Angling Direct PLC Pre-Close Trading Update (0630F)
February 16 2018 - 1:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMANG
RNS Number : 0630F
Angling Direct PLC
16 February 2018
16(th) February 2018
Angling Direct PLC
("Angling Direct" or "the Company")
Pre-Close Trading Update
Angling Direct PLC (AIM: ANG.L), the UK's leading fishing tackle
retailer, is pleased to announce the following pre-close trading
update ahead of the publication of its financial results for the 12
months ended 31 January 2018.
Revenue for the financial period was ahead of expectations,
increasing by c.44 per cent to GBP30.2 million in the 12 months to
31 January 2018 compared with the same period the previous year
(2017: GBP21.0 million).
Significant revenue growth was achieved across the Company's
retail and e-commerce divisions. Continued investment in the
Company's e-commerce platform and operations resulted in a c.54 per
cent increase of direct sales year on year, backed by several
recent months of over 1.0m visits to the Company's own website
www.anglingdirect.co.uk. Retail sales in-stores were up c.40 per
cent year on year, and like for like sales in-stores were up by
c.10 per cent.
The Directors acknowledge that the growing uncertainty across
the wider economic and consumer environment, as well as structural
changes in retail buying habits, is likely to result in increased
price competition. However, as demonstrated during the past year,
the Company has benefitted from its continued investment in
e-commerce and marketing, resulting in greater brand awareness, and
as the market leader the Directors believe Angling Direct is best
placed to succeed in this evolving retail environment. The
Directors also expect the Company to continue to increase its share
of the UK angling retail market through both organic and acquired
growth.
The Company has previously indicated its intention to explore
growth opportunities in overseas European markets, and particularly
those that have similar angling techniques and fish species to that
of the UK. Angling Direct is already attracting regular custom from
outside of the UK and last year generated revenue from over 40
countries, with all sales coming through the
www.anglingdirect.co.uk website. The Company expects to invest more
resources this year into growing overseas sales, and to support
this it will be introducing country specific websites to drive this
growth.
New store openings and sustained online growth, with both
Angling Direct and Fosters of Birmingham brands, offers the Group a
very positive outlook despite higher labour costs and increased
margin pressure. The Board remains confident of continued strong
growth this year and beyond.
The Company intends to issue its full year results on 14th May
2018.
This announcement contains inside information.
For further information:
Angling Direct PLC +44 (0) 1603 258658
Martyn Page, Executive Chairman
Darren Bailey, Chief Executive
Officer
Cenkos Securities - NOMAD and
Broker +44 (0) 20 7397 8900
Bobbie Hilliam (Corporate Finance)
Russell Kerr (Sales)
Yellow Jersey PR - Financial PR
Charles Goodwin +44 (0) 7747 788 221
Harriet Jackson +44 (0) 7544 275 882
Notes for editors
About Angling Direct plc
Angling Direct is the largest specialist fishing tackle retailer
in the UK. The Company sells fishing tackle products and related
equipment through its network of 21 retail stores, located
throughout the UK, as well as through its own website
(www.anglingdirect.co.uk) and other third party websites.
The Company currently sells over 21,500 fishing tackle products,
including capital items, consumables, luggage and clothing. The
Company also owns and sells fishing tackle products under its own
brand 'Advanta', which was formally launched in March 2016.
From 1986 to 2003 the Company's Founders acquired interests in a
number of small independent fishing tackle shops in Norfolk and, in
2003, they acquired a significant premises in Norwich, which was
branded Angling Direct. Since 2003, the Company has continued to
acquire or open new stores, taking the total number up to 21 retail
stores. In 2015 the Company opened a 30,000 sq ft central
distribution centre in Rackheath, Norfolk, where the Company's head
office is also located.
Angling Direct's shares are traded on the AIM market of the
London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ANG.L.
For further information, please visit
www.anglingdirect.co.uk
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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