New Look today reported a 34% rise in ecommerce sales in its latest financial year, buoyed by partnerships with third-party websites including Asos and Zalando. Sales from its own website grew by 30.4% during the same time.
The fast fashion retailer also unveiled a 115% rise in mobile orders, and said mobile now accounted for 45% of all online visits. Multichannel services contributed, with 28% of online orders picked up in store using click and collect services. Of the customers who pick up in store, said New Look, 19% make a further purchase.
The update came as the company, which last month announced its £780m sale to investment company Brait, today reported sales of £1.4bn in the year to March 28, 3.4% up on the same time last year. Like-for-like sales, which strip out the effect of store openings and closures, grew by 5%, and pre-tax profits more than doubled to £50.6m from £20.7m last time.
It has been a year of fast expansion for New Look, which now has 30 stores in China, and plans to open a further 70 by next March. It has also expanded in the European markets of France, Poland and Germany.
The company now sells through 11 third-party sites including Asos and Zalando.
Thanking staff, chief executive Anders Kristiansen said: ““These strong results demonstrate a year of delivery against our strategy. With the support of our new owners Brait, this is a hugely exciting time for New Look, as we continue to focus on our strategic initiatives of brand, multichannel, international expansion, product development and menswear.
“In the UK, a LFL sales increase of 5.0% is testament to our improved brand signature and multichannel strength. In particular, our considerable high street presence has left us well-placed to capitalise on the growing demand for click-and-collect, with over a quarter of online purchases now collected in-store.
“Internationally, we are making great strides both in Europe and in China. In China, customers have responded positively to our ranges and we see the opportunity for significant growth in the country, with up to a further 50 stores due to open in the coming year.”
New Look was founded in 1969 and now has 800 stores in 21 countries, including 569 in the UK.
