Crew Clothing pre-tax profit up 27%

Crew Clothing, the private equity-backed British fashion retailer, has seen its profits grew by more than a quarter over the year to 30 October. “The economic climate continues to be challenging, but we have produced another good year

of growth despite this, adding more customers and developing our product offering more closely to our customers’ needs, the company said in documents filed at Companies House.

Crew Clothing posted a 27 per cent jump in pre-tax profits to £3.24m over the year to 30 October. Turnover rose by 17 per cent to £40.68m last year.

Crew Clothing also advanced that the board is “cautiously optimistic” about the year ahead. Alastair Parker-Swift, who remains a director, founded Crew Clothing in 1993 after selling rugby shirts and sailing-themed garments from a windsurfing shop in Salcombe, Devon.

Isis Equity Partners acquired 25 per cent of Crew Clothing, which also sells casual shirts and jeans for men and women, as part of a £7.75m deal in 2006, reminded The Independent.

The chain of 60-plus UK shops was boosted by 11 new stores it opened last year as well as a growing online operation.