The White Company has unveiled surging profits in its full-year against strong comparables and despite a “difficult trading environment”.

The upmarket lifestyle brand said pre-tax profits, excluding exceptional items, grew 50% to £17.2m in its full-year to March 26.

Sales rose 12.6% to £184.3m in the 12 months, during which the retailer opened two new stores in Meadowhall and Birmingham.

The White Company, which started as a catalogue business in 1994, also reported “significant growth” in the second full year of its US direct business.

Sales in its fragrance category were particularly strong – up 29% – while its home and dining sales increased 26%.

The White Company chief executive Will Kernan said: “These record financial results, against the backdrop of a very strong year to March 2015 and a difficult trading environment are a reflection of the talent, hard work and dedication within and across the entire organisation.”

Current trading

Kernan added that, in its current financial year, the business will continue to invest in enhancing the customer experience, both through “world-class new stores across the UK” and online.

Since the year-end The White Company has opened new stores in Marylebone, Leeds, Liverpool, Bicester and Chelmsford, taking its UK portfolio to 56 shops. 

However, the retailer closed its 11 franchised stores in the Middle East earlier this year.

 

 

 

 

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