627.6 million (U.S. $446.2 million) as compared to NIS 1,626.0 million in the corresponding quarter last year, with no material change. The sales of the same store sales (SSS) increased in this quarter at a rate of 2.1% compared to the corresponding period last year and were offset from a decrease of 3% in selling spaces following the closing of branches during the last 15 months.

Revenues of the Non-Food segment – an increase in revenues by 22% from NIS 87.6 million in the first quarter of 2012 to NIS 106.9 million (U.S. $29.3 million) in the current quarter. The increase in revenues is mainly due to an increase in sales in the home activity and in the textile activity resulting from expanding the marketing activities and the Passover holiday timing that occurred this year earlier than last year. 

Revenues of the Real Estate segment – an increase in rental income of 31% from NIS 7.2 million in the first quarter of 2012 to NIS 9.4 million (U.S. $2.6 million) in the current quarter. The increase in rental income in this quarter mainly derives from increase in spaces rented to external parties.

Gross profit in the first quarter of 2013 amounted to NIS 656.6 million (U.S. $180.0 million) (21.3% of revenues) as compared to gross profit of NIS 674.2 million (21.7% of revenues) in the comparable quarter last year. The decrease in the gross profit compared to the corresponding quarter last year was mainly due to the decrease in the gross profit in the Supermarkets segment.

In the Fueling and Commercial sites segment, gross profit amounted to NIS 190.0 million (U.S. $52.1 million), (14.2% of revenues) compared to NIS 184.2 million in the comparable quarter last year (13.3% of revenues). The increase in the gross profit mainly derived from the increased profitability of the convenience stores.

In the Supermarkets segment, gross profit amounted to NIS 406.9 million (U.S. $111.5 million), (25.0% of revenues) compared to NIS 436.6 million in the first quarter of 2012 (26.8% of revenues), a decrease of 6.8% stemming from a decrease in the gross profit following the reduction of margins.

In the Non Food segment, gross profit amounted to NIS 53.0 million (U.S. $14.5 million), (49.6% of revenues) compared to NIS 46.3 million in the first quarter of 2012 (52.8% of revenues), an increase of 14.5% that mainly derives from increase in sales, as aforementioned.

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2013 amounted to NIS 636.2 million (U.S. $174.4 million) (20.6% of revenues), compared to expenses of NIS 639.4 million (20.6% of revenues) in the comparable quarter last year. 

In the Fueling and Commercial sites segment, these expenses amounted to NIS 153.4 million (U.S. $42.1 million) compared to NIS 155.6 million in the first quarter of 2012, a decrease of 1.4%, mainly deriving from efficiency measures.

In the Supermarkets segment, selling, general and administrative expenses amounted to NIS 409.9 million (U.S. $112.4 million) compared to expenses of NIS 420.0 million in the first quarter of 2012, a decrease of 2.4% in expenses that mainly derives from efficacy measures and exiting branches.

In the Non Food segment, these expenses amounted to NIS 45.6 million (U.S. $12.5 million) compared to NIS 39.2 million in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 16.2% in expenses that mainly derives from increase in sales and increase in marketing and advertising  expenses.

In the Real Estate segment, these expenses amounted to NIS 4.7 million (U.S. $1.3 million) compared to NIS 2.8 million in the first quarter of 2012.

Operating profit (before other gains and losses and changes in fair value of investment property) in the first quarter of 2013 amounted to NIS 20.4 million (U.S. $5.6 million) (0.7% of revenues) as compared to NIS 34.8 million (1.1% of revenues) in the comparable quarter last year, a decrease of 41.4%. The decrease in the operating profit was mainly due to losses incurred by the Supermarkets segment.

In the Fueling and Commercial sites segment, operating profit in this quarter amounted to NIS 36.6 million (U.S. $10.0 million) compared to operating profit of NIS 28.5 million in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 28.1%. The increase derives from improvement of gross profit and from decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses.

In the Supermarkets segment, operating loss amounted to NIS 3.0 million (U.S. $0.8 million) compared to operating profit of NIS 16.5 in the first quarter of 2012. The transfer to a loss derives from erosion of gross profit rate and was partly offset from decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses.

In the Non Food segment, operating profit amounted to NIS 7.4 million (U.S. $2.0 million) as compared to an operating profit of NIS 7.0 million in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 5.9%. The increase in the operating profit derives from increase in sales and was partly offset from increase in selling, general and administrative expenses.

In the Real Estate segment, the operating profit in this quarter amounted to NIS 4.7 million (U.S. $1.3 million) compared to NIS 4.3 million in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 9.0%. The increase in the operating profit derives from increase in rental income and was partly offset from increase in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Changes in fair value of investment property in this quarter the Company recorded a profit in the amount of NIS 5.5 million (U.S. $1.5 million) compared to a profit of NIS 2.7 million in the first quarter of 2012. The main profit in this quarter derives from revaluation of Comverse Building in Ra'anana, which half was realized in this quarter.  

Other income (expenses), net other expenses in this quarter amounted to NIS 6.3 million (U.S. $1.7 million) compared to other expenses of NIS 0.1 million in the first quarter of 2012.

Operating profit amounted to NIS 19.3 million (U.S. $5.3 million) (0.6% of revenues) as compared to operating profit of NIS 40.8 million (1.3% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2012, a decrease of 52.7%.

Finance costs, net in this quarter amounted to NIS 53.8 million (U.S. $14.8 million) as compared to net finance costs of NIS 39.6 million in the first quarter of 2012. The increase in finance costs, net derives from an increase in the Company's indebtedness and from a decrease in finance income.

Taxes on income tax benefit in this quarter amounted to NIS 2.6 million (U.S. $0.7 million) as compared to tax benefit of NIS 4.4 million in the first quarter of 2012.

Income (loss) from continuing operation in this quarter loss amounted to NIS 31.9 million (U.S. $8.8 million) compared to an income of NIS 5.6 million in the first quarter of 2012. The loss in this quarter attributed to the Company's shareholders amounted to NIS 39.6 million (U.S. $10.9 million) or NIS 0.60 per share (U.S. $0.17) and the income attributed to non-controlling interests amounted to NIS 7.7 million (U.S. $2.1 million).

Net loss from discontinued operation in this quarter amounted to NIS 2.0 million (U.S. $0.6 million) or NIS 0.03 per share (U.S. $0.01) compared to a loss of NIS 3.4 in the first quarter of 2012, which attributed in its entirety to the Company's shareholders.

Cash flows for the first quarter of 2013

Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash flow provided by operating activities amounted to NIS 309.6 million (U.S. $84.8 million) in the first quarter of 2013 compared to NIS 159.6 million from operating activities in the comparable quarter last year. The main increase derives from a decrease in working capital needs following measures taken to reduce customer days and reduction of inventories in the amount of NIS 128 million (U.S. $35.1 million) and from tax refunds in this quarter of NIS 42.8 million (U.S. $11.7 million) compared to tax payments of NIS 10.0 million in the corresponding quarter last year offset by a decrease in operating profit of NIS 14.4 million (U.S. $3.9 million).

Cash flows used in investing activities: Net cash flows used in investing activities amounted to NIS 47.2 million (U.S. $12.9 million) in this quarter as compared to net cash used in investing activities of NIS 151.3 million in the comparable quarter. Cash flows used in investing activities in this quarter mainly included the purchase of investment property, property and equipment and intangible assets of total NIS 50.4 million (U.S. $13.8 million), the grant of long term loans of NIS 26.8 million (U.S. $7.3 million) and was offset by proceeds from realization of investment property of NIS 45.1 million (U.S. $12.4 million), repayment of long term loans of NIS 17.5 million (U.S. $4.8 million), and interest received of NIS 8.7 million (U.S. $2.4 million). In the first quarter of 2012 the cash flows used in investing activities mainly included the purchase of property and equipment, investment property and intangible assets of NIS 97.1 million, grant of long term loans of NIS 23.6 million and investment in securities in the amount of NIS 95.2 million, net of proceeds from realization of securities in the amount of NIS 65.2 million.

Cash flows used in financing activities: Net cash flows used in financing activities amounted to NIS 97.9 million (U.S. $26.8 million) in this quarter as compared to net cash flows deriving from financing activities of NIS 13.1 million in the corresponding quarter last year. The cash flows used in financing activities this quarter mainly included interest payments of NIS 62.5 million (U.S. $17.1 million), decrease in short term bank credit, net of NIS 172.2 million (U.S. $47.2 million), repayment of loans of NIS 53.8 million (U.S. $14.7 million) and was partly offset by issuance of debentures of NIS 152.3 million (U.S. $41.7 million) and receiving loans of NIS 40.7 million (U.S. $11.1 million). The net cash flows deriving from financing activities in the first quarter of 2012 included mainly the issuance of debentures of NIS 264.2 million and was offset by repayment of loans of NIS 119.0 million, decrease in short term credit, net, in the amount of NIS 71.3 million and from interest payments of NIS 56.3 million.

Additional Information

1. Adjusted  EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization)[3] in the first quarter of 2013 adjusted EBITDA was NIS 98.6 million (U.S. $27.0 million) (3.2% of revenues) compared to NIS 114.7 million (3.7% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2012.

Events during the reporting period

General

a. Effective January 1, 2013, the Company applies IFRS 11 "Joint Arrangements". The application is retrospective. Jointly controlled entities presented in the past in the consolidated statements using the proportionate consolidation method are presented in these financial statements as part of the associates.  

The following presents the effect on the financial statements as of December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012 and for the periods then ended:

The main decrease in the profit in 2012 derives from eliminating profit, loss of control in a jointly controlled entity as a result of applying IFRS 11.

b. On March 22, 2013, Mrs. Limor Ganot was appointed as co-CEO of the Company. The appointment is in effect from April 1, 2013.

c. On April 24, 2013, the Company changed its name from "Alon Holdings Blue Square Israel Ltd" to "Alon Blue Square Israel Ltd".

d. The Company resolved to merge BEE group into Mega Retail. The merger will be consummated in 2013. 

Fueling and Commercial sites segment

a. As of March 31, 2013, Dor Alon operated 203 fueling stations and 209 convenience stores in various formats.

b. Dor Alon declared a dividend of NIS 20 million (U.S $5.5 million). The Company's share is NIS 15.7 million (U.S $4.3 million). The dividend was paid on April 9, 2013. 

Supermarkets segment

a. As of March 31, 2013, the Company operated 211 supermarkets divided as follows: Mega In Town - 119; Mega Bool - 66; Zol Beshefa - 15; Eden Teva Market - 20 of which 9 Eden within Mega.

b. As of March 31, 2013, the Company operated branches in a total area of 365,400 sq.m. Sales per meter amounted in the first quarter of 2013 to NIS 4,460 (U.S. $1,223) compared to NIS 4,293 in the corresponding quarter last year. 
During the quarter ending on March 31, 2013, one branch with a total area of 3,600 sq.m was closed.

Non Food segment

a. As of March 31, 2013, Bee Group operates 138 branches (of which 22 franchised).
b. Discontinued activity – in view of the Company's resolution from December 2012, to realize Kfar Hasha'shuim (Kfar), the results of Kfar are included in the consolidated statement of operations under "Loss from discontinued operation (after tax)".

Following are the operating results of Kfar for the reported periods:

Real Estate segment

a.         Comverse Building

On January 21, 2013, BSRE entered into an agreement for the sale of half of its rights in the property to Harel Investments, Insurance and Financial Services Ltd. (Harel) in return for NIS 51 million and shall bear 50% of the remaining establishment costs. In addition, BSRE is entitled to an additional consideration for building rights of 2,500 sq.m that were not yet utilized and such consideration is to be payable according to the agreement. The agreement further determines that if the building rights in the real estate are increased, Harel shall have the option to purchase 50% of these rights at a consideration to be determined according to the value of the rights. A collaboration agreement was signed between BSRE and Harel. The above consideration reflects the fair value of part of the real estate that was realized and therefore, in the reported period, the Company recorded gain from change in value of investment property of NIS 5.5 million in addition to a gain that was recorded in 2012 in the amount of NIS 4 million.

b.        Cohen Building in Petach Tikva

In November 2012, BSRE granted an option to purchase the property in Petach Tikva subject to various conditions in return for NIS 56 million. On March 6, 2013, the option was exercised and a sale agreement was signed. The purchasers did not complete the first payment according to the date set forth in the sale agreement. An extension was granted to the purchasers to complete the payment and the rest of the payments according to the agreement.

c.         BSRE declared a dividend of NIS 50 million (U.S. $13.7 million), the Company's share amounts to NIS 39 million (U.S. $10.7 million). The dividend was paid on April 23, 2013.

Issuance of bonds

a.  On January 31, 2013, the bonds series of Dor Alon (Series C and D) was expanded by a private offering of NIS 21 million par value of bonds (Series C) to institutional investors for 97.95% of their par value, reflecting a return of 5.3% and NIS 129 million par value of bonds (Series D) for 103.8% of their par value, reflecting a return of 5.2%.

b.  On May 13, 2013, Midroog announced the ratification of the A2 rating on bonds (series A and C) issued by the Company, while changing the outlook from stable to negative. In addition, Midroog ratifies the P-1 rating with for commercial paper issued by the Company in the amount of NIS 75 million up to NIS 120 million.

c.  On May 20, 2013 the bonds series of BSRE (Series D) was expanded by a privet offering of NIS 76 million par value of bonds (Series D) to institutional investors for 117.9% of their par value, reflecting a return of 2.8%.

d. On May 28, 2013, Midroog announced the ratification of the A1 rating on bonds (series A to D) issued by BSRE, while changing the outlook from negative to stable. In addition, Midroog granted A1 rating with stable outlook for bonds up to NIS 100 million par value which BSRE intends to issue by expanding one of its existing series.

Post balance sheet events

On May 7, 2013, the Company sold 3.5% of BSRE shares for NIS 49 million. After the sale, the Company holds 74.76% of BSRE share capital.

NOTE A: Convenience Translation to Dollars
The convenience translation of New Israeli Shekel (NIS) into U.S. dollars was made at the exchange rate prevailing at March 31, 2013: U.S. $1.00 equals NIS 3.648. The translation was made solely for the convenience of the reader.

Alon Blue Square Israel Ltd. (hereinafter: "Alon Blue Square") is the leading retail company in the State of Israel and operates in four reporting segments: In its supermarket segment, Alon Blue Square, as a pioneer in the modern food retail, through its 100% subsidiary, Mega Retail Ltd., currently operates 211 supermarkets under different formats, each offering a wide range of food products, "Near Food" products and "Non-Food" products at varying levels of service and pricing. In its "Non-Food" segment, Alon Blue Square, through its 100% subsidiary BEE Group Retail Ltd., operates specialist outlets in self-operation and franchises and offers a wide range of "Non-Food" products as retailer and wholesaler. In the Fueling and Commercial Sites segment, through its 78.43% subsidiary, which is listed on the Tel Aviv stock exchange ("TASE"), Dor Alon Energy in Israel (1988) Ltd is one of the four largest fuel retail companies in Israel based on the number of petrol stations and a leader in the field of convenience stores. Dor Alon operates a chain of 203 petrol stations and 209 convenience stores in different formats in Israel. In its Real Estate segment, Alon Blue Square, through its TASE traded 74.76% subsidiary Blue Square Real Estate Ltd., owns, leases and develops yield generating commercial properties and projects. In other segments, Alon Blue Square through its 100% subsidiary, Alon Cellular Ltd, operates an MVNO network in Israel and through Diners Club Israel Ltd., an associate held at 49%, which operates in the sector of issuance and clearance of YOU credit cards to the customer club members of the group. 

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, plans or projections about our business, our future revenues, expenses and profitability. Forward-looking statements may be, but are not necessarily, identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," and words and terms of similar substance.  Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events, results, performance, circumstance and achievements to be materially different from any future events, results, performance, circumstance and achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, the following: the effect of the economic conditions in Israel on the sales in our stores and of our products and on our profitability; our ability to compete effectively against low-priced supermarkets, large fuel companies and our other competitors; enactment of new laws and regulations, including the enactment of recommendations of governmental appointed committees and regulations with respect to the procurement of petroleum products by fuel companies and the price of petroleum products that are subject to regulation; quarterly fluctuations in our operating results that may cause volatility of our ADS and share price; fluctuations in the price of petroleum products and increases in excise tax rates imposed on the sale of petroleum products in Israel; risks associated with our dependence on a limited number of key suppliers for products that we sell in our stores; the effect of an increase in the minimum wage in Israel on our operating results; the effect of any actions taken by the Israeli Antitrust Authority on our ability to execute our business strategy and on our profitability; the effect of increases in oil, raw material and product prices in recent years; the effects of damage to our reputation or to the reputation of our store brands due to reports in the media or otherwise; government policies with respect to residential building may have a negative impact on our operations in residential building, and other risks, uncertainties and factors disclosed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including, but not limited to, risks, uncertainties and factors identified under the heading "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012.  You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.  Except for our ongoing obligations to disclose material information under the applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.

(Continued - 2)

(Concluded - 3)

*    Net of grant of loans or loans received from subsidiaries

ALON BLUE SQUARE ISRAEL LTD.
FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2013
(UNAUDITED)

Note 1 - Segment reporting

The Company includes segment information according to IFRS 8. The reporting is based on the Company's organizational structure, the internal reporting, the allocation of resources and the decision-making process. The Company presents four reporting segments: Supermarkets, Fueling and Commercial sites, Non-Food Retail and Wholesale and Real Estate in addition to other segment which includes mainly Cellular activity and the Company's share in the issuance and clearance activity of credit cards. The segments' results include the operating profit before financial expenses from continuing operations including the Company's share in gains (losses) of associates. The segments' results for prior periods were adjusted[4] in order to reflect the segment's results and the adjustment to the results in the consolidated report for those periods from continuing operations.

The Company's operating segments consist of the following:

1. Fueling and commercial sites – Through its subsidiary Dor-Alon the Company is engaged in the development, construction and operation of vehicle fueling stations, adjacent commercial centers and independent convenience stores, marketing of fuel products and other products through the fueling stations and convenience stores and direct marketing of distillates to customers. The fueling and commercial sites segment is presented according to the published financial statements of Dor-Alon, with reclassification of credit card fees and with the amortization of the excess of cost arising at the time of acquisition allocated to the reconciliation between the operating profit of the segment and the total operating profit.
2. Supermarkets – The Company operates the second largest food retail chain in Israel. Through its subsidiary, Mega Retail Ltd. ("Mega Retail"), which operates Supermarket branches, the Company offers a wide range of food and beverage products and "Non-food" items, such as houseware, toys, small electrical appliances, computers and computer accessories, entertainment and leisure products and textile products and "Near-Food" products, such as health and beauty aids, products for infants, cosmetics and hygiene products. As of March 31, 2013, Mega Retail operated 211 supermarkets. This segment also includes properties owned through Blue Square Real Estate ("BSRE"), in connection with the supermarket operation of Mega Retail's stores (including warehouses and offices).
3. Non-Food (Retail and Wholesale) – Mostly through its subsidiary, BEE Group Retail Ltd. ("BEE Group"), the Company is engaged in non-food retail and wholesale activities. As of March 31, 2013, the Company operated 138 non-food retail outlets, some through franchisees, with specialties in houseware and home textile, toys, leisure, and infant. This segment also includes properties owned through Blue Square Real Estate ("BSRE") which are used by the segment.
4. Real Estate – Through its subsidiary BSRE the Company is engaged in generating yield from commercial centers, logistics centers and offices, land for the purpose of capital appreciation and deriving long-term yield as well as in the development of the "Wholesale Market" residency project.
5. Others – Alon Blue Square through its 100% subsidiary, Alon Cellular Ltd, operates an MVNO network in Israel and through Diners Club Israel Ltd., an associate held at 49%, which operates in the sector of issuance and clearance of YOU credit cards to the customer club members of the group. 

[1] Effective January 1, 2013, the Company applies IFRS 11 "Joint Arrangements" (IFRS 11 or the Standard). IFRS 11 is to be applied retrospectively in financial statements for annual periods such that comparative figures are restated. According to the Standard, investments in jointly controlled entities (Joint ventures) are no longer to be consolidated proportionally but rather the company's investments in these ventures should be presented according to the equity method of accounting. Investments in joint operations shall continue to be consolidated under the proportionate consolidation method in the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company's share in gains (losses) of associates is presented under operating income since associates are integrated into the operations of the Company. For the effect of the adoption as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2012, and for the periods ending on those dates on the assets, liabilities, equity, results and cash flows of the Company, see further details in this report below.   

[2] The Company operates in four reportable segments: Supermarkets, Fueling and Commercial sites, Non Food retail and wholesale and Real Estate. Segmental information is included in this report below.

[3] Use of financial measures that are not in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Adjusted EBITDA is a measure that is not in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (Non-GAAP) and is defined as income before financial income (expenses) net, other gains (losses) net, changes in fair value of investment property, taxes, share in gains of associates, depreciation and amortization in addition to share in adjusted EBITDA of equity accounted investees. It is an accepted ratio in the retail industry. It is presented as an additional performance measure, since it enables comparisons of operating performances between periods and companies while neutralizing potential differences resulting from changes in capital structures, taxes, age of property and equipment and its related depreciation expenses. Adjusted EBITDA, however, should not be related to as a single measure or as an alternative to operating income, another performance indicator and to cash flow information, which are prepared using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) as indicators of profit or liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA does not take the costs of servicing debt and other liabilities into account, including capital expenditures and therefore it does not necessarily indicate the amounts that may be available to the use of the company and in addition Adjusted EBITDA should not be compared to other indicators with similar names reported by other companies because of differences in the calculation of these indicators. See the reconciliation between our net income and Adjusted EBITDA which is presented in this press release.

[4] The adjustments include retrospective applications of IFRS 11 "Joint Arrangements" (the Company's share in previously consolidated companies by the proportionate method in the Company's consolidated financial statements and their results are presented now under the Company's share in gains (losses) of associates and are included in this report in segment results) 

Contact:
Alon Blue Square-Israel Ltd.
Dror Moran, CFO
Toll-free telephone from U.S. and Canada: 888-572-4698
Telephone from rest of world: 972-3-928-2220
Fax: 972-3-928-2611
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Alon Holdings Blue Square - Israel Ltd.