Schuh posts record EBITDA to £17.3m

Schuh, which operates 57 stores in the UK and Ireland, increased sales by £12m to £146.4m. It was aided by the revamp of its website in October which Schuh led to an “impressive” increase in site visitors and customer conversions. The relaunch included a new design, an improved search function and a faster checkout process for customers.

Chairman Terry Racionzer said Schuh’s early trading results for the new financial year are encouraging and in line with budgets and plans. However he said factors such as a possible rise in unemployment and future measures to protect the UK economy are expected to “put pressure on disposable incomes thereby delivering an uncertain economic backdrop to future trading in the retail sector”.

In the past year Schuh, which stocks over 90 brands including Converse, Skechers and its own brand, opened three new stores in Swansea, Sunderland and Blanchardstown in Dublin and relocated to larger premises in the Eldon Square shopping centre in Newcastle.

The footwear retailer said it had invested £5m expanding its network of stores and automating its distribution centre in Livingston.

Schuh managing director Colin Temple said: “We are delighted with this performance. The retail sector was more resilient than many commentators predicted last year and the improvements we have made in our product selection and processes meant our people were well positioned to take advantage.”

Mark Crutchley, finance and ecommerce director at Schuh, said: “Our star of the show has been our ecommerce operations but this is dependent on the strength of the Schuh retail brand and our commitment to being the leading multi-channel operator in the footwear market. As a business, our cash-flow remains strong, and we are well positioned to continue our expansion.”

Schuh, which completed a £36m refinancing package in 2008, provided by Bank of Scotland, won awards for Multiple Retailer of the Year and Etailer of the Year at the Drapers Footwear Awards 2010 in May.