Pre-tax profit leaps at The Range

Earnings rose from £20.3m in 2011 to £26m in the year to January 29 while turnover rose from £249.4m to £296.7m, according to documents filed at Companies House.

Owner Chris Dawson said he was “satisfied” with the results but that there is “room for improvement”.

He told Retail Week: ” I’m never pleased. I’m satisfied. It’s okay.”

Dawson said that the trading environment remains difficult and there is little prospect of an improvement. He said: “Conditions are going to go on for some time. Anyone who thinks it will go back to what it was like five years ago is in Disney World.”

Dawson added that The Range has store openings planned in Tamworth and St Helens.

The retailer added to its head count in the last year, mainly shop floor staff. The Range now employs 240 people at its head office, up from 220 the year before, while store staff numbers inscreased from 3,227 the previous year to 3,920 in the most recent financial year.

Conlumino managing director Neil Saunders said: “The Range is delivering a very relevant offer. It has sharp pricng, interesting products and destination stores which are aill very attractive to in this environment.

“They have a driven and focused entreprenuerial management. From, being very small 10 years ago, it has been a really impressive expansion.”