Fortnum & Mason has announced record sales of over £110m, boosted by a rise in hamper and tea sales.
Sales soared by 14% to £113m for the year ending July 2017, while year-on-year net profit rose by 23% to £7.6m.
Tea sales spiked by 18% and the luxury retailer’s hampers also enjoyed a strong year, with sales up by 15%.
The increase comes in the wake of Aldi’s copycat hamper, which made its debut in Christmas 2016. At the time, CEO Ewan Venters said he wanted to “thank Aldi’s management board” for the publicity and resulting boost to sales.
Fortnum & Mason also posted a 17% increase in its online business, which delivered to more than 120 countries worldwide.
But the retailer said there had also been an “encouraging rise” in domestic sales online and in its London stores.
“I am particularly thrilled by the rise in domestic consumers over the past year,” said Venters. “Customers who care about the taste, quality and sustainability of their food are coming to Fortnums in increasing numbers.”
Venters said he anticipated an equally “busy and successful” Christmas period this year.
“In times of uncertainty, customers turn to brands they trust and we have noticed an upsurge in the sales of traditional products recently,” he revealed. “For example, this Christmas we are seeing a 60% rise in the sales of Advent calendars, priced between £6.95 and £125.
“I am pleased that we are able to fulfil our remit to be the traditional home of Christmas, while not losing sight of our restless quest to innovate and remain relevant to customers from home and abroad.”
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