Skip to main content
BoF Logo

The Business of Fashion

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

Boohoo Weathers Supply Chain Failings With 32% Jump in Sales

Boohoo campaign.
Boohoo campaign. (Boohoo)

British online fashion retailer Boohoo weathered negative publicity over its supply chain failings, reporting a 32 percent rise in sales in its latest quarter, benefiting from rising demand as lockdown restrictions eased and the integration of new brands.

Boohoo, which sells clothing, shoes, accessories and beauty products aimed at 16 to 40-year olds, said revenue rose 32 percent to £486.1 million ($686.8 million) in the three months to May 31 compared to the same period last year.

“I am delighted with our performance in the first quarter, particularly as it was always going to be challenging to produce strong growth rates on last year, when lockdowns around the globe drove such high traffic to online retailers,” chief executive John Lyttle said.

Shares in the group were down 0.5 percent at 07:24 GMT, extending year-on-year losses to 12 percent and giving the group a market capitalisation of £4.1 billion.

ADVERTISEMENT

In September, Boohoo accepted all the recommendations of an independent review that found major failings in its supply chain in England after newspaper allegations about working conditions and low pay in factories in the Leicester area.

The group pledged to fix the problems with its ‘Agenda for Change’ programme and in March revealed a major consolidation in its list of British suppliers.

Boohoo reported on the programme on Tuesday, saying it had made “excellent progress.” It said it was on track to publish a global supplier list in September and continued to review its manufacturing supplier base.

Some shareholder advisory groups remain dissatisfied.

Glass Lewis has recommended investors vote against the reappointment to the board of Boohoo co-founder Carol Kane at Friday’s annual general meeting, amid concerns over governance and high pay. It has also recommended investors vote against Boohoo’s remuneration report.

In January, Boohoo purchased the Debenhams brand out of administration for £55 million and in February bought the Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Burton brands from the administrators of Arcadia for £25.2 million.

Boohoo said the former Arcadia brands had been successfully integrated into its multi-brand business, adding that a new Debenhams online department store had been launched.

Boohoo maintained its guidance for full year 2021-2022 revenue growth of about 25 percent, with an overall core earnings (EBITDA) margin of 9.5-10 percent.

By James Davey; Editors: Sarah Young, Louise Heavens and Edmund Blair

In This Article
Topics
Organisations

© 2024 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions

More from Retail
Analysis and advice from the front lines of the retail transformation.

Op-Ed | How Long Can Adidas Surf the ‘Terrace’ Trend?

As a push to maximise sales of its popular Samba model starts to weigh on its desirability, the German sportswear giant is betting on other retro sneaker styles to tap surging demand for the 1980s ‘Terrace’ look. But fashion cycles come and go, cautions Andrea Felsted.


How Rent the Runway Came Back From the Brink

The rental platform saw its stock soar last week after predicting it would hit a key profitability metric this year. A new marketing push and more robust inventory are the key to unlocking elusive growth, CEO Jenn Hyman tells BoF.


view more

Subscribe to the BoF Daily Digest

The essential daily round-up of fashion news, analysis, and breaking news alerts.

The Business of Fashion

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
CONNECT WITH US ON
The Business of Beauty Global Awards - Deadline 30 April 2024
© 2024 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy and Accessibility Statement.
The Business of Beauty Global Awards - Deadline 30 April 2024