Asos outperforms the market
The online fashion retailer, whose high-profile fans include singer Rita Ora and former US First Lady Michelle Obama, said its group revenues rose 22 per cent to £824m in the four months to June 30.
The increase in sales comes at a time when the company is rapidly expanding its main warehouse in Barnsley, which is the town’s biggest private sector employer with around 4,000 people working at the site.
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Hide AdThe company said work is continuing at the warehouse to increase its stockholding capacity through the construction of an additional mezzanine, which will increase capacity by a further 10 per cent and is near to completion.
The construction is part of a £13m investment in the site which will also deliver upgrades to the restaurant, locker rooms, relaxation spaces, the introduction of a well-being centre, as well a new office space and additional car parking provision.
The site has increased the minimum wage to the UK Living Wage Foundation rate of £8.75 for all workers after three months service and intends to create 500 fixed term contracts around Christmas. It has also maintained 60 warehousing apprentices through its relationship with Barnsley College.
Asos said its UK retail sales rose 23 per cent to £288m, while sales in the EU rose 31 per cent to £257m.
In the US, sales increased 15 per cent to £108m.
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Hide AdAsos said it expects its pre-tax profit to be in line with consensus forecasts for the year.
While Asos and online rival Boohoo continue to report robust sales growth, traditional bricks and mortar clothing retailers like Marks & Spencer, Debenhams and House of Fraser are struggling and closing stores.
Asos chief executive Nick Beighton said: "I am pleased with the way the business has traded over the last four months and we are on track with our plans for the year.
"We delivered good sales growth, particularly in the UK, better-than-planned gross margin alongside significant progress on our infrastructure investments."
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Hide AdThe trading update comes days after Asos announced that Adam Crozier, the former boss of ITV and Royal Mail, would become its chairman.
He is also chairman at Whitbread, the firm behind Costa Coffee and Premier Inn.
Mr Crozier will succeed Brian McBride when he steps down on November 29 after six years heading the board.