May 15 (Reuters) - Michael Hill International Ltd MHJ.AX :
* PLANS UNDERWAY TO COMMENCE OPENING PROGRESSIVE TRANCHES OF CANADIAN STORES FROM LATE MAY
* WILL NOT REOPEN SOME UNDERPERFORMING STORES (TO DATE, 5 IN AUSTRALIA, 3 IN NEW ZEALAND & 1 IN CANADA)
* CEO DANIEL BRACKEN RECENTLY UNDERWENT SURGERY & WILL NEED A REDUCED WORK LOAD FOR NEXT FEW WEEKS
* FURTHER STORE CLOSURES LIKELY ACROSS ALL MARKETS, BASED ON STORE PERFORMANCE, OUTCOME OF LANDLORD NEGOTIATIONS
* "STILL ANTICIPATES AN ONGOING IMPACT ON REVENUE AND PROFITABILITY DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE"
* DIGITAL BUSINESS SAW BIG BOOST IN SALES IN LAST 3-WKS; OUTPERFORMS PRIOR RECORD DIGITAL SALES WEEK FROM CHRISTMAS 2019