| • News to Investors (December 15, 2009) |
Announcement for the Banking and Investor Communities
Almacenes Exito wants to inform that according to the amortization schedule
of the USD 300 million Syndicated Loan signed in 2006, the first tranche
of US$120 million and the first installment out of five of the second
tranche in the amount of US$36 million were paid to JP Morgan as
Administrative Agent on December 7, 2009.
These payments contribute to the reduction of the indebtedness of the
company, which will be reflected in the balance sheet to be reported at
year end.
| • News to Investors (December 2, 2009) |
Announcement for the Banking and Investor Communities
Almacenes Éxito S.A. hereby announces a change in its Senior Management, as
recently approved by its Board of Directors.
Having spent an outstanding 25 years with the Company, and after a rigorous
personal decision that was shared with the CEO and the governing bodies of
this Organization, Miss Edith Maria Hoyos, our present Chief Financial
Officer has announced that she shall be leaving the Company next December 31, 2009. It has not been easy for Senior Management to accept this
decision, given the superior personal and professional qualities that Edith
Maria has demonstrated during all these years she has been with us. In
taking a structured, professional and proactive stance, Edith Maria has provided the Company with a confidence to grapple with even the most
audacious strategic moves taken over these last few years.
In the light of the above, the Organization shall be welcoming Mr. Laurent
Zecri as its new Chief Financial Officer. Laurent is an economist holding a
Master´s degree in Finance. He is also a certified public accountant. After
working in the banking sector, at Société Générale, Laurent joined the
Casino Group in 1997. Here he held various positions in the areas of
Hypermarket Operations, Mergers and Acquisitions, Finance and Risk
Management and then in Switzerland at the IRTS Procurement Headquarters. It
was in Switzerland where he was made General Manager of Casino
International, and later in 2006, was transferred to Venezuela where he
held the post of General Administrative and Finance Manager of Cativen. He
has spent several months in Colombia getting to know the country better and
settling in with his family. As of November 15th, he took over as Chief
Finance Officer of the Éxito Group.
Almacenes Éxito and its Board of Directors have expressed their deepest
gratitude to Edith Maria for her years of service to the Company and have warmly welcomed Mr. Zecri who has now enthusiastically formed a part of the Senior Management team.
Yours sincerely,
Gonzalo Restrepo López
Chief Executive Officer
| • News to Investors (November 19, 2009) |
Almacenes Exito informs that on November 18 ended the first round of the currently issuance of ordinary shares and 28,746,815 shares were suscribed equivalent to 95.8% of the total issuance of 30 million. For the second round which will start on November 25, there are 1,253,185 shares available to the existing shareholders, holders of GDRs and the general public.
We also want to inform that MSCI Inc. announced the results of the November 2009 Semi Annual Index Review and decided to add Exito´s stock in the Morgan Stanley Capital International World Index - Emerging Markets.
| • News to Investors (October 26, 2009) |
Almacenes Éxito S.A. brings forward the purchase of the stake held by the remaining shareholders of Carulla Vivero and lays the ground for obtaining the benefits of a future merger.
In accordance with that stipulated in Article 1.1.2.18 of Decree 3139 issued September 12, 2006, we wish to make the following announcement:
In 2006, Almacenes Éxito S.A. (“Éxito” or the “Company”) together with certain shareholders of Carulla Vivero S.A. (“Carulla”) formed a strategic alliance by virtue of which Éxito became a majority shareholder of Carulla with certain other shareholders, holding a 22.5% in its share capital (the “Remaining Shareholders”), agreeing to remain in Carulla as Éxito's partners, by means of the preferred shares therein accorded to them. This alliance involved Éxito issuing puts for said preferred stock, these to be exercised at the end of a period of three years. The first window for exercising said puts shall begin on March 15, 2010.
Said rights were stipulated in the “Exit Rights Agreement” or “Original Agreement” signed and duly announced to the market on August 19, 2006.
On October 26, 2009, with due authorization from its Board of Directors, Éxito came to an agreement with the Remaining Shareholders to amend the Original Agreement producing an “Amended and Restated Exit Rights Agreement” or “New Agreement” whereby the date on which put rights can be exercised on Carulla´s preferred shares was brought forward and it was agreed that half of the funds received would be reinvested in Exito ordinary shares.
- The price agreed upon for purchasing the entire amount (100%) of the Preferred Stock held by the Remaining Shareholders is US $ 27.91 per share, which is equivalent to US $7.75 per Éxito share based on the exchange ratio established in the Original Agreement.
- This price is in line with Exito´s average share price as recorded on the Colombian Stock Exchange over a period of six months prior to October 23, 2009, calculated using the average exchange rate applicable during the days before said transaction is closed.
- The price of these Preferred Shares may be adjusted depending on the future performance of Exito´s ordinary shares during a term of up to 30 months beginning on March 15, 2010.
- Upon acquiring these Preferred Shares, Éxito shall hold a 99.84% share in Carulla.
Carulla´s Remaining Shareholders shall subscribe a total of 14,349,285 ordinary shares in Éxito at a price of US$7,75 per share, this being equivalent to half the amount of Preferred shares based on the exchange ratio stipulated in the Original Agreement. This issue shall be carried out as part of a private offer, without being subject to any pre-emptive rights and upon obtaining the consent of Exito´s shareholders at an upcoming Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting. Unless the parties agree otherwise, in which case both the Colombian Superintendency of Finance and the market at large shall be opportunely informed, the Remaining Shareholders have agreed not to dispose of these shares until March 15, 2010.
Éxito intends to finance part of this purchase of Preferred Shares using its own funds, bank loans or the proceeds from an issue of ordinary shares for which the Company has obtained due authorization from the Colombian Superintendency of Finance.
The Éxito shareholders who still remain party to the Éxito Shareholder Agreement signed on December 19, 2009 together with the Remaining Shareholders have also agreed to amend the Éxito Voting Agreement, signed last December 13, 2006. According to the terms and conditions containing in this Voting Agreement, the Remaining Shareholders shall continue to be entitled to appoint a candidate to fill an independent seat on Exito´s Board of Directors, and all those persons who are party to such Agreement are bound to vote for this member to be appointed as an independent member of the Board of Directors.
The purchase of these Preferred Shares and the Ordinary Shares to be issued by Éxito to the Remaining Shareholders are still dependent on the Colombian oversight authorities authorizing such, as well as the fulfillment of other terms and conditions that are usual in this type of transaction. The parties expect that all these terms and conditions shall be duly complied with before December 31, 2009.
This shall allow the Company to determine beforehand the value of the put governing said Preferred Shares, thereby reducing the amount of future obligations contained in these agreements and laying the ground to obtain the benefits of a possible merger.
| • News to Investors (October 26, 2009) |
Almacenes Éxito announces a new issue of 30 million ordinary shares to consolidate its growth platform
In accordance with applicable legislation in particularly that set out in Article 1.1.2.18 of Decree 3139 dated September 12, 2006, we hereby announce that the Office for Issuers, Investment Portfolios and other Agents, pertaining to the Colombian Superintendency of Finance, by means of Resolution 1626 dated October 23, 2009, authorized Almacenes Éxito S.A. (“Éxito” or the “Company”) to proceed with a public offer of ordinary shares on the primary market, the characteristics of which are as follows:
- Total Value of this Issue: Four hundred and thirty-five thousand million Colombian pesos
- Type of share: Ordinary
- No Shares to be offered: Thirty million (30.000.000)
- Transfer Mechanism: Registered
- Nominal Share Value Ten ($10.00) Colombian pesos.
1. CALCULATING PREEMPTIVE SHARE SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
In calculating the preemptive subscription rights which the Company’s current shareholders are entitled to exercise during the first round a ratio of cero point one, zero three eight six nine two three (0.10386923) shall be used, this resulting from dividing a) the number of ordinary shares to be issued, which comes to thirty million (30,000,000) by b) the number of ordinary shares outstanding on the date on which the issue regulations are approved, which comes to two hundred and eighty-eight million, eight hundred and twenty-four thousand seven hundred and nineteen (288,824,719).
2. PLACEMENT AGENTS:
In addition to the Leading Placement Agent for this issue, Corredores Asociados S.A. Comisionista de Bolsa, at the following address: Carrera 7 No. 71 – 52 Torre B Piso 16, Tel (1) 3123300, Fax (1) 3122728, Bogotá D.C., the following firms have been appointed to act as Placement Agents: Correval S.A. Comisionista de Bolsa. Address:Calle 34 No. 6 – 65, Tel: (1) 3394400, Fax: (1) 2886972, Bogotá D.C., Interbolsa S.A. Sociedad Comisionista de Bolsa. Address: Avenida 82 12-18 Piso 3, Tel: (1) 3121177, Fax: (1) 3256544 Bogotá D.C., Serfinco S.A. Comisionista de Bolsa Address: Carrera 43A No. 1 - 50 Torre 1 San Fernando Plaza, Tel: (4) 444 3522, Fax: (4) 3106565, Medellín and Valores Bancolombia S.A. Comisionista de Bolsa Address: Carrera 48 Nº 26 - 85 Torre Sur Piso 6 Edificio Bancolombia, Tel: (4) 4040000, Fax (4) 5763514 Medellín.
3. INTENDED RECIPIENTS
This offer of ordinary shares is aimed at the following recipients:
a. Current Shareholders:
These are all those natural, corporate or foreign persons holding ordinary shares in the Company who appear in its shareholders´ register at 06:00:00 AM, Colombian time, on the day the Public Offer Notice is published. For this purpose, all those shares purchased on the Colombian Stock Exchange as part of the trades conducted on the day the Public Offer Notice is published shall not be eligible.
b. Assignees:
These are all those natural, corporate or foreign persons purchasing pre-emptive subscription rights from current shareholders on the Colombian stock exchange as stipulated in Sub-Section 6.1.2. of the Public Offer Notice.
c. Holders of Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs):
These are all those natural, corporate or foreign persons who provide evidence of holding GDRs issued by the Company through the GDR program, with JPMorgan Chase acting as international depositary, at 06:00:00 AM, Colombian time, on the day the Public Offer Notice is published.
a. General Public: This category includes natural, corporate or foreign persons.
4. PROCEDURE BY WHICH SHARES SHALL BE OFFERED:
These Ordinary Shares shall be offered to the public in the form of two (2) rounds, as follows:
4.1 First Round
4.1.1 Pre-emptive Subscription Rights
The Company’s current shareholders together with their assignees shall be entitled to exercise their pre-emptive subscription rights to a number of Ordinary Shares equivalent to the integer resulting from multiplying (i) the number of Ordinary Shares held or corresponding assigned subscription rights (as applicable) as appearing in the Company’s shareholder register at 06:00:00 AM, Colombian time, on the day the Public Offer Notice is published by (ii) a ratio of zero point one zero three eight six nine two three (0.10386923).
Current shareholders may decide whether to exercise their corresponding preemptive subscription rights or, failing this, transfer these according to the terms stipulated in section 6.1.2. of the Public Offer Notice
4.1.1 Assigning Preemptive Subscription Rights
Preemptive subscription rights are negotiable. These rights can be assigned either totally or in part only between the date on which the Public Offer Notice is published and during the first ten (10) business days of the term stipulated for the first round. Also, any fractional amounts resulting from the calculations made may be transferred either totally or partially by the current shareholders to the respective assignees during the first (10) business days of the term stipulated for the first round, but in any event the amount thus subscribed shall be a whole number of Ordinary Shares.
Subscription rights may only be assigned through brokerage firms that are members of the Colombian stock exchange, and these shall be negotiated using the trading systems belonging to Colombian stock exchange. This requirement shall be complied with using the stock market’s clearing and settlement systems. The maximum term stipulated for assigning pre-emptive subscription rights obeys the requirements of the clearing and settlement systems deployed by the Colombian Stock Exchange.
The respective Assignees may not renegotiate any subscription rights that are thus assigned to them.
4.2 Second Round
Any Ordinary Shares that are not subscribed in the First Round shall be subscribed in the Second Round amongst the following categories of intended recipients: (c) GDR holders; and (d) the general public; as stipulated in Section 5 of the Public Offer Notice, and within a term of five (5) business days beginning on the fifth business day after the date on which the term of the first round expires, and at the same price as stipulated for the first round.
5. SUBSCRIPTION TERM AND VALIDITY OF THIS PUBLIC OFFER:
The terms for which this Offer shall remain valid and shares are to be subscribed, in the case of each round, are as follows:
5.1 First Round
Fifteen (15) business days as of the date on which the Public Offer Notice is published. Shares may be subscribed during the first round using preemptive subscription rights.
5.2 Second Round
Five (5) business days, beginning on the fifth business day following the date on which the term stipulated for the first round expires.
The other characteristics of this offer shall be made known in the Offer Notice published in a widely-circulating national newspaper and in the corresponding Prospectus.
As of the date on which the Offer Notice is published, copies of the prospectus shall be made available at the Colombian Superintendency of Finance, the Colombian Stock Exchange, the Company’s own premises and at the offices of the placement agents. This prospectus shall contain all that information stipulated by Resolution 400 of 1995 and Resolution 2375 of 2006.
II. The Company’s Board of Directors at meeting not attended in person and held today, based on the Price Determination Methodology contained in the Issue and Placement Regulations that were duly approved by said governing body, decided on a Subscription Price for each share in the amount of fourteen thousand five hundred ($14, 500) pesos .
| • News to Investors (October 23, 2009) |
Almacenes Exito announces that a new EXITO hypermarket was opened this week in Manizales, a mid-size city located in the west-central region of Colombia. With an investment of approximately COP$28,000 million and a selling area of 4,400 sqm, the EXITO Manizales store is the second opening of this year and the 89th hypermarket of the company.
| • News to Investors (October 8, 2009) |
Almacenes Exito wants to inform that a new EXITO hypermarket was opened yesterday in Barrancabermeja, a mid-size city located in the east side of Colombia. This store has a selling area of approximately 5,500 sqm and the investment was around of COP$23,000 million.
EXITO Barrancabermeja is the first store with the new brand image of the EXITO brand, which looks more modern and close to today's consumer. With this store, the company reached 88 hypermarkets
| • News to Investors (September 25, 2009) |
The Technical Ratings Committee of Fitch Ratings Colombia S.A. at a meeting held on September 21, 2009, decided to maintain a “AAA (col)” rating along with a stable outlook to Almacenes Éxito S.A.'s issuing of Ordinary Bonds. Obligations rated in the Triple A category have the highest credit quality and have considered the best credit quality compared to other issuers or issues in the country.
Bonds of Almacenes Exito account for COP$105,000 million with maturities of 5 and 7 years, being the first tranche due in 2011.
| • News to Investors (September 3, 2009) |
Almacenes Exito hereby announces that its Board of Directors authorized the management to perform Sale & Lease Back transaction with its remaining 50% stake in the Distribution Center Las Vegas, located in Envigado, for a total amount of COP$65.000.000.000.
With this operation Almacenes Exito S.A. continues with the optimization of its cash position, which allows it to strengthen its working capital and to maintain stable levels of leverage in the year 2009.
| • News to Investors (August 14 de 2009 ) |
Following with its brand consolidation program, Almacenes Exito S.A. announces that in July and August, 2009, 28 stores began operations under the Bodega and Bodeguita Surtimax brand. These stores were previously operated under the Carulla, Merquefacil and Surtimax brands.
The total converted area accounts for 21,424 sqm of selling space, which makes the brand consolidation program reach 47 stores.
| Current brand | sqm | Previous brand |
| Bodega Caldas (C ) | 550 | Carulla Caldas |
| Bodega La Ceja ( C) | 698 | Carulla La Ceja |
| Bodeguita Barrancas (M) | 232 | Merquefacil Barrancas |
| Bodeguita Calle 129 (M) | 339 | Merquefacil Calle 129 |
| Bodeguita Calle 48 (M) | 1,120 | Merquefacil Calle 48 |
| Bodeguita Crespo (M) | 452 | Merquefacil Crespo |
| Bodeguita Funza (M) | 720 | Merquefacil Funza |
| Bodeguita León XIII (M) | 405 | Merquefacil León XIII |
| Bodeguita Metrocentro (M) | 179 | Merquefacil Metrocentro |
| Bodeguita Nueva Roma (M) | 243 | Merquefacil Nueva Roma |
| Bodeguita Carrera 51 | 259 | Merquefacil Prado Veraniego |
| Bodeguita Puerto Berrio (M) | 245 | Merquefacil Puerto Berrío |
| Bodeguita San Jorge (M) | 275 | Merquefacil San Jorge |
| Bodeguita Tibabuyes (M) | 336 | Merquefacil Tibabuyes |
| Bodeguita Trinitaria (M) | 369 | Merquefacil Trinitaria |
| Bodega Chía (S) | 1,443 | Surtimax Chía |
| Bodega Engativá (S) | 1,104 | Surtimax Engativá |
| Bodega Facatativá (S) | 1,333 | Surtimax Factativá |
| Bodega Girardot (S) | 1,712 | Surtimax Girardot |
| Bodega Mosquera (S) | 949 | Surtimax Mosquera |
| Bodega Prado Veraniego (S) | 1,322 | Surtimax Prado |
| Bodega San Blas (S) | 1,254 | Surtimax San Blas |
| Bodega Santa Lucía (S) | 815 | Surtimax Santa Lucía |
| Bodega Sogamoso (S) | 1,173 | Surtimax Sogamoso |
| Bodega Sohacha (S) | 782 | Surtimax Sohacha |
| Bodega Tunja (S) | 989 | Surtimax Tunja |
| Bodega Tunjuelito (S) | 739 | Surtimax Tunjuelito |
| Bodega Zipaquirá (S) | 1,387 | Surtimax Zipaquirá |
We also want to inform that following a year of operations in Colombia, Payless ShoeSource, the US based shoe chain, and Almacenes Exito S.A. entered into a commercial alliance to sell Payless products in 4 Exito hypermarkets located in the cities of Bogotá, Medellín and Barranquilla. This alliance will introduce Colombian consumers to the latest trends in shoes and accesories.
| • News to Investors ( July 24 , 2009) |
CAFAM and Almacenes Exito sign a business partnership agreement thereby strengthening their coverage and service
After 5 months of discussions in which different alternatives were explored, a business partnership agreement has been signed for the purpose of creating an alliance for both companies to conduct their store and pharmacy businesses.
This trade partnership agreement is firmly based on the inherent strengths of each organization: CAFAM´s expertise in the pharmacy business and Exito´s own retail experience, with all the consequent benefits for customers and CAFAM´s own members.
This is a business partnership agreement and is not to be construed as a merger or any type of sale or acquisition. This business partnership will allow CAFAM to operate and run 91 pharmacies located in the Éxito, Ley and Pomona stores throughout the country. On the other hand Almacenes Éxito S.A. will operate and run CAFAM´s 38 supermarkets and hypermarkets.
Each of these companies will be entitled to a share of the revenues that the other will obtain for the business for which it is responsible.
This partnership agreement is subject to the Colombian Superintendency of Industry and Commerce issuing a letter of no objection and to the Colombian Superintendency of Family Subsidies providing due authorization, as well as complying with various other conditions that are usual for this type of partnership. These two companies will subsequently decide on the transition towards the new operating model for their supermarkets, hypermarkets and pharmacies.
This partnership shows that even amid an economic slowdown and the need to exercise prudence over investments, creative growth opportunities can still be found.
| • News to Investors ( July 6th , 2009) |
Following the information issued on february 10, Almacenes Exito wishes to inform that its Board of Directors approved at its most recent meeting an alliance to be entered into with the Caja de Compensación Familiar – CAFAM and provided the company management with amply authority to bring about and conclude such agreement. The purpose of this alliance, should this be executed, could include operating certain supermarkets and pharmacies as well as other commercial activities aimed at taking full advantage of mutual synergies and facilities.
Furthermore, and subsequent to the signing of this agreement, the business arrangement shall be subject to:
(i) authorization on the part of the Colombian Superintendency of Family
Welfare Subsidies
(ii) a letter of no objection to be provided by the Colombian
Superintendency of Industry and Commerce; and
(iii) due compliance with other conditions precedent that are usual with
this type of business arrangement.
Should this be the case the Company shall be opportunely informing the
market of the date on which this alliance is to come into full force and
effect.
| • News to Investors ( June 19th , 2009) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform the beginning of the standardization program of the Bodega and Bodeguita Surtimax brands which includes the stores that currently operate under Q'precios and Merquefacil banners.
As of June 18, the Bodega Surtimax Manrique and Bodeguitas Surtimax: San Javier, Lopez de Mesa, San Javier Metro and Plaza de Flores opened its doors with a new image, giving with this format 2,238 m2 of selling area to the city of Medellin.
| • News to Investors ( June 5th , 2009) |  |
In compliance with the duty to disclose relevant information to the Finance
Superintendence of Colombia and the securities market, Almacenes Exito
hereby informs that today signed a promissory bill of sale with Fundación
Fraternidad Medellín, of 50% of the Distribution Center as Vegas, located
in Envigado (Antioquia).
Also both parties signed the promise, giving a lease option to the company, on the 50% of property, for a term of 17 years, as lessee of the aforementioned distribution center.
The total value of this transaction will be sixty five thousand, million colombian pesos (COP $65,000 million)
With this operation Almacenes Exito S.A. continue with the optimization of its cash position, which allows to strength its working capital and to maintain stable levels of leverage in the year 2009.
Attached please find a translated copy of the relevant information disclosed today.
| • News to Investors ( February 10th , 2009) |
Almacenes Exito (“Exito”) wants to inform that the company has begun conversations with the Caja de Compensación Familiar CAFAM (“CAFAM”) with a view to sign an alliance that may include operating several of its drug stores together or other business activities, taking benefits from the synergies and strengths belonging to both parties.
This alliance is subject to the parties arriving at a final satisfactory agreement, as well as fulfilling various other conditions that are commonplace with this type of agreements, including the approval of the legal authorities.
The parties shall disclose information to the market if they reach a final agreement, and should this be the case, the terms and conditions therein contained, this in keeping with all applicable rules and regulations regarding the disclosure of relevant information.
| • News to Investors ( January 27th , 2009) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that prior authorization from its Board of Directors, the company signed with Orkam Holding Colombia N.V., a Share Purchase Agreement, concerning the sale of 138,718 shares of Makro Supermayorista S.A and 2,473,906,756 shares of Comercial Inmobiliaria Internacional S.A.
The purchase price of the shares was agreed at an approximate value of COP$ 38,836 million. COP$ 27,740 million will be received the day scheduled for closing date January 30, 2009. The balance is payable in installments during the years 2009, 2010 and 2011.
This transaction has no material effect on the financial statements of the company because they were adequately provisioned. With this operation Almacenes Exito S.A. optimizes its cash position, which allows to strength its working capital and to maintain stable levels of leverage in the year 2009.
| • News to Investors (January 9th, 2009) |
Almacenes Exito informs that during the last month the former Merquefacil Cedritos store in Bogotá was converted to the supermarket format. The new Carulla Cedritos store has a selling area of approximately 276 sqm.
With this store, the company reached 94 supermarkets in the country and completed 28 conversions in 2008.
| • News to Investors (December 29, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito wants to inform that a new EXITO hypermarket was opened on December 5 in Zipaquirá, a small city near Bogotá. EXITO Zipaquirá has a selling area of approximately 2.000 sqm and the investment was around of COP16.000 million.
With this store, the company reached 87 hypermarkets in the country and completed 10 openings so far this year.
| • News to Investors (December 24, 2008) |
In compliance with the duty to disclose relevant information to the Finance Superintendence of Colombia and the securities market, Almacenes Exito S.A. hereby informs that yesterday signed public deeds of sale governing three pieces of property, on which two EXITO stores and a Distribution Center operate, located in Cali and Medellín and also a promissory bill of sale was entered into governing the property where the EXITO Buenavista store operates in Barranquilla, property of Carulla Vivero S.A.
Also both parties signed lease agreements for the three items of property thus sold, guaranteeing the Company's ongoing tenure, for a term of more than 15 years, as lessee of the aforementioned retail formats and distribution center.
| • News to Investors (November 22, 2008) |
Continuing with its expansion plan, Almacenes Exito wants to inform that 2
tores were inaugurated during this week:
On November 15th, the EXITO Tunal was opened in the city of Bogotá
with a selling area of approximately 4.800 m2. The investment was
approximately COP$36.400 million. With this hypermarket, the EXITO
brand completed 18 stores in Bogotá and the company accounts 86
hypermarkets in the country.
With a selling area of 1.450 m2 , the supermarket Carulla La
Visitación was inaugurated on November 21st in Medellin with an
investment of approximately COP$16.500 million. With this store, the
Carulla brand reached 18 stores in Medellin and the company completes
93 supermarkets in the country.
With these projects Almacenes Exito completes 9 openings so far this year.
| • News to Investors (November 12, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform the news during the month of October about the Bodega Surtimax format in Bogotá:
- The opening of Bodega Surtimax Claret store, with a selling area of approximately 2.000 m2. With this store, the company reaches 7 openings so far this year.
- The conversion of four former Surtimax stores to the Bodega Surtimax
format. With these new stores Plaza de las Américas, Villa de
Granada, Primavera and Bosa the Bodega Surtimax format reaches 14
stores and the company completes 27 conversions so far this year.
| • News to Investors (November 11, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito wants to inform that its Websites have been modified as
follows:
For Corportate information please visit www.almacenesexito.com
For our e-commerce site (virtualexito) please visit www.exito.com
The information for shareholders and investors will continue to be
available in both websites.
| • News to Investors (October 24, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that a new healthy food private label
"Taeq" was launched under the concept of "life in balance". This brand
offers the most ample range of nutritious and organic foods in the country.
"Taeq" will be available in EXITO, Carulla and POMONA stores with
approximately 70 SKUs.
| • News to Investors (October 21, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that the earnings release presenting
the financial results for the 3rd quarter ended September 30, 2008 is
already available on the website www.exito.com under "Accionistas e
Inversionistas"
| • News to Investors (October 8th, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that during the last month, the
Surtimax Suba store was converted to Bodega Surtimax format in the city of
Bogotá with a selling area of approximately 2,100sqm. Also, continuing with
the brand rationalization program, the Carulla Tunal and Surtimax Madelena
stores in Bogotá were closed.
| • News to Investors (September 25, 2008) |
Duff and Phelps kept the AAA (triple A) rating for the outstanding bonds
of Almacenes Exito S.A. (Sept. 22 /2008)
Duff and Phelps kept the AAA (triple A) rating for the outstanding bonds
of Almacenes Exito S.A. In its annual revision held in September 22,
2008, the technical committee decided to keep the rating and the stable
outlook. This risk rating means that Almacenes Exito´s bonds have the
highest credit quality with practically inexistent associated risk
factors.
Bonds of Almacenes Exito account for COP$105,000 million with maturities
of 5 and 7 years, being the first tranche due in 2011.
| • News to Investors (September 25, 2008) |
Duff and Phelps kept the AAA (triple A) rating for the outstanding bonds
of Almacenes Exito S.A. (Sept. 22 /2008)
Duff and Phelps kept the AAA (triple A) rating for the outstanding bonds
of Almacenes Exito S.A. In its annual revision held in September 22,
2008, the technical committee decided to keep the rating and the stable
outlook. This risk rating means that Almacenes Exito´s bonds have the
highest credit quality with practically inexistent associated risk
factors.
Bonds of Almacenes Exito account for COP$105,000 million with maturities
of 5 and 7 years, being the first tranche due in 2011.
| • News to Investors ( September 19, 2008 ) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that a former Ley Store began operations today under the EXITO banner. With the new EXITO Sogamoso (approx 1,800 m2) the EXITO brand reaches 82 stores nationwide. The investment made during the conversion of this store accounted for approximately COP$4,000 million.
With the completion of these projects the company has attained twenty two (22) conversions so far this year.
| • News to Investors ( September 3, 2008 ) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that a former Surtimax store began operations under the Bodega format. The Bodega Surtimax Calle 80 is located in the city of Bogotá and has a selling area of approximately 1,378 sqm. With this conversion the Bodega Surtimax format reaches eight (8) stores and the company has completed 21 conversions projects so far this year.
| • News to Investors (August 25, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform the opening of two new owned shopping
malls with a total investment approximately of COP$ 39,000 million.
In the city of Bogotá on August 23 the "Portal de la Sabana" shopping
center was inaugurated. It has 17,425 sqm and 33 stores including the
EXITO Fontibón as the anchor store.
On August 30 in the mid-town of Caucasia, near Medellin, will be the
opening of "Faro de Caucasia Plaza Comercial " shopping mall that will
offer within its 8,200 sqm 22 additional brands and the EXITO Caucasia as anchor store that was opened
last June.
With these new openings Almacenes Exito completes 7 shopping malls
throughout the country.
| • News to Investors (August 15, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that the new apparel private label
CMX, targeted to 4 to 12 years teens, is available in our stores.
News to Investors (August 25, 2008)
| • News to Investors (July 25, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that the new hypermarket EXITO Bosa
was inaugurated in the city of Bogotá on july 23, 2008. With this opening
the EXITO brand completes 17 stores in the capital city of Colombia. The
investment was approximately COP$31,000 millions and the store has a
selling area of 5.500 m2.
In addition to this, two former Ley stores located in the south of
Colombia, were converted on July 24 to the EXITO banner: the EXITO Pasto
with a selling area of approximately 2.700 m2 and the EXITO Ipiales with
1,700 m2. These projects demanded an investment of approximately COP$7,000
millions. Also, one Surtimax store located in Bogotá was converted to the
new format Bodega Surtimax, this store has a selling area of approximately
1.400 m2.
With these new opening and the 3 conversions the EXITO banner reaches 81
stores nationwide and the new Bodega Surtimax format 7. So far this year
the company has completed 20 conversion projects.
| • News to Investors (July 23, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that the earnings
release presenting the financial results for the 2nd
quarter ended June 30, 2008 is already available on
the website www.exito.com under
"Accionistas e Inversionistas".
| • News to Investors (July 3, 2008 ) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that during the month of june, 2008 three Surtimax stores were converted to Bodega Surtimax format in the city of Bogotá. The selling area for these stores ranges between 900m² and 1,500m². With these convertions the Bodega Surtimax format reaches six (6) stores and the company has attained a total of seventeen (17) conversions so far this year.
| • News to Investors (June 26, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that two former Ley Stores began operations yesterday under the EXITO banner. With the new EXITO Popayan (approx 2.300 m2) and the EXITO Villavicencio (approx 3.000m2), the EXITO brand reaches 78 stores nationwide. The investment made during the conversion of these stores accounted for approximately COP$7.200 million.
With the completion of these projects the company has attained fourteen (14) conversions so far this year.
| • News to Investors (June 13, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that a new EXITO store was
inaugurated today in Caucasia, a city near Medellin. This is the first
opening in that city and enhances our presence nationwide to 50 cities.
With this new store, the EXITO brand reaches 76 stores nation wide.
The EXITO Caucasia is the fourth opening of the year and it has an area of
approximately 4.000 m².
| • News to Investors (May 29, 2008) | |
| • News to Investors (May 23, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that one new Carulla store will be
inaugurated on Saturday may 24, 2008 in the city of Rionegro near
Medellin.
With this new opening, the Carulla brand reaches 82 stores nation wide.
The investment amounted approximately COP$15,000 million and this store
will have an area of 1,450m2 . Carulla Llanogrande is the third opening of
the year.
| • News to Investors (May 21, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that on may 15, 2008 three Surtimax stores were converted to Bodega and Bodeguita Surtimax format in the city of Bogotá. The rationale of the format is to reach the lower income brackets of the population with competitive prices. Selling area for this format will range between 400m² and 2,200m². With these convertions the company has attained a total of twelve (12) conversions so far this year.
| • News to Investors (May 07, 2008) |
EXITO Brand, the No. 1 Retail Brand In Latest Brand Recognition Survey
According to the latest "Top of the Mind" brand awareness survey, carried out in the main cities throughout Colombia in March, 2008 by the Invamer Gallup polling firm, the EXITO Brand was found to be the most recognized amongst the country's retail chains. The findings of this survey showed that the degree of brand recognition that our EXITO brand enjoys has been constantly climbing over recent years, evidencing the loyalty of our customers and their fondness for all that our brand represents.
This "top of the mind" position has been secured thanks to the customer service strategies deployed as well as the ability of our Organization to consistently communicate to all the different consumer segments. For the Colombian consumer, EXITO is the No. 1 retail brand and for us, this means an even greater pledge to continue providing the country with the best possible service.
| • News to Investors (April 30, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that two former Vivero Stores located in the city of Barranquilla began operations today under the EXITO banner. With the new EXITO Calle 77 (approx 5,600 m2) and the EXITO San Francisco (approx 6,500m2), the EXITO brand reaches 8 stores in this city and 75 nationwide. The investment made during the conversion of these stores accounted for approximately COP$11,000 million.With the completion of these projects the company has attained nine (9) conversions so far this year.
| • News to Investors (April 22, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that the earnings release presenting the financial results for the 1st quarter ended March 31, 2008 is already available on the website www.exito.com under "Accionistas e Inversionistas".
| • News to Investors (April 11, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that the a new EXITO store was inaugurated today in the city of Buenaventura. This is the first opening in that city and enhances our presence nationwide to 48 cities. The investment amounted approximately COP$12,300 millions. With this new store, the EXITO brand reaches 73 stores nation wide. The EXITO Buenaventura is the second opening of the year, it covers an area of almost 5.000 m2 and is the anchor store in the Brisas Plaza Shopping Mall.
| • News to Investors (April 8, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. is pleased to inform you that last Friday April 4th, the new EXITO Buenavista and EXITO Murillo stores began operations in the city of Barranquilla, these having been converted from their former Vivero format. The EXITO Buenavista store covers an area of almost 5.500 m2 and the EXITO Murillo store another 5.900 m2. , both offering the full-service Exito shopping experience. The conversion of these stores required an investment of approximately COP$9 thousand million. This is the seventh convertion so far this year, and it has brought the total number of stores under the Éxito brand to 72, 6 of these in the city of Barranquilla-.
| • News to Investors (March 28, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform to its shareholders, investors, analyst and the general public that the "Annual Report 2007" version in English and Spanish is already available in the home "Investor Relations" and "Relación con Inversionistas" , respectively, under "Accionistas e Inversionistas" tab of our website www.exito.com
| • News to Investors (March 28, 2008) | |
Almacenes Éxito S.A. hereby announces that it has received a communication from the Colombian Stock Exchange duly informing the ex-dividend dates according to the payment due dates stipulated by the General Assembly of Shareholders at a meeting held March 14, 2008.
The following schedule contains the ex-dividend dates that have been duly made official:
| BEGINNING DATE | ENDING DATE |
| 17/03/2008 | 01/04/2008 |
| 16/06/2008 | 01/07/2008 |
| 17/09/2008 | 01/10/2008 |
| 17/12/2008 | 02/01/2009 |
The document sent by the Colombian Stock Exchange is available on the "News" link under the "Accionistas e Inversionistas" tab on our web page www.exito.com
| • News to Investors (March 17, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that this week made the opening of two stores.
The first one corresponds to the reconstruction of the EXITO store in the
municipality of Fontibon, close to Bogotá, on March 18. This stores was
affected back in November 2007 by an accidental fire incident. The
reconstruction project was executed in a record three-month timetable,
which shows once again the reaction capabilities of the company encouraged
by the support of the employees and the surrounding community.This store
will have a sales area of about 3400 m2.
The second one corresponds to the opening of EXITO Robledo located in the
city of Medellin which began operations today. With a sales area of 4,300 m
2 and an investment of more than COP$ 45.000 million it becomes the number
70 for the EXITO brand of the company.
| • News to Investors (March 17, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that a former Vivero Store began operations last Saturday under the EXITO banner. This store is located in the city of Cartagena and becomes the number 69 for the Exito brand and the fifth in this city. It has an area of approximately 5,600 m2 and represents the fifth conversion so far this year.
| • News to Investors (March 14, 2008) | |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that in the General Shareholders’ Meeting held today, the following propositions were approved by the shareholders:
1. Management report presented by the Board of Directors and the Chief
Executive Officer, stand-alone and consolidated financial statements for
the period ended December 31st 2007 along with its accompanying materials
and other legally required documents.
2. Partial reform of the by-laws, (i) inclusion of fuel distribution into
the business object of the company, (ii) creation of the position of Chief
Operating Officer, (iii) extension of the appointed period from one year to
two for the members of the Board of Directors and External Auditors.
3. Management got the authorization to make appropriations during the 2008
– 2009 to execute donations in the amount of COP$2,000,000,000.
4. The dividend distribution proposition on the profits made during 2007
was approved.
5. The General Shareholders’ Meeting re-elected the members of the Board of
Directors for the period ended in March 2010. The honoraries payable to the
members were also approved.
6. The General Shareholders’ Meeting appointed the firm ERNST & YOUNG as
External Auditors for the company and approved the honoraries payable to
them.
| • News to Investors (Feb 29, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that today the company began its traditional Anniversary promotion. This year, in addition to the EXITO brand, the event will also have the participation of the brands Ley and Vivero. This commercial activity will be held in 110 stores throughout 39 cities. During the 13 days of the event, the customers will have the chance to buy more than 18 million items on sale.
The promotion also involves the new business of the company. The more than one million cardholders of the EXITO Card can pay their purchases and enjoy exclusive offers and additional discounts in some products. By the same token, the EXITO Travel business will grant discounts in some of its national and international packages including Miami and Panama.
| • News to Investors (Feb 21, 2008) | |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that three former Vivero Stores began operations yesterday under the Exito banner. Two of these stores are located in the city of Cartagena and the other one is located in the city of Barranquilla. With these conversions the Exito brand reaches four stores in each of theses cities and 67 nationwide. The investment made during the conversion of these three stores accounted for approximately COP$15,000 million. With the completion of these projects the company has attained four conversions so far this year.
Almacenes Exito S.A. also wants to report that relevant information submitted to the Superintendence of Finance as a result of the Board meeting held yesterday has been made available. It may be found on the company’s website under the “accionistas e inversionistas” tab on the news menu.
| • News to Investors (January 31st, 2008) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that a former Ley Store began operations today under the EXITO banner. This store is located in the city of Cartagena and becomes the number 65 for the EXITO brand and the second in this city. It has an area of approximately 3,100 m2 and accounts for the first conversion project of the year.
Contact
Jose Loaiza
(574) 339 6362 / 6560
jose.loaiza@grupo-exito.com
| • News to Investors (December 25, 2007) |
Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that on December 24th at 10:30 p.m., the Almacenes Exito Fire Crew detected an accidental fire that partially affected the Distribution Center “Vegas" located in the city of Envigado. The fire caused neither persons injured nor casualties. The event did not extend beyond the Distribution Center and did not affect the surrounding community. The Distribution Center “Vegas" is duly insured against this type of events. Management of the Company and insurers are assessing the scope of the damages. An emergency plan has been deployed to determine the causes of the fire, quantify damages and ensure the service to costumers. Local authorities are expected to determine the causes of the fire on a detailed manner. .
Thanks to the proper execution of the designed protocols for this type of events, Almacenes Exito S.A guarantees the normal operation of all its stores on a nation-wide scale. The operation will be supported by the unaffected sections of the Distribution Center “Vegas”, and by the other distribution centers of the network.
The distribution Center “Vegas” has a storage capacity of approximately 55,000 m2 and was opened in March 17, 2006. Management of the company will keep investors informed about the scope of damages and the plans to mitigate them.
| • News to Investors (December 19, 2007) | |
Today the Company has been informed of the amendment of the Stockholders Agreement of Almacenes Exito dated on October 7, 2005. This amendment results from the consolidation of the relationship among Casino, which has a 59.8% controlling stake in Exito, and its strategic partners.
In the attached document please find the press release disclosed to the market and the Company by the Groupe Casino.
| • News to Investors (December 19, 2007) | |
In compliance with the duty to disclose relevant information to the Finance Superintendence of Colombia and the securities market, Almacenes Exito hereby informs that after the authorization granted by the Board of Directors on December 11, yesterday the company entered into a Restricted Issuance Agreement (“RIA”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. (the “Depositary”) which complements the Global Depositary Shares (GDSs) program represented in Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) that was created by virtue of the Deposit Agreement executed with the Depositary on July, 27, 2007.
Attached please find a copy of the notice disclosed yesterday with a description of this information.
• News to Investors (December 12, 2007)
We have informed our shareholders and the securities market that the Board of Directors of Almacenes Exito S.A. (the “Company”), in a meeting held on December 11, 2007, authorized the management to enter into a Restricted Issuance Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., and to execute all other documents required in connection thereto, in order to complement the Deposit Agreement which the Company executed with such bank, in its capacity as Depositary, so as to implement the Company's GDR program.
The Restricted Issuance Agreement will complement the Company's GDR program in order to allow the shareholders of the Company which qualify as “affiliates”, pursuant to the securities laws and regulations of the United States of America, to have access to such program by depositing their common shares of the Company in exchange for the issuance of GDRs, provided that the remaining terms and conditions set forth in the Restricted Issuance Agreement are complied with. The GDR's will be subject to the limitations and restrictions set forth in the Restricted Issuance Agreement and will circulate independently of the GDRs issued in the original program.
| • News to Investors (December 7, 2007) | |
The Exito Business Group announces its new managerial structure:
Gonzalo Restrepo López continues as Chief Executive Officer of the Exito Business Group as well as Almacenes Exito S.A.
Carlos Mario Giraldo M. has been appointed Chief Executive Operating Officer for the Retail Business as well as Senior Vice-President of the Group.
| • News to Investors (Oct 1, 2007) | |
Duff and Phelps kept the AAA (triple A) rating for the outstanding bonds of Almacenes Exito S.A. (Oct. 1 /2007)
Duff and Phelps kept the AAA (triple A) rating for the outstanding bonds of Almacenes Exito S.A. In its annual revision held in September 21, 2007, the technical committee decided to keep the rating and modify the outlook from negative to stable. This risk rating means that Almacenes Exito´s bonds have the highest credit quality with practically inexistent associated risk factors.
According to the report, this rating reflects the successful funding strategy for the Carulla Vivero acquisition, the strengthening of the competitive position, current and expected growth, favorable evolution of the financial performance of the company, proper liquidity position, management´s qualifications and skills to move forward the integration process with Carulla in order to prepare the company to compete against local and international retailers, and the strategic and operational support of its main shareholder.
Bonds of Almacenes Exito account for COP$105,000 million with maturities of 5 and 7 years, being the first tranche due in 2011.
| • News to investors (september 25, 2007) | |
|
Following on our news bulletin to investors posted on September 12, 2007, Almacenes Exito S.A. wants to inform that the trading of Exito´s stock will resume as of September 26 given the approval of the martillo transaction by the Superintendence of Finance.
Please find enclosed copy of the public notice as well as and illustrative document that briefly explains the steps and timetable of a martillo transaction.
| • News to investors (Sep. 12 /2007) | |
| • News to investors (Sep. 6 /2007) | |