SuperGroup sales soar 12.4 percent in Q4

REPORT_ In its interim management statement for the fourth quarter, SuperGroup said that its total sales for the period have

increased 12.4 percent to 97.8 million pounds (165.8 million dollars). The group expects that due to the sales growth in the last period, profit for the full-year will be towards the lower end of consensus. The company delivered a total revenue growth for the financial year to 26 April 2014 of 19.6 percent.

Commenting on the development, Julian Dunkerton, Chief Executive Officer, said, “We have delivered a solid performance over the past year whilst managing a smooth transition to our new distribution centre and the implementation of the merchandising management system. The reaction to our Autumn/Winter 2014/15 collections is encouraging and, with a strong pipeline of new stores, particularly in mainland Europe, positions us well for the year ahead. The strength of the Superdry brand and the investment we have made in our teams leaves me confident in our ability to deliver the growth strategy.”

Total retail sales in the period were up 13.3 percent, but like-for-like sales, affected by the late Easter and product mix, were down 3.1 percent. For the full financial year, sales have grown 17.7 percent to 285.4 million pounds (484 million dollars) and cumulative like-for-like growth is over 3.2 percent or over 4.4 percent on an underlying basis.

Wholesale sales for the period increased 11.2 percent. This performance was impacted by the earlier phasing of sales falling into Q3. For the second half of the financial year, sales increased 22 percent, and rose 23.5 percent for the year as a whole. The group has continued to extend the reach of the Superdry brand, having opened further franchised stores in France, India, Czech Republic, Italy and Indonesia.