Fortnum & Mason today reported a 17% boost to online sales in its latest financial year, with deliveries sent to more than 120 countries.
The online growth came as sales reached a record £113m in the year to July 2017, 14% up on the same time last year. That represents the fifth year in a row of double digit sales rises at the luxury food and drink retailer, a Top350 retailer in IRUK Top500 research. Profits of £7.6m were 23% up on last time. Sales rose both at home and abroad, onlie and in its London stores. A new store opened in South Korea, where it plans to open three more in the coming year.
“I am particularly thrilled by the rise in domestic consumers over the past year,” said Ewan Venters, chief executive of Fortnum’s. “Customers who care about the taste, quality and sustainability of their food are coming to Fortnum’s in increasing numbers, be it in our stores or online.”
Sales of Fortnum’s hampers were up by 15% on last year, while its tea sales rose by 18%, and fragrance and beauty products by 21%. Some 82% of turnover came from products made in the UK. Fortnum’s chairman Kate Hobhouse said: “We are particularly proud of our British heritage and i am delighted we are helping many artisanal businesses in all corners of the nation.”
The retailer is predicting a record Christmas. “Our mission is to provide a sense of pleasure to our customers, whether they shop online or in person,” said Hobhouse. “We will continue to offer them products which delight, and seek to provide them with an incomparable customer experience.
“I anticipate our Christmas period will be the best on record, and I look forward to even more improvement on our financial position next year.”
Fortnum & Mason has seen strong online sales growth since it launched a fully-responsive website in 2015. At the time it said it aimed to take its customer service online
