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Stock Analysis & ValuationQUIZ plc (QUIZ.L)

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£0.60
Sector Valuation Confidence Level
Moderate
Valuation methodValue, £Upside, %
Artificial intelligence (AI)n/an/a
Intrinsic value (DCF)n/a
Graham-Dodd Methodn/a
Graham Formula0.10-83

Strategic Investment Analysis

Company Overview

QUIZ plc is a UK-based fashion retailer specializing in occasion wear and dressy casual wear for young women aged 16 to 35. Operating under the QUIZ brand, the company designs and retails clothing, footwear, and accessories through a multi-channel approach, including standalone stores, concessions, franchises, and e-commerce platforms. As of March 2022, QUIZ had a presence in the UK, Ireland, and internationally through 62 standalone stores, 69 concessions, 82 franchise and wholesale points of sale across 19 countries, and online partnerships. Headquartered in Glasgow, QUIZ plc was founded in 1993 and has built a reputation for trendy, affordable fashion. The company operates in the highly competitive apparel retail sector, catering to the fast-fashion segment with a focus on social occasions and night-out attire. Its omnichannel strategy combines physical retail with digital platforms to reach its target demographic effectively.

Investment Summary

QUIZ plc presents a high-risk, high-reward investment opportunity in the volatile fast-fashion retail sector. The company's negative net income (£6.275 million loss) and operating cash flow (-£771k) in the reported period raise concerns about its near-term profitability, exacerbated by its high beta of 1.608 indicating significant market volatility sensitivity. However, its £81.96 million revenue demonstrates continued market demand for its product offering. The lack of dividends and £12.19 million in total debt against just £284k in cash equivalents suggests financial strain. Investors should weigh QUIZ's strong brand recognition among young UK consumers against intense competition in fast fashion and the company's current financial challenges. The stock may appeal to growth-oriented investors betting on a turnaround in the post-pandemic occasion wear market.

Competitive Analysis

QUIZ operates in the highly competitive value fashion segment, competing against both fast-fashion giants and specialty occasion wear retailers. Its competitive advantage lies in its focused positioning as a destination for affordable going-out wear, a niche that differentiates it from broader fast-fashion competitors. The company's vertically integrated design and sourcing allow for relatively quick response to fashion trends. However, QUIZ faces significant challenges from larger competitors with greater scale advantages in purchasing, marketing, and digital capabilities. The company's concession model in department stores provides valuable retail space but may limit margin potential. Internationally, QUIZ's franchise model reduces risk but also limits control and profit potential. Digital transformation remains a critical challenge as online pure-plays capture increasing market share. QUIZ's target demographic (16-35 year old women) is particularly sensitive to both fashion trends and economic conditions, creating both opportunity and volatility. The company's relatively small scale makes it vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures that larger competitors can better absorb.

Major Competitors

  • boohoo group plc (BOO.L): boohoo is a pure-play online fast fashion retailer with strong digital capabilities and a broader product range than QUIZ. Its strengths include rapid product turnover and strong social media marketing, but it lacks QUIZ's physical retail presence and occasion wear focus. boohoo's larger scale provides cost advantages but it has faced recent challenges with supply chain ethics concerns.
  • ASOS plc (ASC.L): ASOS is a global online fashion destination with a much wider product assortment than QUIZ. Its strengths include international reach and strong technology platform, but it lacks QUIZ's specialized occasion wear focus and physical retail touchpoints. ASOS has struggled recently with profitability despite higher sales volumes.
  • JD Sports Fashion plc (JD.L): JD Sports dominates UK sports-inspired casualwear with significant retail scale. While not a direct competitor in occasion wear, it competes for similar young consumer spending. JD's strengths include strong vendor relationships and retail execution, but it has less focus on QUIZ's core dressy casual segment.
  • Frasers Group plc (FRAS.L): Frasers Group (owner of Missguided) competes in value fashion through its extensive retail portfolio. Its strengths include diversified brands and significant physical retail presence, but it lacks QUIZ's focused brand identity. Frasers' scale provides advantages in purchasing and retail real estate.
  • PrettyLittleThing (PSON.L): PrettyLittleThing (owned by boohoo) directly competes with QUIZ in occasion wear for young women, with a strong online presence and influencer marketing approach. Its strengths include digital-native operations and rapid trend response, but it lacks QUIZ's physical retail footprint and standalone brand identity.
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