Christmas Trading Update

11 January 2017

Joules Group Plc

('Joules' or the 'Group')

Christmas Trading Update

Joules delivers another strong Christmas trading period performance

Joules, the British premium lifestyle brand, today updates on the Christmas trading performance of its retail business for the seven-week period to 8 January 2017.

Joules delivered a strong performance over the Christmas period with total retail sales* up 22.8% against the comparable period last year. Retail gross margin rate, over the same period, is expected to be marginally ahead of the prior year. This outcome reflects continued strong growth across both the Store and E-commerce channels.

Colin Porter, CEO, commented:

"This strong outcome over the important Christmas trading period reflects the growing awareness and strength of the Joules brand.

The success of our disciplined, multi-channel, sales strategy across this important trading period is made possible by the dedication and commitment of our team. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their hard work."

Joules will announce its Interim results for the 26-week period ended 27 November 2016 on Tuesday 31 January 2017.

This announcement contains inside information.

*Retail sales are stated including VAT and returns received, or anticipated, from sales in the period. Retail sales in this statement include Stores and E-commerce channels and exclude the Shows channel. At the start of the trading statement period, Joules operated 107 stores compared to 96 at the same point last year.

Enquiries:

About Joules

Joules is a British, premium lifestyle brand. The Group designs and sells Joules branded clothing, footwear, accessories and homeware and operates a balanced multi-channel proposition which encompasses retail (stores and e-commerce), wholesale and other smaller channels such as country shows and events and licensing.

Joules has 107** UK and ROI stores, a customer database of approximately 2.3 million** customers, an established e-commerce platform and a fast growing international presence. Joules is also a top selling wholesale brand in major UK retailers such as John Lewis and Next Label. In November 2016, Joules won the prestigious "Mainstream Brand of the Year" award at the 2016 Drapers Awards. This followed the business's recognition as "Fashion Retail Business of the Year"*** at the 2015 awards.

The Joules brand is at the heart of the business and encompasses values of "time-off", heritage, countryside, Britishness, family and fun. These brand values are reflected in the product designs, which are recognisable for their distinctive colours, prints, detail and quality.

www.joules.com 

www.joulesgroup.com

** Figures are stated as at 27 November 2016

*** £30-£100 million turnover category