Singapore, July 7, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – NextGen Retail Inc (“NextGen Retail”), the online retail arm of Society Pass Incorporated (“SoPa”) (Nasdaq: SOPA), Southeast Asia’s (SEA) next generation, data-driven, loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem, today announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire 95% of PT Inetindo Info (“Inetindo”), a wholly subsidiary of Story-I Limited (“Story-I”) (ASX: SRY). Inetindo is a leading Indonesia-based Apple Premium Reseller and Authorised Education Partner as well as an electronic gaming retailer for several different gaming companies.
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Subject to Australian Stock Exchange (“ASX”) and Story-I shareholder approvals, anticipated by September 2023, NextGen Retail, formerly known as Leflair Inc, will complete its first acquisition outside of Vietnam in the large and fast growing Indonesian market. Through cross-selling synergies, the Inetindo acquisition will accelerate the growth of SoPa’s other Indonesian businesses, including NusaTrip Inc and Thoughtful Media Inc.
NextGen Retail acquires Inetindo with its physical and intangible assets in an all-cash transaction valued at AUD 2.78 million equal to approximately US$1.85 million based on current exchange rates. Operating in Indonesia since 2010, Inetindo employs approximately 300 employees and operates 26 “Story-I” branded Apple stores in 9 cities across Indonesia. As an Apple Authorised Education Partner and Apple Authorised Service Provider, respectively, Inetindo sells Apple devices and solutions to leading international schools and tertiary institutions and repairs Apple products at its service centres.
With the easing of COVID restrictions in March 2022, Indonesia’s fast growing middle class and soaring digital adoption have fueled a rebound in online and offline retail traffic back to pre-pandemic levels. Inetindo’s financial performance has responded accordingly. Unaudited 1H FY23 (July to December 2022) revenues totaled AUD 20.9 million (US$13.9 million) compared to 1H FY22 revenues of AUD16.3 million, representing an increase of 28% year-on-year. Similarly, unaudited 1H FY23 gross profit of AUD 2.9 millon (US$1.9 million) grew 16% from 1H FY22 gross profit of AUD 2.5 million (US$1.6 million). As of 31 December 2022, Story-I’s assets totaled AUD 25.44 million (US$16.7 million).
Overall FY 2022 (July 2021 to June 2022) revenues and gross profit totaled AUD 42.4 million and AUD 6.0 million, representing increases of 1.2% and 0.7% over the prior corresponding period, respectively.
Michael Chan, Founder and Executive Director of Story-I, comments, “Society Pass’s acquisition of Inetindo and the Story-I brand creates a win-win-win transaction for all parties involved. First, our shareholders win as the acquisition consideration represents a 15% premium to Story-I’s market capitalisation over the past 45 trading days and allows Story-I to continue under a new name. Second, Inetindo’s partners and employees win as Society Pass is well capitalised to quickly expand Inetindo’s retailing and maintenance businesses throughout Indonesia. I wish Society Pass and NextGen Retail the best of luck as they take over a strong brand in Indonesia. Although we exit the Indonesia electronics retailing business, we are excited about both Story-I’s and Inetindo’s future prospects.”
The Indonesian economy is the largest in SEA and the 16th largest in the world with a 2023 nominal gross domestic product of US$1.39 trillon. OECD forecasts Indonesia’s real GDP growth to be 4.7% in 2023 and 5.1% in 2024. EcommerceDB estimates the Indonesian Electronics & Media eCommerce market to reach US$13.8 billion by 2023 and to increase to US$18.0 billion by 2027, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%.
Loic Gautier, CEO of NextGen Retail Inc, explains the acquisition’s rationale, “The Story-I acquisition is the natural evolution of our Leflair Vietnam business. As we venture out of Vietnam and into the rest of SEA, we will transform how customers access the world’s most desirable brands through our integrated omni-channel, online-to-offline retail platform. NextGen Retail’s mission is the following:
● provide brands with a one-stop distribution solution to access consumers across SEA;
● integrate all sales channels for maximum brand awareness and sales performance;
● provide Asian consumers with access to the world’s best brands;
● serve our customers anywhere and provide them with personalized shopping experience;
● deliver best-in-class customer experience.”
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and completion of ASX regulatory review and Story-I’s shareholder approvals. The deal is anticipated to close by September 2023 and is expected to be accretive to SoPa’s non-GAAP earnings per share upon close.
