19th Sep 2013 07:39
LONDON (Alliance News) - ASOS PLC Thursday reported a 47% rise in retail sales in its final quarter of the year, and said that for the full year retail sales were up 40%.
The online clothing and beauty retailer said that it expects its full-year pretax profit to be marginally above expectations. It said that its active customers at the year end was up 42% year on year, to 7.1 million customers.
ASOS said that retail sales rose to GBP208 million in the three months to August 31, and to GBP753.8 million for the full year.
It said that EU retail sales grew the most in the final quarter, with a 73% increase to GBP53.0 million.
US retail sales was the second biggest international gainer, with sales up 59% to GBP20.9 million, and retail sales for the rest of the world up 26%.
Overall, international sales were up 47% to GBP133.8 million in the final three months of its financial year, and 44% for the whole year. It also said that international sales made up 64% of its total sales, compared with 65% last year.
ASOS reported a 49% increase in UK retail sales in the fourth quarter to GBP74.1 million, and a 34% increase to GBP276.0 million in the year to August 31.
It said that group revenues, including retail sales, delivery receipts and third party revenues, rose 46% in the final quarter, and was up 39% in the financial year, to GBP769.4 million.
The company reported a 460-basis-point rise in its retail gross margin in the final quarter, and said its full-year retail gross margin was up 100 basis points on the prior year.
"International growth continues to be driven by the countries in which we have dedicated websites and in-country teams, and was particularly strong in Europe, driven by France, Germany, Italy and Spain. We also saw strong growth in the US and in Russia, following the launch of our Russian website," said Chief Executive Officer Nick Robertson in a statement.
On September 2, ASOS announced a large logistics deal with UK logistics and transport company, Norbert Dentressangle, for a three-year contract for Norbert Dentressangle to manage its worldwide distribution centre.
The company is expected to release its full year results on October 23.
ASOS shares were up 9.7% at 5,310.00 pence per share early Thursday.
By Rowena Harris-Doughty; [email protected]; @rharrisdoughty
Copyright 2013 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Related Shares:
ASOS