SuperGroup 'returns to form' in its full year as it plans £30m investment

In the year to April 28, SuperGroup recorded a 14.9% jump in group revenue to £360.4m, while retail like-for-likes jumped 5.7% year on year.

The retailer said this was a result of investing in infrastructure and new management hires in the year.

SuperGroup also said it increased gross margins across the group by 130 basis points to 58.3%.

Online sales soared 27.8% and now contribute 11.2% of group revenue. SuperGroup delivered to 122 territories in the year as it launched 10 new country websites to take its count to 16.

SuperGroup plans to open a trial site in China next year as the country offers “exciting opportunity”. As with the other websites, it will be fulfilled from the UK distribution centre.

In April, the retailer announced it is investing £5m in a new distribution centre in Burton-on-Trent to support its multichannel business.

SuperGroup chief executive Julian Dunkerton said: “The financial performance for the year represents a return to form for the group. Investment in infrastructure and the strengthening of the management team, with some notable new hires, underpin our disciplined growth strategy.

“The enduring appeal of the Superdry brand and the improvements and extensions to the ranges, in particular the progress made in womenswear, gives me confidence that there are significant opportunities for growth across all channels and geographies. I am pleased by the performance of 2013 ranges and the early reaction to 2014 product and remain confident in the prospects for the Group.”

In the year the retailer opened 12 stores and extended five stores across the UK and Europe to increase retail space 13.8% to 536,000 sq ft. In the year ahead it plans to add another 80,000 sq ft to 100,000 sq ft to its estate, focusing mainly in Europe.

It opened 55 franchised stores of which 36 were in Europe. It is planning to open another 50 franchised stores next year.