30th Apr 2026 07:00
30 April 2026
IG Design Group plc
(the "Company", the "Group" or "Design Group")
FY2026 Trading Update and Acquisition of Glenart, S.A.
Revenue, profit and cash ahead of expectations
IG Design Group plc, a leading designer, innovator and manufacturer across various celebration and creative categories, provides an update on its financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2026 and post year-end material developments. The trading update refers to the continuing business of the Group only, excluding adjusting items and losses related to the disposal of DG Americas announced in May 2025.
Trading Update
Following the positive trading update issued in February, the Group has continued to experience good trading momentum, and the Board is pleased to announce that FY2026 results are expected to be ahead of market consensus and Board expectations*. The Group expects to report FY2026 revenues of c$292 million and adjusted operating profit of c$12.8 million, representing an adjusted operating margin of 4.4%, and delivering adjusted profit before tax of c$11.5 million**.
Cash has significantly exceeded expectations with year-end net cash of c$72 million. Excluding c$35 million of outflow in the year relating to DG Americas, the continuing Group generated over $20 million of cash during the year, reflecting strong working capital management and $4 million of proceeds from the sale of a surplus UK warehouse. The Group has a strong balance sheet position and an update on the future capital allocation policy will be provided in our full-year results.
The Board acknowledges the ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, including cost pressures, inflation, and softer consumer confidence, and remains cautious in its outlook. However, the Board is encouraged by FY2026 results and the clear outperformance against expectations set earlier in the year. Together with the recently announced appointment of a Group CEO, this provides a solid platform for continued progress against the Group's long-term strategic growth pillars.
Acquisition of Glenart, S.A.
The Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of 100 percent of the equity interest in Glenart Trading Proprietary Limited, Marcorp Marketing Consultants Proprietary Limited and Glenart Trading Limited (collectively referred to as 'Glenart S.A.') for a total consideration of c£5.3 million (including c£1.3m of cash within the business and working capital adjustments). The consideration comprises an initial cash payment of c£3.4 million, with deferred consideration payable over three years, and additional potential earn-out consideration contingent on future business performance. The acquisition is financed from working capital and expected to be earnings enhancing. For the year ended 28 February 2026, the business reported unaudited revenues of c£4million, PBIT of c£0.8 million and EBITDA of c£1million, from a net asset base of c£2.7 million.
Glenart S.A. is a South African manufacturer within the Group's "Celebrate" category, with a particular strength in crackers, and is therefore highly complementary to the Group's existing operations. The business generates the majority of its revenues in South Africa, the UK and the USA, and operates across similar mass-market and trade channels to the Group. The Board considers the acquisition a bolt-on, strategically aligned and a compelling opportunity to expand the Group's geographical presence in a complementary product offering.
* Current guidance: revenue $280-285 million, adjusted operating margin 4% and cash $55-60 million. We believe consensus to be revenue $282 million, adjusted operating margin 4% and cash $56 million.
** The Group intends to adopt GBP as its presentational currency for consolidated financial statements, replacing USD, effective from the FY2026 full-year results.
For further information, please contact: | |
IG Design Group plc | Tel: +44 (0)1525 887310 |
Stewart Gilliland, Interim Executive Chair | |
Rohan Cummings, Chief Financial Officer | |
Canaccord Genuity Limited (Nomad and Broker) | Tel: +44 (0)20 7523 8000 |
Bobbie Hilliam | |
Elizabeth Halley-Stott | |
Alma Strategic Communications | Tel: +44 (0)20 3405 0205 |
Rebecca Sanders-Hewett | |
Sam Modlin | |
Will Merison |
Notes to Editors:
IG Design Group plc is one of the world's leading designers, innovators and manufacturers of gift packaging, greeting cards, stationery, creative play products and related items. The Group designs, sources and manufactures a broad portfolio of products across multiple categories and occasions, encompassing every day, seasonal and celebration ranges.
The Group operates across key international markets, with a strong presence in the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia. Its products are sold to a diverse customer base including major retailers and supermarkets such as Tesco, Costco and Aldi, as well as discounters, online platforms and independent stores. The Group's heritage brand, Tom Smith, holds a Royal Warrant for the supply of Christmas crackers and Christmas wrapping paper to the Royal Family, a distinction it has held continuously since 1906.
Across IG Design Group's global teams, it manages a portfolio of more than 22,000 SKUs, supplying over 550 million units annually to customers in approximately 70 countries. The Group operates a vertically integrated model, combining in‑house design expertise with global sourcing, manufacturing, distribution and fulfilment capabilities. Its manufacturing footprint includes three facilities located in Wales, the Netherlands and Poland. This integrated platform enables the Group to deliver innovative, responsibly sourced products at scale, while maintaining cost efficiency, speed to market and flexibility.
IG Design Group plc is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.
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