Leasing agreements in which a substantial portion of the risks and
benefits of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating
leases. Finance leases exist when the financial risks and benefits
associated with the ownership of an object are essentially transferred
from the lessor to the lessee, regardless of whether the legal ownership
lies with the lessor or the lessee. Assets held under finance leases
are reported as fixed assets and future payment commitments are
reported
as liabilities in the balance sheet. As of the closing date the
group had no finance leases. Minimum lease fees for operating leases
are recognised in the income statement as an expense and distributed
linearly over the term of the agreement. The group’s main leases are
rental agreements for premises. Variable (sales-based) rents are recognised
in the same period as the corresponding sales