American golf swings into big sales rise

American golf, one of Europe’s leading multi-channel specialist retailers of golf equipment and accessories saw its sales rise 20 per cent to £86.6m in the 12 months to January. The company, which operates a portfolio of 83 stores, said a combination of positive like-for-like sales, the acceleration of its store rollout and refit programme and the strong growth of its online channel had helped it to achieve a strong performance.

It has stores in York; Hull; Wakefield; Moortown, near Leeds; and Menston, near Guiseley.

The business said its like for like sales had accelerated sharply.

It reported a 13.9 per cent increase over the 13 weeks to May 1.

During this period, its Wakefield and York stores recorded record sales figures in weeks 11 and 12 respectively.

Following the acquisition of SW Golf, the operator of the onlinegolf.co.uk brand, last March, American golf said its internet channel now represented more than 15 per cent of total sales, with further investment online planned over the next six months.

Nick Wood, the chief executive of American golf, said: “We’ve made excellent progress with our growth strategy over the last 12 months despite one of the toughest climates for retail for several decades.

“Our clear proposition as a specialist, multi-channel retailer – with the broadest range, superior product knowledge, a quality in-store execution and unrivalled value – has helped us achieve strong and sustained growth across both our store and online operations.

“Looking ahead, we have an excellent opportunity to grow further by expanding our footprint in the south of England.”