Rating Rationale
October 30, 2021 | Mumbai
TCNS Clothing Co. Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.75 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL A+/Negative (Reaffirmed)
Short Term RatingCRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities

Detailed Rationale

CRISIL Ratings has reaffirmed its ratings on the bank facilities of TCNS Clothing Co. Limited (TCNS) at 'CRISIL A+/Negative/CRISIL A1+'.

 

The continuation of negative outlook reflects CRISIL's belief that TCNS’ business risk profile could remain under pressure over the medium term. Despite ramp-up of operations in Q3 and Q4 of fiscal 2021 post gradual opening of economy, the company has booked revenue of Rs. 636 crore and operating losses of -2.87% in Fiscal 2021 (as against revenue of Rs. 1,149 crore and profitability of 16.49% in Fiscal 2020). The operations of TCNS stood impacted in Q1 of fiscal 2022 as well due to Covid second wave, wherein it achieved Rs. 94 crore of revenue, and operating losses of around -25%.

 

As its stores are now fully operational, the footfalls are expected to improve with the current festive season and shall drive the revenues growth in coming quarters. The operations of the company turning EBIDTA positive on a sustainable basis as sales ramp-up would remain a key rating sensitivity factor.

 

The ratings continue to reflect the company’s strong brand equity, its focus on design and marketing, pan-India market reach, and established position in the women's ethnic wear segment. The ratings also factor in a strong financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by large working capital requirement and exposure to intense competition in the textile garments business.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description

Strengths:

  • Healthy business risk profile: The business risk profile is supported by TCNS’ strong brand equity, large retail footprint, and an in-house design team. Garments are retailed under the W, Aurelia, Elleven and Wishful brands, which cater to different segments, through specific pricing strategies. W brand contributes more than 50% of total operating income, followed by Aurelia brand in range of 30-40% and Wishful at below 10% over past 4 years. Elleven brand is the newest and sales under the same are miniscule.

 

  • Strong financial risk profile and liquidity: The company had low debt as on March 31, 2021 with gearing at 0.01 times. Debt protection metrics were robust, indicated by adjusted interest coverage of 5 times for three years ending fiscal 2020, though declining in fiscal 2021 to 1.33 times due to Covid impact. Gearing and debt protection metrics will remain comfortable over the medium term on account of negligible debt. TCNS has liquid funds of around Rs 186 crore in the form of cash and mutual funds as on March 31, 2021. Despite moderation in scale during Fiscal 2021 and stretching of working capital requirements, the company has been able to maintain similar level of liquidity as in pre Covid levels indicating prudent cash flow management. The maintenance of such liquidity over the long term shall remain critical to CRISIL’s rating.

 

 Weaknesses:

  •  Large working capital requirement: Gross current assets (GCAs) were at 271 days (net off cash) as on March 31, 2021, driven by sizable inventory of 161 days and moderate receivables of 95 days (as against 126 days and 56 days respective as on March 31, 2020). The business model necessitates conceptualization and manufacturing of garments well in advance, and hence, maintenance of large number of units for each season, resulting in large inventory. With improvement in scale, the bank limit was utilised sparsely, though dependence on payables persists.

 

  • Exposure to intense competition in the women's retail ethnic wear segment: Competition in the women's retail ethnic wear segment is becoming intense, notwithstanding the strong growth momentum. The company has been ramping up its retail distribution network and advertising campaigns to sustain growth and maintain brand awareness. However, other established brands, such as Biba, Fab India, Meena Bazaar, Global Desi, and Anokhi, in addition to several regional brands also pursue such strategies. Furthermore, the ever-changing nature of trends makes it imperative to revamp the portfolio periodically. The company’s ability to constantly innovate and update its portfolio will, therefore, remain a key monitorable.

Liquidity: Strong

Liquidity is supported by sizeable cash accrual, nil bank limit utilisation and healthy current ratio. Cash accrual of Rs 100-150 crore is expected over the medium term (in Fiscals 2022 and Fiscal 2023) against nil debt repayment obligations. The bank limit utilisation levels remained low the past twelve months through June 2021. Cash and bank balance and investment in mutual funds was Rs 16 crore and Rs 172 crore respectively as on March 31, 2021. Further, current ratio was at 3.71 times as on March 31, 2021.

Outlook: Negative

CRISIL Ratings believes TCNS’ business risk profile might remain under pressure in Fiscal 2022 on account of impact of Covid and reduced footfalls at operational stores due to the same.

Rating Sensitivity Factors

Upward factors:

  • Positive operating profitability on sustainable basis over next two quarters of current Fiscal year
  • Growth in cash accrual, driven by better than anticipated revenues and operating margins
  • Improvement in working capital cycle

 

Downward factors:

  • Substantial increase in working capital requirement with GCA days remaining high above 250 days, weakening the liquidity and financial risk profile
  • Continued losses at operating levels or slower than expected ramp-up of business.

About the Company

TCNS was set up in December 1997 by the promoters, Mr OS Pasricha and Mr AS Pasricha and is a professionally managed company listed on the BSE and the NSE. The company manufactures and retails ethnic and fusion women's wear. Garments are retailed through exclusive stores, multi-brand outlets, and chains such as Lifestyle, Reliance Trends, Pantaloons, Big Bazaar, and Shoppers Stop. It has 549 exclusive stores in more than 100 cities as on date.

Key Financial Indicators

As on/for the period ended March 31

 Unit

2021

2020

Operating income

Rs.Crore

635.94

1,149.00

Reported profit after tax

Rs.Crore

-56.38

69.41

PAT margins

%

-8.87

6.04

Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Net worth

Times

0.01

0.02

Interest coverage

Times

1.33

5.48

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL Ratings' complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL Ratings' complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL Ratings' 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)

Complexity level

Rating assigned with outlook

NA

Cash Credit

NA

NA

NA

36.0

NA

CRISIL A+/Negative

NA

Working Capital

Facility

NA

NA

NA

31.0

NA

CRISIL A+/Negative

NA

Proposed Short-Term Bank Loan Facility

NA

NA

NA

8.0

NA

CRISIL A1+

Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2021 (History) 2020  2019  2018  Start of 2018
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund Based Facilities LT/ST 75.0 CRISIL A+/Negative / CRISIL A1+   -- 17-07-20 CRISIL A+/Negative / CRISIL A1+ 24-05-19 CRISIL A1+ / CRISIL A+/Stable 31-03-18 CRISIL A1+ / CRISIL A+/Stable CRISIL A/Stable
      --   --   -- 25-04-19 CRISIL A1+ / CRISIL A+/Stable   -- --
Non-Fund Based Facilities ST   --   --   -- 25-04-19 CRISIL A1+ 31-03-18 CRISIL A1+ CRISIL A1
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Name of Lender Rating
Cash Credit 36 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL A+/Negative
Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 8 Not Applicable CRISIL A1+
Working Capital Facility 31 Citibank N. A. CRISIL A+/Negative

This Annexure has been updated on 29-Oct-2021 in line with the lender-wise facility details as on 18-Aug-2021 received from the rated entity.

Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating Criteria for Retailing Industry
CRISILs Approach to Recognising Default
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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