Rating Rationale
February 05, 2018 | Mumbai
Riches Jewel Arcade Llp
Rating upgraded to 'CRISIL BBB/Stable'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.65 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB/Stable (Upgraded from 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has upgraded its rating on the long term bank facilities of Riches Jewel Arcade Llp (RJAL, part of Malabar Group) to 'CRISIL BBB/Stable' from 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable'.
 
The rating upgrade reflects improvement in RJAL's business and financial profile. RJAL reported revenues of Rs. 577 crores in fiscal 2017 with operating margin of 4.4% (improved from Rs. 532 crores and 3.6% in fiscal 2016). The firm is expected to maintain revenue growth and operating margins in fiscal 2018. Higher profitability while maintaining debt levels lead to improvement in debt protection metrics while maintaining capital structure. The upgrade also takes into account expected merger of RJAL with Malabar Gold Pvt Ltd (MGPL, rated CRISIL BBB+/Stable) in the near term.
 
The rating continues to reflect Malabar Group's established presence in gold jewellery business backed by strong presence of 'Malabar Gold and Diamonds' brand primarily in southern India and strong financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by RJAL's susceptibility to intense competition and exposure to regulatory risks. 

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established market position and management's extensive experience in the jewellery retailing business: Malabar Group is one of the largest gold jewellery retailer in India with industry presence of over three decades. Its brand 'Malabar Gold and Diamonds'?, has strong recall particularly in Southern states of India; it currently has presence pan-India with over 90 showrooms as on date at group level. The management has been prudent in its approach with respect to opening of new stores, and has added new stores at a pace of caution over the years. The management's extensive industry experience, procurement channels, insight into the consumer buying patterns and established brand is expected to augur well for the firm over the longer term.
 
* Strong financial risk profile: As on March 31, 2017, networth was at Rs 151.9 crore and gearing was comfortable at 0.18 times, on account of controlled reliance on external funds. The gearing is estimated to remain at similar levels over the medium term backed by healthy accretions, and controlled working capital and capital expenditure requirements. Debt protection metrics were healthy, with interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios at 7.4 times and 0.67 times, respectively, for fiscal 2017; it is expected to remain at similar levels due to moderate operating margins and low debt levels.
 
Weaknesses
* Susceptibility to intense competition and exposure to regulatory risks: Revenue and profitability are susceptible to intense competition in the jewellery industry, and to volatility in gold and diamond prices. As the firms expands, especially in newer geographies, it could face severe competition from local players and from other national brands. RJAL also remains exposed to regulatory risks in the gold jewellery sector, which has seen heightened regulatory action over the recent past. These regulatory changes impacted RJAL's performance in the past. The introduction of goods and service tax (GST) on the other hand, is expected to benefit organised jewellers including RJAL over the medium term. Nevertheless, performance of organised sector players, including RJAL, will continue to be exposed to regulatory risks.
Outlook: Stable
CRISIL believes that RJAL will continue to benefit from established brand in the jewellery market and the strong financial flexibility of its promoters. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if sustained improvement in revenue and profitability, leads to better financial risk profile or if the stake of MGPL, increases substantially in RJAL. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if lower-than-expected revenue or operating profitability, or working capital cycle stretches, weakens the financial risk profile.
About the Firm

Incorporated in 2011, RJAL operates six jewellery retail showroom in Kerala. Currently MGPL and the promoters hold around 53% stake in the firm.
 
MGPL is the flagship company of the Kerala-based Malabar group, promoted by Mr. M P Ahammed and his family and friends. It manufactures gold and diamond jewellery, and operates 21 retail showrooms across India. MGPL also acts a franchisor company for all other showrooms in the Malabar Group, and provides jewellery designing and manufacturing services for the group.
 
The Malabar group has retail operations in 10 countries, but these are managed separately. The group is also into real estate development, but this business has no cash flow fungibility with the jewellery business.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs cr 577.2 531.72
Profit after tax Rs cr 16.57 10.15
PAT margin % 2.9 1.9
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.18 0.18
Interest coverage Times 7.43 5.77

Any other information: Not applicable

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 Cr)
Rating Assigned with Outlook
N.A Cash Credit N.A. N.A. N.A. 30.00 CRISIL BBB/Stable
N.A Proposed Cash Credit Limit N.A. N.A. N.A. 35.00 CRISIL BBB/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Quantum Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  65  CRISIL BBB/Stable    No Rating Change  24-04-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  31-03-16  CRISIL BBB-/Watch Positive    No Rating Change  CRISIL BB-/Stable 
                14-01-16  CRISIL BB-/Watch Developing       
Table reflects instances where rating is changed or freshly assigned. 'No Rating Change' implies that there was no rating change under the release.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit 30 CRISIL BBB/Stable Cash Credit 30 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Proposed Cash Credit Limit 35 CRISIL BBB/Stable Proposed Cash Credit Limit 35 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Total 65 -- Total 65 --
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

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