E-commerce boss eyes double-digit growth

The Harrogate-based firm, which counts Le Creuset, Hallmark and the Conran Shop among its clients, said profits have risen more than 400 per cent over the past five years to £625,000. Over the same period turnover has grown by 277 per cent to £5.3m.

The company has expanded its e-commerce and design consultancy, eibDIGITAL, which made revenues of £2.65m in the year to 31.

The eibDIGITAL consultancy, which designs websites for retailers, makes up half of the firm’s revenues. The other half sells credit and finance management software to retailers and lenders.

Welcom Software’s chief executive, Nigel Welch, said: “We have posted solid earnings and profits in a year when we underwent a great deal of strategic change.”

The company has expanded its head office staff in Harrogate to a 70-strong team.

“This year has seen us win a number of significant new clients for both sides of the business,” said Mr Welch.

“We have delivered some leading-edge retail and e-commerce websites through eibDIGITAL, and our development of niche finance software through the Welcom brand continues to thrive despite a highly competitive market.

“In addition, high-profile, leading-edge online retailing sites for clients like Le Creuset, Hallmark and the Conran Shop are driving strong growth in e-commerce consultancy and this is where we see the majority of our growth potential over the coming year.”

Its e-commerce and website consultancy customers include HSS Hire, Ryman, Halfords Autocentres and New Look.

“In a rapidly changing retail and online landscape, we are being careful about our exposure to risk, but we still anticipate double-digit growth in revenues in 2012, as well as more recruitment in Yorkshire and London,” said Mr Welch.