Rating Rationale
April 06, 2020 | Mumbai
SSIPL Retail Limited
Ratings downgraded to 'CRISIL BB+/Negative/CRISIL A4+'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.126 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BB+/Negative (Downgraded from 'CRISIL BBB/Stable')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A4+ (Downgraded from 'CRISIL A3+')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has downgraded its ratings on the bank facilities of SSIPL Retail Ltd (SRL; part of the SSIPL group) to 'CRISIL BB+/Negative/CRISIL A4+' from 'CRISIL BBB/Stable/CRISIL A3+'.
 
The downgrade reflects the weakening of the SSIPL group's business risk profile on account of discontinuation of contract manufacturing for Nike. Though revenue is expected to remain stable but profitable will decline further in fiscal 2020; the group had profit before tax of negative Rs 12.2 crore between April and December in fiscal 2020. With economic disturbance during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 because of the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, profitability will dip further to negative Rs 15-17 crore in fiscal 2020, compared with positive Rs 0.6 crore in fiscal 2019.
 
The downgrade also factors in the weakening of the financial risk profile, as contraction of additional debt in fiscal 2020 ha weaken the capital structure, and decreased profitability will lead to weakening of debt protection metrics; interest coverage is estimated to decline to Rs 1.05 times in fiscal 2020 from 1.96 times in fiscal 2019. Though debt (for fiscal 2020) was serviced on time with contraction of additional working capital debt (as accrual was low), liquidity was seen under pressure due to reduced accruals.
 
Further change in rating outlook also follows measures taken by central and state governments towards containment of COVID-19, which includes temporary closure of non-critical establishments. In the wake of said lockdown, business operations will be impacted leading to further impact on financial risk profile, especially liquidity. While, Central government's measures are applicable till April 14, 2020, revocation of the measures will be contingent upon directive from the Central government and extent of spread of COVID-19. Though a sustained long period of closures can result in significant deterioration in credit profiles of company, a faster reversal to normalcy may contain the extent of such deterioration. That said, the ability of the business to revert back to operational stability, and any relief measures given by the government will be a key monitorable, and CRISIL will continue monitoring these events.
 
The ratings reflect the SSIPL group's established position in the Indian footwear industry. The strength is partially offset by low profitability amid exposure to intense competition and weak financial risk profile.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of SRL and its fully owned subsidiary, SSIPL Lifestyle Pvt Ltd (SLS). This is because the two companies, together referred to as the SSIPL group, have a common management and strong business linkages, and are in the same business.

Please refer Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strength: 
* Established position in the Indian footwear industry: The group has healthy relationships with global brands, such as Nike, Clarks, Lotto, Levis, and United Colors of Benetton (UCB); and has diversified into manufacturing, distributorship, and retailing. In the retail segment, the group caters to all customer segments through exclusive and multi-brand outlets. These factors and the addition of customers, such as Converse and Paragon, shall continue to support the business risk profile going forward. On account of its strong position, revenue was healthy despite the fragmented nature of the industry and the same is expected at Rs 800-825 crore in fiscal 2020.
 
Weaknesses:
* Low profitability and exposure to intense competition: The footwear industry has many organised and unorganised players. Moreover, the group faces competition from online retailers. The intense competition and discontinuation of contract manufacturing for Nike (which was a high-margin segment) led to decline in profitability in fiscal 2019, which will decrease further in fiscal 2020 leading to net loss. Improvement in the operating margin will be a key monitorable over the medium term.
 
* Weak financial risk profile: Contraction of additional debt and reduced networth (on account of loss) will weaken the capital structure. Total outside liabilities to tangible networth ratio is expected to increase to more than 3 times as on March 31, 2020, from 2.6 times a year earlier. Low profitability will weaken the debt protection metrics, with interest coverage expected at 1.05 times in fiscal 2020, compared with 1.96 times in fiscal 2019. Though the group has nil debt-funded capital expenditure, improvement in the financial risk profile on account of better accretion to reserve will be a key monitorable over the medium term.
Liquidity Stretched

Though accrual was not sufficient to meet debt obligation (in fiscal 2020), contraction of working capital debt led to timely servicing of debt in fiscal 2020. Though accrual is expected to improve to Rs 15-17 crore over the medium term on account of expected improvement in operating profitability, it will barely cover the debt obligation of Rs 14-16 crore in each fiscal. Timely, need-based funds from the promoters and proposed enhancement in bank lines will support liquidity. On account of large working capital requirement, bank lines were utilised at 93% on average during the 12 months through February 2020.

Outlook: Negative

CRISIL believes SSIPL's business performance will remain under pressure over the medium term because of covid-19 outbreak and consequent closure of stores.

Rating Sensitivity factors
Upward factors
* Steady scale of operations and improvement in the operating margin, leading to cash accrual above Rs 30 crore
* Improvement in the financial risk profile, with interest coverage at more than 2.5 times and moderation in leverage
* Efficient working capital management
 
Downward factors
* Significant decline in profitability, resulting in accrual below Rs 15 crore
* Weakening of the capital structure or debt protection metrics, affecting the financial risk profile
About the Group

The SSIPL group is a specialty retailer of international sports and lifestyle brands in India, and has diversified into manufacturing, retailing, and distribution.
 
SRL is the flagship company of the SSIPL group, which was set up in 1994 as Moja Shoes Pvt Ltd by Mr Rishab Soni, Mr Sunil Taneja, and Mr Amit Mathur. It manufactures sports shoes for Puma, Lotto, and its own brand, Mmojah, and operates several Nike stores. The facilities are located in Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh.
 
Incorporated in 2007, SLS retails brands, such as Lotto, Levis, and UCB, and owns multibrand outlets (Sports Station, Shoetree, Value Station, and Mmojah).

Key Financial Indicators
As on / for the period ended March 31   2019 2018
Operating income Rs crore 838.5 832.49
Reported profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 0.59 11.97
PAT margin % 0.07 1.44
Adjusted debt /adjusted networth Times 1.42 1.13
Interest coverage Times 1.96 2.93
Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of
instrument
Date of
allotment
Coupon rate (%) Maturity
date
Issue size (Rs crore) Rating assigned with outlook
NA Cash Credit & Working Capital demand loan NA NA NA 122.0 CRISIL BB+/Negative
NA Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 4.0 CRISIL A4+
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Name of entities Extent of consolidation Rationale for consolidation
SSIPL Retail Ltd 100% Common management and strong business linkage
SSIPL Lifestyle Pvt Ltd 100%  Common management and strong business linkage
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  122.00  CRISIL BB+/Negative      07-10-19  CRISIL BBB/Stable  27-09-18  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+  13-10-17  CRISIL A-/Stable  CRISIL A-/Positive 
                02-08-18  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+       
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  4.00  CRISIL A4+      07-10-19  CRISIL A3+  27-09-18  CRISIL A2+  13-10-17  CRISIL A2+  CRISIL A2+ 
                02-08-18  CRISIL A2+       
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit & Working Capital demand loan 122 CRISIL BB+/Negative Cash Credit & Working Capital demand loan 122 CRISIL BBB/Stable
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 4 CRISIL A4+ Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 4 CRISIL A3+
Total 126 -- Total 126 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Retailing Industry
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

For further information contact:
Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk
Saman Khan
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 3895
B: +91 22 3342 3000
saman.khan@crisil.com

Naireen Ahmed
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1818
B: +91 22 3342 3000
naireen.ahmed@crisil.com

Nitin Kansal
Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 124 672 2154
nitin.kansal@crisil.com


Gaurav Arora
Rating Analyst - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 124 672 2181
Gaurav.Arora@crisil.com


Timings: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Toll free Number:1800 267 1301

For a copy of Rationales / Rating Reports:
CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com
 
For Analytical queries:
ratingsinvestordesk@crisil.com


 

Note for Media:
This rating rationale is transmitted to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your newspaper / magazine / agency. The rating rationale may be used by you in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof but with due credit to CRISIL. However, CRISIL alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites, portals etc.


About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a leading agile and innovative, global analytics company driven by its mission of making markets function better. We are India’s foremost provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions. A strong track record of growth, culture of innovation and global footprint sets us apart. We have delivered independent opinions, actionable insights, and efficient solutions to over 1,00,000 customers.
 
We are majority owned by S&P Global Inc., a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide.
 
For more information, visit www.crisil.com 


Connect with us: TWITTER | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK

About CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Ratings is part of CRISIL Limited (“CRISIL”). We pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. CRISIL is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, CRISIL sets the standards in the credit rating business. We rate the entire range of debt instruments, such as, bank loans, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, non-convertible / convertible / partially convertible bonds and debentures, perpetual bonds, bank hybrid capital instruments, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured debt instruments. We have rated over 24,500 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. CRISIL has also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including rating municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and microfinance institutions. We also pioneered a globally unique rating service for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and significantly extended the accessibility to rating services to a wider market. Over 1,10,000 MSMEs have been rated by us.


CRISIL PRIVACY
 
CRISIL respects your privacy. We may use your contact information, such as your name, address, and email id to fulfil your request and service your account and to provide you with additional information from CRISIL.For further information on CRISIL’s privacy policy please visit www.crisil.com.


DISCLAIMER

This disclaimer forms part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale that we provide (each a “Report”). For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Report” includes the information, ratings and other content forming part of the Report. The Report is intended for the jurisdiction of India only. This Report does not constitute an offer of services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in the Report is to be construed as CRISIL providing or intending to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities referred to above. Access or use of this Report does not create a client relationship between CRISIL and the user.

We are not aware that any user intends to rely on the Report or of the manner in which a user intends to use the Report. In preparing our Report we have not taken into consideration the objectives or particular needs of any particular user. It is made abundantly clear that the Report is not intended to and does not constitute an investment advice. The Report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment in any securities, instruments, facilities or solicitation of any kind or otherwise enter into any deal or transaction with the entity to which the Report pertains. The Report should not be the sole or primary basis for any investment decision within the meaning of any law or regulation (including the laws and regulations applicable in the US).

Ratings from CRISIL Rating are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities / instruments or to make any investment decisions. Any opinions expressed here are in good faith, are subject to change without notice, and are only current as of the stated date of their issue. CRISIL assumes no obligation to update its opinions following publication in any form or format although CRISIL may disseminate its opinions and analysis. CRISIL rating contained in the Report is not a substitute for the skill, judgment and experience of the user, its management, employees, advisors and/or clients when making investment or other business decisions. The recipients of the Report should rely on their own judgment and take their own professional advice before acting on the Report in any way.CRISIL or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the company/entity.

Neither CRISIL nor its affiliates, third party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, “CRISIL Parties”) guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Report, and no CRISIL Party shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein, regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of any part of the Report. EACH CRISIL PARTY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. In no event shall any CRISIL Party be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of any part of the Report even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

CRISIL Ratings may receive compensation for its ratings and certain credit-related analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of the instruments, facilities, securities or from obligors. CRISIL’s public ratings and analysis as are required to be disclosed under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (and other applicable regulations, if any) are made available on its web sites, www.crisil.com (free of charge). Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee – more details about CRISIL ratings are available here: www.crisilratings.com.

CRISIL and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary. While CRISIL has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, CRISIL does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and / or relies in its Reports. CRISIL keeps certain activities of its business units separate from each other in order to preserve the independence and objectivity of the respective activity. As a result, certain business units of CRISIL may have information that is not available to other CRISIL business units. CRISIL has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process. CRISIL has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for analytical firewalls and for managing conflict of interest. For details please refer to: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html

CRISIL’s rating criteria are generally available without charge to the public on the CRISIL public web site, www.crisil.com. For latest rating information on any instrument of any company rated by CRISIL you may contact CRISIL RATING DESK at CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 1301.

This Report should not be reproduced or redistributed to any other person or in any form without a prior written consent of CRISIL.

All rights reserved @ CRISIL